Prison labor in the United States has long been a controversial issue, but a recent two-year investigation by the Associated Press (AP) has exposed the dangerous and exploitative conditions faced by prisoners working in U.S. labor programs. The findings, published in May 2024, reveal a system where incarcerated individuals often face significant risks without basic workplace protections. The investigation highlights stories that shed light on a troubling lack of oversight, reigniting urgent calls for reform.
The Associated Press found that incarcerated individuals often perform high-risk jobs with little to no training or safety precautions. One such prison worker is Blas Sanchez, who suffered a leg amputation while working at Hickman’s Family Farms, an Arizona egg producer tied to major brands like McDonald’s and Target. Sanchez recalled the harrowing moments after his leg was pulled into an industrial auger: “I could hear ‘crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch.’ I couldn’t feel anything, but I could hear the crunch.”
Unfortunately, prisoners like Sanchez are excluded from protections under state and federal labor laws, leaving them with little recourse for justice or compensation after an injury on the job.
The investigation uncovered numerous other cases of catastrophic injuries and fatalities among prisoners, including 21-year-old Braxton Moon, who was killed on an Alabama highway while picking up trash. In California, Shawna Lynn Jones, a 22-year-old inmate firefighter, died after being struck by a boulder during wildfire suppression efforts. Her mother, Diana Baez, noted that even as her daughter lay unconscious in the hospital, she was “still handcuffed to that… gurney.”
According to the AP, these labor programs disproportionately affect communities of color, tracing their origins back to slavery. Many incarcerated individuals are pressured into working dangerous jobs and face punishment for refusal, including solitary confinement.
Moreover, injuries often go unreported due to fears of retaliation, while privacy laws obscure the extent of the harm. Crystal Allen, another worker at Hickman’s, lost her thumb in a machinery accident. “All of a sudden, the cart just takes off with my thumb,” she recalled. Without immediate medical attention available, Allen had to wrap her hand in a sock. She later sued and settled with the company, which denied wrongdoing.
Despite claims by companies and correctional facilities that prisoner work programs emphasize training and safety, evidence shows systemic negligence. Workers face hazardous conditions and are often left with permanent physical and emotional scars. Joel Robbins, a lawyer representing injured prisoners, emphasized the long-term impact: “They end up being mangled in ways that will affect them for the rest of their lives.”
Even when lawsuits are pursued, legal barriers and systemic bias often result in meager settlements or outright dismissal of claims.
Advocates and legal experts have criticized the system for exploiting vulnerable workers to financially benefit businesses and state economies. While companies like Cargill have pledged to eliminate prison labor from their supply chains, others have deflected responsibility. The issue has reignited calls for reform, with demands for fair wages, adequate training, and improved workplace safety standards to prevent further tragedies.
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Can prisoners work in jail in Georgia?
Yes, prisoners in Georgia can work while incarcerated. The Department of Corrections and the Georgia Correctional Industries Administration Department of Corrections provide work programs with the goal of helping inmates develop job skills and gain experience to support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
These jobs may include roles such as facility maintenance, food service, agricultural work, and industrial production. Prisoners may also contribute to public projects, like construction and renovations for municipalities, or participate in programs that allow them to work with private businesses under state oversight.
These work programs aim to benefit both the inmates and the community by offering skill-building opportunities that support rehabilitation while contributing to local government and private sector needs. However, participation in such programs is often governed by specific rules and policies, which vary by facility and program type.
Can prisoners get workers’ comp in Georgia if they’re injured while working?
Unfortunately, in Georgia, prisoners are not eligible for workers’ compensation if they’re injured while working. This applies whether the work is performed inside a correctional facility or through a work-release program.
Since Georgia law does not classify incarcerated individuals as employees, they are not entitled to the same rights and protections as other workers under the state’s workers’ compensation system. This means injured prisoners cannot access the medical care, wage replacement benefits, or other workers’ comp benefits that civilian workers would typically receive.
Additionally, family members of prisoners who are killed in workplace accidents are not entitled to death benefits under workers’ compensation laws. This lack of coverage leaves families without critical financial support, further compounding the devastation of losing a loved one in a preventable workplace tragedy.
Have questions about your legal rights after a work injury in Georgia? We can help!
At Gerber & Elkins, we believe that all workers (incarcerated or not) are entitled to a safe work environment. If you have questions about your right to workers’ comp benefits or want help exploring your legal options after an on-the-job accident in Georgia, reach out to our experienced Atlanta work injury lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
With over 100 years of combined experience, our attorneys have helped countless workers in Georgia get maximum compensation after a serious injury or occupational disease.
Find out how we can help with your work injury claim by scheduling a free consultation with Gerber & Elkins Workers’ Compensation Attorneys today.
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References
GA R&R – GAC – Subject 125-3-8 PRISON INDUSTRIES ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM. (2024). Ga.gov. https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/125-3-8#:~:text=and%20family%20support.-,Rule%20125%2D3%2D8%2D.,02%20Responsibility&text=The%20Department%20of%20Corrections%20and,to%20public%20or%20private%20purchasers
MASON, M., & MCDOWELL, R. (2024, May 16). US prisoners are being assigned dangerous jobs. But what happens if they are hurt or killed? AP News. https://apnews.com/article/prison-to-plate-inmate-labor-investigation-injuries-deaths-0ff52ff1735d7e9f858248177a2a60c3
