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‘This is my way out.’ In Maine, remote work gives prisoners a lifeline. (www.bostonglobe.com)

submitted 2 days ago by misk@sopuli.xyz to c/technology@lemmy.world

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[–] tibi@lemmy.world 15 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

In the US, the purpose of incarceration is cheap slave labor, which is why oligarchs like it this way. Can't have that if inmates have rights and are allowed to have non-slave jobs.

Prison workers in the US are generally exempt from workers' rights and occupational safety protections, including when seriously injured or killed.[43][39] Often times, inmates that are often overworked through penal labor do not receive any proper education or opportunities of "rehabilitation" to maximize profits off the cheap labor produced.[44] Many incarcerated workers also struggle to purchase basic necessities as prices of goods continue to soar, meanwhile prison wages continue to stay the same.

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That's only true in some parts of the US, in many (most?) parts, you cannot force an inmate to work or tie that decision to adjustments to time served. Unfortunately, the eighth amendment isn't enough to prevent this problem in far too many jurisdictions.

[–] AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

That may be true in theory, and on paper. I know for a fact that in PA, KY, FL, and DC that if you get voluntold to work while in jail, and refuse, then they will put you in solitary confinement until you "adjust your attitude."

Bear in mind that most people in jail are still considered "innocent" because they haven't been to court yet.