If someone is convicted of a crime (let’s say robbery), receives a prison sentence and is required to work while in prison…is that really slavery?

Slavery?

See what they are doing... giving criminals rights they gave up when they broke the law... sorry criminal get to work for once in your life...

I am 100% with making those in prison be productive in any way possible. They should have to work at least 5 days a week in what ever manner the state sees fit. Make them work in planted fields, help build or repair household item or yard work for elderly and vets. They should find a way for them to learn a skill that will pay their way while in prison and to be used after prison time is over. Playing ball, lifting weights and reading books are a definite no go. There should be a fear of many days of hard work for anyone considering a crime that will send them to the pin.

what's next..is it slavery to tell school children what to do or even your own kids?

I haven't heard anything about this. So my first thought is that I could see it being an issue with the privatization of prisons. More inmates equaling more free labor for a private company sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Send the criminals a bill prior to release then. No pay, no release.

I remember seeing chain gangs on the side of the roads in Arkansas cutting grass with sling blades. We didn’t have the crime then that we do now so it might have worked on some.

Any profits earned from inmate labor should go to charity or something. I'm not against inmates being put to work in any way, but a group of white male shareholders earning profit of that work seems like a slippery slope to me.

How about using it to offset their housing costs? They should pay room and board at the exclusive club where they became members.

The screen shot of the article says voters will decide whether or not to close loopholes that allow inmates to be forced to work. It’s already happening. Five states will decide if it should stop.

I'm ok with that. I would also be ok with alternative forms of rehabilitation for non-violent offenders.

public execution... High noon Saturdays Court house lawn.

Slavery, eh? Working without pay, eh?

Are they paying cash or credit card for their meals, rooms, and medical care?

Put em on a rock pile