California and Nevada voters will have the opportunity in November to vote on measures that seek to ban forced prison labor by removing language from their state constitutions that has historical ties to chattel slavery. The proposed measures aim to protect incarcerated individuals from being compelled to work under the threat of punishment, a practice that is prevalent in both states.
In Nevada, approximately 10,000 incarcerated individuals are required to work or participate in vocational training for 40 hours per week, with some earning as little as 35 cents per hour. The proposed changes in both states come at a significant time, coinciding with a historic election and Vice President Kamala Harris' groundbreaking bid for the presidency.
