Our Ask:
It is our moral duty to amend the N.J. Constitution to forbid prison slavery/involuntary servitude and finally complete the journey New Jersey began in 1804 to abolish slavery. NJ History
The Cause of the Problem:
Because the New Jersey Constitution does not cover slavery, the law defaults to the 13th Amendment of the US Constitution, which makes slavery or involuntary servitude unlawful,
“except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.”
New Jersey ‘s criminal justice system focuses on punishment and dehumanization and puts a low priority on rehabilitation. Slavery and involuntary servitude are just one part of that approach.
The Root of the Problem:
- The U.S. has roughly 5% of the world’s population but 25% of the world’s prison population World data
- Although the incarceration rate in N.J is less than the average in the U.S., the ratio of black to white detainees it is much higher. State Data
- New Jersey was the last northern state to abolish non-prison slavery on January 22, 1866, acting a full year after Congress had passed the 13th amendment. Ratification
- Prisoners in N.J. are forced to work for nothing or very low wages. A prisoner is “lucky” to make $4 a day Wages. Refusal to do work can result in retaliation in the form of the loss of “privileges,” delay in parole and even solitary confinement.
- 7 States have abolished slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for crimes. Several others are working toward abolition. Will New Jersey be last again?
- The lack of focus on rehabilitation and increasing financial stress on returning citizens means that they are more likely to continue to be burdens on society rather than contributing members of it.
The Consequences:
- There are many other problems with the incarceration systems in the U.S. which need to be addressed. However, low or zero wages contribute to the misconception that ever harsher, exploitive, and more inhumane treatment is a way to reduce crime.
- The NJ prison system supports a financial incentive to exploit incarcerated individuals.
- NJ teaches those individuals that exploitation is the way to succeed, and their work has little value.
- Financial benefits to the prison system support other efforts to increase the prison population rather than to improve the system.
- Low or no pay incentivize prisoners to use inappropriate means, e.g. coercion of other inmates, selling illegal substances, in order to meet necessary prison expenses such as paying for unreasonably expensive phone calls, copays for medical visits, and hygiene items and other basics.
- Incarcerated individuals often enter prison with debts for court costs, child support and more. The inability to make reasonable wages means that they are unable to pay off some of those debts and may result in even higher debt upon release. The lack of financial resources coupled with the difficulty of finding meaningful work increase the chances that the returning citizen will revert to criminal activity in order to support themselves and end up back in prison.