How can us prisons justify paying inmate employees as little as a dollar per day?

Question

is it legal for a business to use cheap prison labor?

Answer 1

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime where of the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

-US Constitution, Amendment 13

They don't have to pay them anything at all if they don't want to. It used to be legal for inmates to be used as free/cheap labor for private citizens and/or private companies, but that was outlawed some time around 40 or 50 years ago. Now convicts can only work involuntarily without pay if its for the government.

Answer 2

There criminals, HELLO

Answer 3

i think the more correct way to look at it is that the us prison paying these inmates are more or less rewarding them with an income.

Answer 4

Dude, Shaw Shank Redemption was a Movie. And it happens in the 40's 50's and 60's. Put down the water pipe.

Answer 5

they get free room and board

they are not paying back the cost of imprisonment

They should be paid ZERO