Voters Lean Toward Keeping Forced Prison Labor In Early Prop 6 Results

CALIFORNIA — Voters in the November election have decided whether to end forced prison labor in California. The polls in California closed at 8 p.m. and the votes are now being tallied.

As of 9:42 a.m. Wednesday, with all precincts reporting, the no votes were leading with 54.9 percent.

(Scroll down for real-time results)

Proposition 6 would amend the state Constitution to ban involuntary servitude, which is currently permitted as punishment for crime.

Real-time results for Proposition 6

Scroll down to view the full statewide results. This information will be updated throughout the night. Be sure to refresh the page for the latest.

A "yes" vote on Prop. 6 would end mandatory work requirements for inmates and make jobs voluntary. The state would also be prohibited from disciplining prisoners who refuse to work.
A "no" vote would maintain the constitutional provision that allows involuntary servitude as punishment for crime in the state.

The proposition was placed on the ballot by state lawmakers. Assemblymember Lori Wilson, a Democrat from Suisun City and chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, authored the proposition, also known as the End Slavery in California Act, which aims to remove the exception clause that allows indentured servitude.

Supporters argue that prisoners are often retaliated against for turning down dangerous or life-threatening assignments.

"After spending decades in the California prison system, I've seen the brutal realities of forced labor up close," Donald Hooker, an incarcerated artist and author wrote for CalMatters. "Inmates, including myself, are often compelled to work long hours under the threat of punishment. The tasks are physically demanding and mentally taxing, with little to no compensation.

"This system dehumanizes us, treating us like commodities rather than individuals with rights."

Last year more than 65 percent of incarcerated Californians reported being forced to work in prison, working as firefighters and paving roads, according to ACLU California Action, which supports the proposition. Governments and private companies generate and save, collectively, at least $1 billion dollars each year from their labor, the organization said.

Other supporters include the California Legislative Black Caucus and the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, among other groups.

There are no official opponents.

Several other states have adopted similar measures that ended involuntary servitude as punishment for crimes. Those states include Alabama, Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah and Vermont.

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