California

RandySF

(70,613 posts) Mon Nov 11, 2024, 12:35 PM Nov 11

Anti-slavery measure Prop. 6 fails, allowing forced labor to continue in California prisons

In a setback to California’s historic reparations effort, voters rejected a ballot measure that would have ended forced labor in prisons and jails. Proposition 6 garnered support from Democratic party leaders, labor unions and dozens of advocacy groups who viewed their efforts as part of a national movement to end a racist legacy and abolish slavery.

The measure would have amended the state’s constitution to repeal language that allows involuntary servitude as a form of criminal punishment, making work assignments voluntary and allowing incarcerated people to prioritize their rehabilitation.

“While it’s disappointing that our measure to remove slavery from California’s constitution was not approved by the voters, this setback does not end the fight,” wrote Democratic Assemblymember Lori Wilson from Suisun City in a statement on Friday morning. “Together, we will continue pushing forward to ensure that our state’s constitution reflects the values of equality and freedom that all Californians deserve.”

California mandates tens of thousands of incarcerated people to work at jobs – many of which they do not choose — ranging from packaging nuts to doing dishes, to making license plates, sanitizer and furniture for less than 74 cents an hour, according to legislative summaries of prison work.

https://calmatters.org/politics/elections/2024/11/california-election-result-proposition-6-fails/

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Anti-slavery measure Prop. 6 fails, allowing forced labor to continue in California prisons (Original Post) RandySF Nov 11 OP

Why? DBoon Nov 11 #1

Most voters don't think we punish criminals anywhere nearly harshly enough The Mouth Nov 11 #2

If you look at the voting map for CA, the coast is generally blue, most of inland in red. For this prop, LauraInLA Nov 11 #3

Damn! Prop 33 rent control really died. Crap. CoopersDad Nov 11 #4

Yep. I'm curious about the minimum wage prop, since a lot of ballots remain to count in Los Angeles County. LauraInLA Nov 11 #5

Super tight but minimum wage looks like it won't pass. CoopersDad Nov 11 #6

DBoon

(23,052 posts)

1. Why?

Reply to RandySF (Original post)

Mon Nov 11, 2024, 12:47 PM

Nov 11

Are California voters afraid crime will go up without forced prison labor?

The Mouth

(3,285 posts)

2. Most voters don't think we punish criminals anywhere nearly harshly enough

Reply to DBoon (Reply #1)

Mon Nov 11, 2024, 02:45 PM

Nov 11

I think the common concensus is if you do $500 in damage or steal $500, you should have to work until you have paid it off.

The idea that 'crime' is cause by oppression and lack of opportunity instead of the personal dishonesty and criminality of the perpetrator is pretty much limited to a minorty of the most progressive voters in even the most progressive state.