Election Results: California voters reject measure to end involuntary labor

Voters have rejected Proposition 6 – a measure to end involuntary labor for inmates – in California.

This proposition would have amended the California Constitution to remove a provision that lets prisons and jails force inmates to work. It could have potentially increased or decreased state and local costs, depending on how the work for people in state prison and county jail would have changed.

According to legislative summaries of prison work, California currently mandates thousands of incarcerated people to work at jobs – like packaging nuts, doing dishes, and making license plates – for less than 74 cents an hour. People who don’t complete their work – regardless of illness, injury, or bereavement – face punishment. The punishment can be disciplinary infractions, which can lead to losing privileges.

Supporters of Prop. 6 said it would have ended slavery in California and upheld human rights and dignity for everyone. They said it would have replaced carceral involuntary servitude with voluntary work programs. Supporters also said Prop. 6 would have prioritized rehabilitation, lower recidivism, and improved public safety, which would have resulted in taxpayer savings.

There was no opposition to Prop. 6 on the ballot.

The measurement failed in 2022 and was reintroduced into Legislation earlier this year. The Associated Press declared that Prop. 6 didn’t pass six days after polls closed at 8 p.m. in California.