In Stanislaus County, about 65% of voters rejected a ballot measure in the Nov. 5 election that sought to end forced labor in prisons and jails in California.
Proposition 6, which was defeated statewide , aimed to amend the California Constitution by removing language permitting involuntary servitude as criminal punishment. The measure sought to make work assignments voluntary.
The proposition received backing from Democratic leaders, labor unions and numerous advocacy organizations, who framed their campaign as part of a broader national effort to abolish slavery and its racist legacy.
Michael Baldwin, the founder and executive director of Legacy Alliance Outreach in Modesto, said he was disappointed that the proposition failed. He attributes the failure to widespread misconceptions and a lack of public awareness about prison labor.
He said that while most incarcerated individuals want to work, they do not want to be penalized for choosing not to.
Under the current system, incarcerated individuals can face disciplinary actions for failing to complete work assignments, regardless of circumstances such as illness, injury or bereavement. These infractions can result in the loss of privileges, including family visits. Proposition 6 sought to prohibit the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from penalizing those who refuse work assignments.