California's Prop 6 fails, forced prison labor to continue
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California voters have rejected a measure amending the state Constitution to ban forced labor in any form. The constitution currently bans it except as punishment for crime.
That exemption became a target of criminal justice advocates who are concerned about prison labor conditions. People who are incarcerated are often paid less than $1 an hour to fight fires, clean cells and do landscaping work at cemeteries.
The initiative was included in a package of reparations proposals introduced by lawmakers as part of an effort to atone and offer redress for a history of racism and discrimination against Black Californians.
Prop 6 aims to ban forced prison labor in California
Proposition 6 is asking California voters to pass a ban on forced prison labor, which is currently allowed under the state's constitution.
Several other states, including Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont, have in recent years approved constitutional amendments removing slavery and involuntary servitude exceptions.
J Vasquez, of Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice, told KTVU that he spent 25 years in prison and for the last five years, he’s been working on prison reform by trying to pass measures like Proposition 6. Prop 6 would have banned forced labor in California’s prisons and Vasquez says he may know why the measure failed.
"I think if we had a better message of political education about how Article 1, Section 6 Exception clause got into the California constitution in the first place, how it’s directly tied to slavery, I think most people would say, that’s not what our values are," said Vasquez.
Prop 6 failed 53% to 46% and there were no opposition statements presented to voters. Vasquez says forced labor inhibits an inmate’s ability to rehabilitate, and they’re punished if they don’t work assigned jobs including cooking, cleaning and even firefighting. The California Dept. of Correction and Rehabilitation says it doesn’t comment on propositions, but did say in part:
"Beginning April 16, 2024, CDCR increased wages of incarcerated workers as part of its commitment to preparing individuals for successful reintegration into their communities. The decision, informed by input from employees, incarcerated individuals, and community organizations, aims to allow incarcerated people to work fewer hours while participating in rehabilitative programs."
Vasquez says if Prop 6 had passed, inmates would have more say in the jobs they do, be able to take off if sick, and have more time to rehabilitate without being punished.
"People will still continue to work; it’s just people will no longer be punished for not working," said Vasquez.
Vasquez says they plan to reintroduce the issue of forced prison labor in 2026.
KTVU's LaMonica Peters contributed to this report.