On Nov. 5, California voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution to ban involuntary servitude in the prison system.
Proposition 6 would eliminate involuntary work assignments as a form of punishment and bar the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from disciplining incarcerated individuals who refuse or are unable to work. In place of these punishments, Proposition 6 would permit the department to reward incarcerated individuals who participate in work assignments with time off their sentencing.
The proposition would amend Article 1, Section 6 of the California Constitution, which currently states, “Slavery is prohibited. Involuntary servitude is prohibited except to punish crime.” Section 6 would be replaced with language that continues to prohibit slavery, but also prohibits the use of involuntary servitude.
A survey by the ACLU found that 64% of the 23,921 inmates interviewed feared punishment – such as solitary confinement and loss of family visitations if they refused to or could not work.
Supporters of Proposition 6 view involuntary servitude as a form of slavery and maintain that the U.S. Constitution forbids any such practice in the country.
Yes on Prop 6 states on their website regarding the proposition, “By eliminating provisions that allow for involuntary servitude in prisons, Proposition 6 seeks to end what is essentially a modern form of forced labor.”
The California Republican Party opposes Proposition 6 according to the endorsement page located on their website.
There has yet to be a formal argument submitted by any organization that opposes Proposition 6.
A “Yes” vote on Proposition 6 would amend the California Constitution to prohibit involuntary servitude in the prison system, instead allowing the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to award inmates who voluntarily work with reduced sentences.
A “No” vote on Proposition 6 would result in the California Constitution Article 1 – Section 6 remaining unchanged and continuing to permit the prison system to assign mandatory work assignments under the fear of punishment.
