Eliminating the punishment clause which permits involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime, will allow for the creation of a justice system that prioritizes rehabilitation and reintegration over exploitation and profit.
This ensures fair compensation for their work, allowing them to support themselves and their families upon release and while incarcerated. This also promotes a safe working environment to ensure the safety of incarcerated individuals within prison facilities.
These institutions not only perpetuate the cycle of incarceration for financial gain but also incentivize the continuation of exploitative labor practices within the prison system.
By implementing these solutions, it is possible to move closer to a justice system that values human dignity, fairness, and the potential for positive change. Addressing systemic issues such as racial disparities in the criminal justice system is integral to creating a fair and just society for all individuals, regardless of background or circumstance.
Advocacy groups must spread awareness to create a shift in the public perception of incarcerated individuals as humans, and to highlight the importance of fair treatment and rehabilitation within the criminal justice system. In all, meaningful change requires a stratified approach that addresses both the systemic and societal factors that allow the continued use of the prison system.
The urgency of addressing the systemic injustices ranging from the commencement of the loophole, as they allowed themselves to mass incarcerate black individuals back into slavery, to the present day where they exploit prisoners for the gain of businessmen, cannot be overstated. By raising awareness and creating movements to advocate for legislative change, pressure can be created for meaningful reform. Moreover, engaging in conversations can help shift reformations toward justice-centered policies instead of profit-centered wants.
While the initial implementation of reforms may require an upfront investment and adjustment, the long-term benefits of a fair, humane, and rehabilitative approach to incarceration far outweigh any short-term costs.