U.S. inmates in at least 17 states on Thursday began their third day of strikes to demand higher wages for doing work release jobs, in which they are often paid around $1 per hour.
Protesters who agree that the payment structure is unfair are calling it “modern slavery.”
“These men and women are demanding humane living conditions, access to rehabilitation, sentencing reform and the end of modern day slavery,” said Jailhouse Lawyers Speak, an incarcerated workers organizing committee.
On average, inmates working non-industry jobs make an average of 63 cents per hour, while those in industry jobs make an average of $1.41 per hour, according to Axios.
Jailhouse Lawyers Speak said in a press release that the inmates will continue to engage in cessation of work, boycotts, hunger strikes and sit-ins into the beginning of September.
PRESS RELEASE:
NATIONAL PRISON STRIKE AUGUST 21-SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2018 pic.twitter.com/Mzbb4e96yp
— Jailhouse Lawyers Speak #August21 (@JailLawSpeak) April 24, 2018
The protests were launched Tuesday in response to the riot at Lee Correctional Institute in South Carolina earlier this month where seven inmates were killed and 17 were seriously injured.
Inmates’ demands include higher wages, job right upon release, restoration of voting rights for felony convictions after release, and abolition of the death penalty, among others, according to Jailhouse Lawyers Speak.
Around 700,000 prisoners in the U.S. have daily jobs at places such as Whole Foods, Walmart, and even the 2,000 inmates fighting the wildfires in California. However, most have little chance of obtaining employment opportunities after they are released due to licensing rules.
President Trump plans to meet with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, adviser Jared Kushner, and Office of American Innovation lawyer Brooke Rollins Thursday to discuss a prison reform package, sourced told Axios.
The package is currently being negotiated between the White House and members from both parties.
