Forced prison labor will stay in California after ballot measure fails

Californians rejected a state ballot initiative in which would have eliminated involuntary servitude for those serving prison sentences. Nearly 54% of voters rejected Proposition 6. The Associated Press reported that 72% of the vote has been counted so far.

Some residents refer to the conditions in the state’s prisons as modern-day slavery or forced labor.

Jobs given to prisoners may net them less than $1 an hour. Declining these jobs can even reportedly cause delays in parole eligibility or other severe consequences.

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Instead of involuntary work assignments, Proposition 6 would have encouraged prisons to set up a volunteer work assignment program, taking time off sentences in the form of credits. Cities and counties would have also been encouraged to set up pay scales for inmates.

This proposition wasn’t the only reform initiative in front of voters on Election Day. Proposition 36, the “tough-on-crime” measure, voters overwhelmingly backed the legislation, passing with nearly 70% of voter’s support.

According to the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, Proposition 36 will change a number of things in the state. Some misdemeanors will become felonies for those with past convictions. The proposal will also lengthen some felony sentences, like theft or damage of property and some felonies are now required to be served in prison, such as sentences for selling certain drugs.

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Advocates for Proposition 6 said voters were not educated enough about the measure and had a hard time separating it from Proposition 36. California would have joined 15 other states which have already closed forced labor loopholes.

Nevada voted to close the a loophole, with around 60% of voters supporting the measure on Election Day in 2024. It removed language from the state’s constitution, which allowed slavery and indentured servitude as a type of punishment.