In a comprehensive two-year investigation, the Associated Press (AP) has discovered a complex network connecting some of the world's largest food companies and popular brands to U.S. prisoners who perform labor for pennies an hour, primarily in agriculture. These goods, produced through prison labor, find their way into the supply chains of major companies such as McDonald's, Walmart, and Cargill. The investigation traced hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of agricultural products to goods sold on the open market.

The AP's investigation shines a light on the vulnerable labor force comprised of incarcerated individuals who work under difficult conditions, often facing repercussions if they refuse to work or fail to meet production quotas. Despite contributing to the supply chains of a wide range of household products, these prisoners are frequently excluded from the protections afforded to other full-time workers, even in cases of serious injury or death on the job.

Products linked to prison labor, including items like Frosted Flakes cereal, Ball Park hot dogs, Gold Medal flour, Coca-Cola, and Riceland rice, can be found on the shelves of major supermarkets across the United States, including Kroger, Target, Aldi, and Whole Foods. Some of these goods are even exported, including to countries that have faced import bans due to the use of forced or prison labor.

The AP investigation exposes how many companies purchasing goods directly from prisons are violating their own policies against the use of such labor. However, the use of prison labor is legally allowed, dating back to the 13th Amendment, which banned slavery and involuntary servitude except as a form of punishment for a crime.

The number of individuals incarcerated in the United States has skyrocketed since the 1970s, disproportionately affecting people of color. With approximately 2 million people behind bars in the country, prison labor has become a multibillion-dollar industry, extending beyond traditional tasks like license plate stamping or road work.

While agriculture represents only a small fraction of the overall prison workforce, the AP investigation uncovered nearly $200 million worth of sales of farmed goods and livestock over the past six years. This figure only scratches the surface and does not account for additional sales to state and government entities.

Advocates of prison labor highlight its potential to save taxpayers money and provide vocational skills that can be useful upon release, reducing the likelihood of reoffending. They argue that it offers an opportunity for incarcerated individuals to repay their debt to society. However, critics assert that prisoners should be fairly paid, treated humanely, and that all work should be voluntary. The lack of compensation, unsafe working conditions, and the limited opportunities for reintegration into the workforce post-release have raised concerns among experts and advocates.

In addition to concerns regarding labor rights, the AP investigation found that U.S. prison labor is present in supply chains that extend beyond American borders, including to countries previously subject to import bans due to forced or prison labor. Mammoth commodity traders such as Cargill, Bunge, and Archer Daniels Midland have acquired millions of dollars' worth of crops directly from prisons, competing with local farmers.

The AP reached out to the companies identified as having connections to prison labor, but most did not respond. Some, like McDonald's, pledged to investigate the links to such labor, while others like Whole Foods and General Mills explicitly stated policies against the use of prison labor in their products.

The investigation reveals a vast and convoluted business in prison labor, with profits often difficult to track due to a lack of transparency and challenges in collecting comprehensive data. Despite the inherent complexities, the AP's findings shed light on a hidden phenomenon that raises important questions about the treatment and rights of incarcerated individuals working in America's food supply chains.