Should companies be free to use prison labour?
YES • It’s a win-win situation that brings benefits to both prisoners and society. • In a global economy, prisoners provide a local and cheap alternative to immigration. • Reoffending rates are lower for people who have worked because work boosts their chances of being re-employed. NO • It’s a new form of slavery because it provides cheap labour and thus drives down wages among non-prison workers. • Harsh and inflexible drug laws disproportionately incarcerate black Americans. • Prison labour leaves the criminal justice system wide open to corruption and exploitation.
