Urges Congress to propose amendment to United States Constitution to prohibit use of slavery or indentured servitude for individuals convicted of crime.
Impact
The resolution highlights the conditions of a significant portion of the incarcerated population in the United States, where many individuals are subjected to compulsory labor that often pays mere cents on the dollar. It notes that roughly 2.3 million people are incarcerated in the U.S., with many working for little or no pay in private correctional facilities. By advocating for a constitutional amendment, SR53 seeks to address both moral and ethical concerns regarding the treatment of incarcerated individuals and their exploitation for profit within the prison industrial complex.
Summary
Senate Resolution No. 53 (SR53) urges Congress to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution that would explicitly prohibit the use of slavery and indentured servitude for individuals convicted of crimes. This resolution is informed by the Thirteenth Amendment, which technically abolishes slavery but allows for it as a punishment for crimes. The intent behind SR53 is to eliminate this exception and prevent individuals in the criminal justice system from being subjected to forced labor without proper compensation.
Contention
This resolution raises important questions regarding the balance between punishment and human rights. Supporters argue that abolishing the exception in the Thirteenth Amendment would reinforce the dignity of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, while critics may express concerns over implications for the criminal justice system and the potential impacts on prison labor programs. The discussion surrounding SR53 touches on broader themes in society, including the reform of systemic injustices faced by marginalized communities within the legal framework.
Carry Over
Urges Congress to propose amendment to United States Constitution to prohibit use of slavery or indentured servitude for individuals convicted of crime.
Urges Congress to propose amendment to United States Constitution to prohibit use of slavery or indentured servitude for individuals convicted of crime.
Urging the Congress of the United States to pass a constitutional amendment that provides that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed as a punishment for a crime.
Urging the Congress of the United States to pass a constitutional amendment that provides that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed as a punishment for a crime.
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.
Directing the State Preservation Board to initiate steps to provide for the replacement of the Children of the Confederacy plaque with a plaque to honor victims of the state's convict leasing system.