Prison Labor Wages by State

The infographic reimagines Du Bois’s original data portrait titled, “Proportion of Freemen and Slaves Among American Negros.” In his original work Du Bois is tracking arguments in the institution of Slavery in the U.S. by showing the recorded freemen and slave populations. Starting at 1790 when the Pennsylvania Society lead by Benjamin Franklin presented a petition to the First Congress urging them to take action against slavery. The timeline ends at 1860 representing the last years of the American Civil War which ended with the abolition of slavery as the law of the land through the 13th Amendment. We pick up from here by invoking the 13th Amendment and the living legacy of slavery in the form of the American Prison-Industrial Complex. The 13th Amendment itself makes clear the carceral system would be the new front for slavery in the U.S. Our work focuses on comparing the Federal Minimum Wage (black) to prisoner wages (DOC orange) though its various work programs. This reveals quite clearly that the crux of arguments for slavery has always been about slave labor vs. free labor and is the main legislative concession to the Confederates within the amendment after their “Lost Cause.” Currently, California Assembly women Lori Wilson intends to introduce a new anti-slavery amendment, for the state’s 2026 ballot which would challenge prison labor practices.  

The 13th Amendment: “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.”