Alabama Prisoners File Lawsuit Alleging Forced Labor as 'Modern-Day Slavery'

Current and former prisoners in Alabama have filed a lawsuit alleging that the state's prison labor practices amount to a modern-day form of slavery. The plaintiffs, who are predominantly Black, argue that incarcerated individuals are forced to work for little or no pay, benefiting government entities and private businesses. The lawsuit also claims that the conditions within Alabama's prison system are inhumane and inherently coercive. The defendants include public officials, private employers, and leaders from the state's department of corrections and transportation. The lawsuit alleges violations of federal law, including the First Amendment and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, as well as Alabama's state constitution, which recently banned all forms of slavery and involuntary servitude.