Many of us are quarantined, waiting to see what’s next as news pours in about the coronavirus (COVID-19). It’s hard to know what to do, with some states quickly reopening despite the danger and others playing it safe.
But there are some people who HAVE to keep laboring through the crisis - for next to nothing!
People locked up across the nation are doing hard labor at a high risk, because several states “rely on unpaid prison labor for tasks including road maintenance, sewage treatment, and moving services for government buildings.” They’re taking a huge risk doing this work.
People in prison being forced to do hard labor are at high risk of exposure. Not to mention, people enslaved by this system are doing essential work - but they’re not GETTING PAID.
They could die for nothing, doing things you probably wouldn’t imagine.
Almost every state is doing this. They’re even forced to do riskier work like digging mass graves, disinfecting equipment, producing hand sanitizer, manufacturing protective equipment, and more.
If they work to save lives, they should be PAID and credited for their work like anyone else!
People that are locked up should be treated with dignity just like anyone else. Being behind bars doesn’t mean they’re not human.
If they’re good enough to do some of the most important labor this country needs, they’re good enough to be offered the respect this system never gives!