This Juneteenth, Corporate America Must Take a Stand Against Prison Slavery

“Denied standard worker protections, incarcerated people are the most vulnerable and exploited workers in the United States. Still, many corporations rely on prison labor in a variety of ways. Some supply raw materials to prison factories, others purchase produce and livestock from prison farms, and still others directly employ incarcerated workers both inside and outside of prisons.

“We begin our challenge of the corporate use of prison labor with the food industry, in which it is perhaps most akin to chattel slavery.

“Many incarcerated workers are laboring on prison farms situated on former antebellum plantations. They harvest crops, raise livestock, process food, and staff storefronts for some of the nation’s most popular brands. They often work in dangerous conditions — with many suffering injury or worse — and if paid at all, their wages are garnished.

“This is all thanks to the exception in the 13th Amendment that allows slavery to be imposed as criminal punishment. It’s time that corporate America takes a stand to end it.

“We’re calling on all corporations to stop their use of prison labor, institute policies to prohibit prison labor in their supply chains, and endorse the Abolition Amendment. Tell your favorite brands to get on board!”

Sign the petition now at EndTheException.com.

JustLeadershipUSA is proud to be a partner in the #EndTheException campaign.