Breakdown:

1. Introduction: The Illusion of Freedom in Modern Slavery
   • Incarcerated individuals in Alabama are forced into labor under conditions that resemble slavery.
   • Corporations and government agencies profit from cheap labor provided by prison systems, with inmates working for little to no compensation.
   • This system benefits businesses while keeping incarcerated individuals trapped in a cycle of exploitation.
2. The Prison-to-Work Pipeline: A Coordinated System
   • Alabama’s Department of Corrections (DOC) farms out incarcerated people to work at major corporations, including McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s.
   • These workers often work alongside the general public, but despite their labor, they are denied the opportunity for true freedom.
   • The system is designed to provide free or nearly free labor while maintaining control over incarcerated workers.
3. Unequal Treatment and Exploitation in the Workplace
   • Incarcerated workers face harsher conditions compared to free-world workers.
   • Many are overworked, denied basic rights like days off, and treated as machines, with little regard for their health or well-being.
   • Despite performing essential jobs, these workers have no legal protections or recourse if they are mistreated.
4. Unconstitutional Conditions in Alabama’s Prisons
   • Alabama’s prison system is overcrowded and dangerous, with an average of one person dying each day in 2023.
   • Prisoners are subjected to horrific conditions, including inadequate healthcare and abuse from both staff and fellow inmates.
   • Many incarcerated people, especially those with nonviolent offenses, are pressured into work programs as a means of survival.
5. Financial Exploitation: The State’s Profit from Prison Labor
   • The state of Alabama takes a significant portion of incarcerated workers’ wages, including 40% off the top before taxes, as well as fees for transportation, laundry, and restitution.
   • Workers often receive as little as $200 for 80 hours of labor, further demoralizing them and stripping away their motivation.
   • Alabama profits over $450 million annually from prison labor, creating a system of financial exploitation.
6. Coercion and Punishment for Refusing to Work
   • Incarcerated individuals are not free to refuse work, as DOC rules mandate compliance.
   • Punishments for refusing to work include solitary confinement, loss of family visitation rights, and additional forced labor inside the prison.
   • This coercion makes it clear that incarcerated workers are trapped in a system designed to exploit their labor without providing any meaningful path to freedom.
7. The Broken Parole System: Denied Freedom Despite Trust
   • Even when incarcerated individuals prove themselves capable of working alongside the general public, they are frequently denied parole.
   • Alabama’s parole board grants parole in only 8% of cases, despite its own guidelines suggesting a much higher rate of approval.
   • This contradiction highlights the state’s interest in keeping incarcerated individuals in the labor system rather than granting them their freedom.
8. Conclusion: A Call for Reform and Accountability
   • The exploitation of incarcerated workers in Alabama is a form of modern slavery, with corporations and the state profiting from their forced labor.
   • The prison labor system must be reformed to provide fair wages, humane treatment, and a legitimate path to freedom for incarcerated individuals.
   • Ending this exploitative cycle is essential to upholding basic human rights and creating a more just society.