4 ms·

That is arguably a violation of the 13th admentment: >Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have

That is arguably a violation of the 13th admentment: >Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. Unless the work was part of the sentence (which I think is totally fair, as a term of restitution) I don't see how what they did was legal. You might want to talk to the ACLU.

jcranmer 9y ago
Note the clause: > except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, SCOTUS has ruled that prison labor does not violate the 13th amendment.
- Jun8 9y ago
  True, here's a good writeup on the subject: https://prisonlaw.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/prison-labor-and-the-thirteenth-amendment/ https://prisonlaw.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/prison-labor-and-.... Mind boggling! Also, "The Thirteenth Amendment has also been interpreted to permit the government to require certain forms of public service, presumably extending to military service and jury duty." (https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/a-common-interpretation-the-thirteenth-amendment/ https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/a-common-interpretation-...)
  - opo 9y ago
    >...Also, "The Thirteenth Amendment has also been interpreted to permit the government to require certain forms of public service, presumably extending to military service and jury duty.” That’s a handy excuse to use to justify involuntary servitude. I guess they feel the part about "except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted,“ wasn’t meant to be taken seriously.