Expo Wisconsin

Sign The Petition

End Forced Labor in Prisons

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery—but with an exception for punishment of crimes.

This loophole perpetuates systemic exploitation, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.

800K

incarcerated individuals are subjected to forced labor across the U.S.

70%

of prison laborers are people of color.

states still have no minimum wage protections for incarcerated workers.

Average prison wages: Less than $1 per hour for most jobs.

Who is impacted?

This system overwhelmingly impacts incarcerated individuals, particularly those from Black and Brown communities.

Forced to work under threat of punishment and earning pennies per hour, these workers are denied basic labor rights, perpetuating cycles of poverty and oppression even after release.

How Did We Get Here?

1865 - The 13th Amendment is ratified, ending slavery, but including the exception clause.

1890s - Southern states implement “convict leasing,” exploiting prison labor for profit.

1960s - Prison labor grows as a cornerstone of the U.S. penal system.

Current Day - Advocacy groups such as EXPO push for constitutional amendments to close the loophole.

How Did We Get Here?

1865 - The 13th Amendment is ratified, ending slavery, but including the exception clause.

1890s - Southern states implement “convict leasing,” exploiting prison labor for profit.

1960s - Prison labor grows as a cornerstone of the U.S. penal system.

Current Day - Advocacy groups such as EXPO push for constitutional amendments to close the loophole.

How Did We Get Here?

1865 - The 13th Amendment is ratified, ending slavery, but including the exception clause.

1890s - Southern states implement “convict leasing,” exploiting prison labor for profit.

1960s - Prison labor grows as a cornerstone of the U.S. penal system.

Current Day - Advocacy groups such as EXPO push for constitutional amendments to close the loophole.

FAQ

What does the exception clause mean?

Why is forced labor considered harmful?

How can ending the exception benefit society?

What can I do to help?

What does the exception clause mean?

Why is forced labor considered harmful?

How can ending the exception benefit society?

What can I do to help?

What does the exception clause mean?

Why is forced labor considered harmful?

How can ending the exception benefit society?

What can I do to help?

Justice Demands Action

Forced labor in prisons undermines the principles of freedom and equality. Eliminating the exception clause is a critical step toward a more just and fair society.

Sign the petition to support legislative efforts to remove the 13th Amendment exception clause. Together, we can put an end to this modern form of slavery.

200+ people already signed

Sign The Petition!

200+ people already signed

Sign The Petition!

200+ people already signed

Sign The Petition!

Get Help Now

END

END THE

THE

Exception

Exception

Sign The Petition

Sign The Petition

Sign The Petition

End Forced Labor in Prisons

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery—but with an exception for punishment of crimes.

This loophole perpetuates systemic exploitation, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.

Average prison wages: Less than $1 per hour for most jobs.

Average prison wages: Less than $1 per hour for most jobs.

Who is impacted?

How Did We Get Here?

1865 - The 13th Amendment is ratified, ending slavery, but including the exception clause.

1890s - Southern states implement “convict leasing,” exploiting prison labor for profit.

1960s - Prison labor grows as a cornerstone of the U.S. penal system.

Current Day - Advocacy groups such as EXPO push for constitutional amendments to close the loophole.

How Did We Get Here?

1865 - The 13th Amendment is ratified, ending slavery, but including the exception clause.

1890s - Southern states implement “convict leasing,” exploiting prison labor for profit.

1960s - Prison labor grows as a cornerstone of the U.S. penal system.

Current Day - Advocacy groups such as EXPO push for constitutional amendments to close the loophole.

How Did We Get Here?

1865 - The 13th Amendment is ratified, ending slavery, but including the exception clause.

1890s - Southern states implement “convict leasing,” exploiting prison labor for profit.

1960s - Prison labor grows as a cornerstone of the U.S. penal system.

Current Day - Advocacy groups such as EXPO push for constitutional amendments to close the loophole.

FAQ

Justice Demands Action

Forced labor in prisons undermines the principles of freedom and equality. Eliminating the exception clause is a critical step toward a more just and fair society.

Sign the petition to support legislative efforts to remove the 13th Amendment exception clause. Together, we can put an end to this modern form of slavery.

200+ people already signed

Sign The Petition!

200+ people already signed

Sign The Petition!

200+ people already signed

Sign The Petition!

CAMPAIGNS

CAMPAIGNS

END

END THE

THE

Exception

Exception

Sign The Petition

Sign The Petition

Sign The Petition

End Forced Labor in Prisons

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery—but with an exception for punishment of crimes. This loophole perpetuates systemic exploitation, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.

Average prison wages: Less than $1 per hour for most jobs.

Average prison wages: Less than $1 per hour for most jobs.

Who is impacted?

How Did We Get Here?

1865 - The 13th Amendment is ratified, ending slavery, but including the exception clause.

1890s - Southern states implement “convict leasing,” exploiting prison labor for profit.

1960s - Prison labor grows as a cornerstone of the U.S. penal system.

Current Day - Advocacy groups such as EXPO push for constitutional amendments to close the loophole.

How Did We Get Here?

1865 - The 13th Amendment is ratified, ending slavery, but including the exception clause.

1890s - Southern states implement “convict leasing,” exploiting prison labor for profit.

1960s - Prison labor grows as a cornerstone of the U.S. penal system.

Current Day - Advocacy groups such as EXPO push for constitutional amendments to close the loophole.

How Did We Get Here?

1865 - The 13th Amendment is ratified, ending slavery, but including the exception clause.

1890s - Southern states implement “convict leasing,” exploiting prison labor for profit.

1960s - Prison labor grows as a cornerstone of the U.S. penal system.

Current Day - Advocacy groups such as EXPO push for constitutional amendments to close the loophole.

FAQ

Justice Demands ActionForced labor in prisons undermines the principles of freedom and equality. Eliminating the exception clause is a critical step toward a more just and fair society.

Sign the petition to support legislative efforts to remove the 13th Amendment exception clause. Together, we can put an end to this modern form of slavery.

200+ people already signed

Sign The Petition!

200+ people already signed

Sign The Petition!

200+ people already signed

Sign The Petition!

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery—but with an exception for punishment of crimes.

This loophole perpetuates systemic exploitation, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.

Justice Demands Action

Forced labor in prisons undermines the principles of freedom and equality. Eliminating the exception clause is a critical step toward a more just and fair society.