Dear *|MMERGE3|*,


 

It’s time we hear directly from those suffering prison slavery

There are over 800,000 people enslaved in U.S. prisons. Over the past three years, the #EndTheException campaign has corresponded with over 200 of them by mail. In their letters, they have shared detailed accounts of their experiences with slavery as incarcerated workers — from meager or no wages and threats of punishment to unsafe working conditions and their acts of resistance. Their stories and analyses have been influential in our efforts to pass the Abolition Amendment and finally end the exception in the 13th Amendment that allows slavery as punishment for a crime. 

Their voices deserve to be heard, and now they can be. 

Today, we’re are launching the #EndTheException letter archive to provide a glimpse into the labor stories of incarcerated workers. Guided by those inside, the archive will enable visitors to walk through the prison landscape and learn about the various jobs people hold. In their words, you will hear about the impact that the exception in the 13th Amendment has had. How it has enabled the exploitation of incarcerated workers and their families, who are disproportionately Black and brown and often struggle without the financial support of their loved ones. 

The lack of wages and basic worker protections are described in letters from people like Alissa H., who is incarcerated in Arizona. Working in a garment factory that she describes as a sweatshop, she’s paid just $0.50 per hour as the government reaps the benefits of her sweat. Antoine L. “worked on the farm... picking vegetables in 90 degree to 100 degree heat... under the watch of a shotgun toting racist” while incarcerated in Alabama. For his work, he was paid “3 peanut butter sandwiches a day, no money at all.” Lee S., incarcerated in Colorado, is “forced to work for literally pennies a day or face the penalties for refusal,” which can include a write up, loss of commissary access, or even solitary confinement.

While many of these letters are harrowing, many are also hopeful that things can and will change. We hope that reading through these letters compels you to take action and join our struggle to end slavery for all.

Sincerely,
Sam Lewis

Chief Executive Officer
Anti-Recidivism Coalition