Yes on Prop 6: Rehabilitation Over Forced Labor
Proposition 6 enhances public safety and prioritizes rehabilitation by eliminating all forms of slavery, including involuntary servitude within California, ensuring no person is subjected to forced labor regardless of their confinement circumstances.
COUNTDOWN TO ENDING SLAVERY IN CALIFORNIA
What you need to know to vote in California’s November 5th general election
OCT 07
Deadline for ballots to start getting mailed to every California voter, early voting sites open.
OCT 21
Last day to register to vote – either online or by mail. Same-day registration begins Oct. 22.
NOV 5
Polls are open, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Also, the last day to vote by mail.
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 5 and received by your county elections office by Nov. 12.
WHAT IS PROP 6?
1
Prioritizes Rehabilitation for Incarcerated People
Incarcerated people should be able to work jobs and shifts that enable them to access education, counseling, and other rehabilitative programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, that facilitate growth and make them less likely to reoffend.
2
Promotes Rehabilitation and Dignity
By replacing forced labor with voluntary work programs, Proposition 6 restores human dignity, supports rehabilitation through education and job training, and aims to reduce recidivism, saving taxpayer money. California taxpayers pay $134,000 per year to incarcerate one person. Evidence shows that the more people are rehabilitated, the less likely they are to become homeless and re-offend, avoiding costs for re-incarceration. These savings can be reallocated to community programs, investments in mental health programs, education, and other public services, improving the well-being of all Californians while saving taxpayers money.
3
Bipartisan and National Support
Proposition 6 has broad bipartisan backing and aligns with a national movement to close loopholes in the 13th Amendment, reflecting a commitment to human rights and efficient public safety practices.
NATIONWIDE VOTER SUPPORT FOR BALLOT MEASURES SIMILAR TO PROP 6
Despite the abolition of slavery, involuntary servitude remains a constitutional exception for the punishment of crimes in California. California is 1 of 16 states that still allows legalized constitutional slavery, lagging behind the rest of the country. Many states have amended their constitutions with bipartisan support to close the loopholes that allow forced labor and involuntary servitude under certain conditions.
78%
Alabama
68%
Nebraska
55%
Oregon
79%
Tennessee
80%
Utah
85%
Vermont
WHY VOTE YES
Forced Labor Denies Access To Services
Successful rehabilitation hinges on incarcerated people’s access to vital services. Productive work, coupled with education and therapeutic programming, will foster rehabilitation and make and make incarcerated people less likely to reoffend.
Enhanced Public Safety Through Rehabilitation
Forced labor in prisons has serious, negative ramifications that extend beyond prison walls. Prop 6 expands voluntary prison work programs and ensures dignity, choice, and rehabilitation — helping prevent crimes in California.
Educational And Vocational Opportunities
Prop 6 represents a pivotal shift towards rehabilitation and workforce readiness within California’s prison system. Programs like the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum as well as college and vocational training programs prepare incarcerated individuals to join trades, unions, and more.
KEY BENEFITS OF PASSING PROPOSITION 6
Rehabilitation as a Priority
Proposition 6 aims to shift the focus from punishment to rehabilitation, which is significantly supported by voters. By prioritizing rehabilitative programs like education and counseling, it aims to better prepare incarcerated individuals for reintegration into society, reducing the likelihood of reoffending.
Reduction in Recidivism
By enabling better access to rehabilitative programs, Proposition 6 is expected to reduce recidivism rates. This not only enhances public safety but also contributes to the stability of communities by helping former inmates become productive members.
Cost Savings for Taxpayers
The proposition is associated with potential significant cost savings. The current cost of incarceration per individual in California is notably high, and reducing the reincarceration rate through effective rehabilitation could lower these expenses. These savings could then be redirected to other critical public services like mental health programs and education.
Ending Forced Labor
By eliminating provisions that allow for involuntary servitude in prisons, Proposition 6 seeks to end what is essentially a modern form of forced labor. This change aligns with ethical and moral standards and addresses concerns about human rights violations within the penal system.
Moral and Ethical Standings
Proposition 6 positions California on the right side of history, aligning with a moral stance against outdated and unjust practices. This can enhance the state's reputation and serve as a model for other states to follow.
FAQs
Would Prop 6 impact rehabilitative programs?
Yes, Proposition 6 would allow those in prison to have the agency to prioritize their rehabilitation and take part in more rehabilitative programs. It shifts the focus away from forced labor, which is currently prioritized in California prisons. Instead, it promotes rehabilitation, enabling incarcerated individuals to participate in programs like education, vocational training, and therapy (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous), which reduce recidivism.
Would Prop 6 save taxpayers money?
Yes, Prop 6 reduces taxpayer expenses by lowering recidivism rates. California currently spends $134,000 per year to incarcerate one person. By emphasizing rehabilitation, the financial burden on the state will decrease as fewer people cycle back into the system. The financial savings from reduced re-incarceration can be redirected to support critical public services like mental health, education, and other community-focused programs, improving the overall well-being of Californians.
Would Prop 6 reduce crime and recidivism?
Yes, Proposition 6 would enhance public safety by prioritizing voluntary rehabilitation programs, including job training, educational opportunities, and drug and alcohol recovery support that are proven to reduce recidivism and prevent new crimes making California a safer state.
What is involuntary servitude?
Involuntary servitude is when a person is forced to work against their will. In short, involuntary servitude is a form of slavery. This is the reality for incarcerated people in California because of a clause in our constitution. They are forced to work under the conditions of involuntary servitude, which is modern-day slavery. Forced labor denies incarcerated people access to the education, rehabilitation, and therapy they need to successfully re-enter society.
What is the history of slavery in California?
The legacy of slavery in California includes the exploitation of Indigenous people in Spanish missions and the forced labor of Black people during the Gold Rush era. The California State Constitution of 1849 prohibited slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crimes, a clause that remains in both the U.S. and California constitutions.
Article I, Section 18 stated, “Neither Slavery, nor involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crimes, shall ever be tolerated in this State” (Article I, Sec.18). This slavery “exception clause” remains in both the U.S. Constitution and our State Constitution.
What does involuntary servitude look like in California?
Incarcerated workers are currently forced to perform labor with no time off. If they miss work for any reason, they face harsh punishment such as physical violence, denial of family visits and phone calls, solitary confinement, and write-ups that result in sentence extensions. Incarcerated workers also have no choice in scheduling work around educational or therapeutic programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous or substance abuse programs. They also can’t choose work that would develop transferable skills for the jobs they’re interested in after release; work assignments are based on formulaic numbers with no consideration of individual skills or career paths.
Why abolish involuntary servitude?
Instead of forced labor, we should focus on successful re-entry for incarcerated individuals to ensure they become productive members of society upon release. Work programs, when voluntary, contribute significantly to reducing recidivism by developing critical skills and providing rehabilitative support. These programs offer incarcerated people the opportunity to gain experience and showcase their efforts during reintegration, which aids in securing employment and re-establishing their lives post-release.
Prop 6 shifts the focus away from forced labor, which is currently prioritized in California prisons. Instead, it promotes rehabilitation, enabling incarcerated individuals to participate in programs like education, vocational training, and therapy (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous), which reduce recidivism.
By allowing individuals to access education, counseling, and rehabilitative programs, we foster personal growth and decrease the likelihood of re-offense. This approach is key to successful reintegration and long-term public safety improvements.
Is this a partisan issue?
Proposition 6 was put on the ballot by both Republicans and Democrats. Voters in seven other states have recently decided on ballot measures to repeal similar language from their state constitutions that allowed for enslavement or servitude. This includes measures that passed in 2022 with 76% support in Alabama, 79% in Tennessee, and 81% in Vermont. It’s time for California voters to continue the nationwide momentum to ban slavery and forced labor in our prisons.
GET INVOLVED
1
Endorse Prop 6
Show your support and help end modern day slavery in California by endorsing proposition 6.
2
Advocate and Educate Local and Statewide Leaders
Reach out to your local legislators and express your support for Proposition 6. Encourage them to endorse and promote the measure. Reach out to your local legislators and express your support for Proposition 6. Encourage them to endorse and promote the measure.
3
Spread the Word
Share information about Proposition 6 on your social media platforms using our Social Media Tool Kit. Send emails or texts to your friends, family, and colleagues, explaining the importance of Proposition 6 and encouraging them to support it. Distribute flyers and posters in your community, local businesses, and public spaces to raise awareness.
4
Donate
Make a financial contribution to support the campaign efforts. Your donations will help fund outreach, educational materials, and advertising. Host a fundraising event in your community to gather financial support and raise awareness.
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BE A PART OF THE MOVEMENT
California has a powerful opportunity to lead the way in human rights and criminal justice reform. Proposition 6 is our chance to end the inhumane practice of forced labor in our criminal justice system and ensure that every incarcerated individual is treated with dignity and respect.
Join a national movement to call for closing the loophole to slavery in the state constitution. Vote YES on Proposition 6 because everyone deserves dignity and a chance for a better future.
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PAID FOR BY YES ON PROPOSITION 6, ENDING MODERN DAY SLAVERY SPONSORED BY A COALITION OF CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTEE’S TOP FUNDERS: PATTY QUILLIN, ANTI RECIDIVISM COALITION, CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN PAC.
