# Plain Language Summary: Constitutional Amendment to Abolish Slavery as Criminal Punishment

This proposed constitutional amendment would permanently ban the use of slavery and forced labor as punishment for crimes in the United States. Right now, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery everywhere except as a punishment for people convicted of crimes. This bill would close that loophole by removing that exception entirely.

Currently, when someone is convicted of a crime, the government can legally force them to work without pay as part of their sentence. This happens in prisons and jails across the country, where incarcerated people are required to work in prison industries, maintenance, kitchens, and other jobs—often for little or no compensation. The amendment would make this practice unconstitutional and illegal. It would mean that even as punishment for a crime, the government cannot force anyone to work against their will or without fair compensation.

This change would primarily affect incarcerated people, who would gain protection against forced unpaid labor. It could also have broader implications for how prisons operate and how they generate revenue from inmate labor. Some states and the federal government currently rely on prison labor programs as part of their correctional system and budget. If this amendment passes, prisons would need to find alternative ways to manage operations and fund programs, potentially through increased government spending or changes to how prison work programs are structured.

To become law, this constitutional amendment would need to be approved by two-thirds of both the House and Senate, and then ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures. It represents a significant shift in how America treats incarcerated people and would eliminate one of the last remaining legal forms of forced labor in the country.

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime.

Merkley, Jeff

<p>This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment.&nbsp;</p>