John, many people don’t realize that when the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution abolished slavery, it left an exception: 'except as a punishment for a crime.' Over the last century and a half, this language has enabled and expanded the exploitation of incarcerated people in our country’s prisons.

Fair labor standards are virtually nonexistent in U.S. prisons. Incarcerated people are often compelled to work in abusive and unsafe conditions. They work for little to no pay, on average making between 13 and 52 cents per hour.

No one deserves to be exploited like this.

It is time that we end the cruel labor practices, workplace discrimination, and economic exploitation of people incarcerated in the U.S. prison system.

I just introduced a package of four bills to address head-on the inhumane and unacceptable prison labor conditions in America’s correctional facilities. If you agree that we must end the unfair and abusive labor policies in prisons, add your name as a citizen cosponsor of my legislation today.

My four bills, titled the Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act of 2023, the Correctional Facilities Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Ensuring Work Opportunities in Correctional Facilities Act, and the Combating Workplace Discrimination in Correctional Facilities Act would mandate the treatment of incarcerated workers as employees.

It would require routine reports on workplace safety and labor conditions to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

It would remove the phrase “refusing to work” from the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ inmate behaviors list, which has been used to punish incarcerated people with few options under federal law to fight for their civil rights.

John, we all must speak out against these injustices and correct the contradictions in our nation’s prison system. Join me by adding your name as a citizen cosponsor of my legislation today.

Thank you for your courage in speaking out on behalf of our fellow human beings who for too long have been without a voice while incarcerated. Our legislation has the potential to change millions of lives for the better.

With love and gratitude,

Cory