**California Voters Reject Proposition 6 to Ban Forced Prison Labor**

California voters have turned down Proposition 6, a ballot measure aimed at prohibiting forced prison labor, resulting in a major setback for criminal justice reform proponents and the nearly 90,000 individuals incarcerated in state prisons. If passed, the proposition would have amended the state constitution to eliminate involuntary servitude for prisoners, replacing it with voluntary work programs.

Despite the state already prohibiting slavery, a loophole in the constitution permits involuntary labor as a punishment for crime. Currently, approximately 40,000 prisoners in California are employed in various essential roles, including wildfire fighting, janitorial services, and construction work, often earning less than $0.75 per hour. Many incarcerated individuals rely on these minimal wages for essential commissary items.

With 53.8% of voters rejecting the measure and 46.2% supporting it, the vote count as of Monday still mirrored a significant division among Californians. Remarkably, Proposition 6 faced no formal opposition during the campaign.

Proposition 6 was part of a broader package of 14 reparations proposals introduced by lawmakers. While some parts of this package have seen progress, including Governor Gavin Newsom's signing of a law for a formal apology for the state's legacy of racism, other efforts like the creation of an agency to oversee reparations have been blocked.

Lori Wilson, the California assembly member who championed Proposition 6, emphasized last month that the measure was inspired by the need to correct a historical injustice. She pointed out that the constitutional clause allowing involuntary servitude is a remnant of the nation's dark history with slavery.

Other states, such as Colorado, Tennessee, Alabama, Vermont, and most recently Nevada, have taken steps to remove constitutional exceptions for forced labor. However, the impact of these changes remains uncertain. In Colorado, for example, a 2022 lawsuit alleges that prisoners continued to be coerced into labor even after the 2018 amendment.

Despite its defeat, advocates of Proposition 6 underscore the significance of the measure in drawing attention to and addressing remnants of slavery within legal frameworks. Jamilia Land, co-founder of the Abolish Slavery National Network, highlighted the progress made and the ongoing commitment to resolving this issue.

Dorsey Nunn, another supporter of Prop 6, acknowledged the strides made this year compared to the difficulties faced in 2022 in getting similar measures on the ballot. He emphasized the need for continued education about involuntary servitude and the pursuit of a justice system focused on rehabilitation and accountability.

With the second-least campaign spending among the 10 statewide initiatives on the ballot this year, only about $1.9 million, Prop 6 highlights the challenges in garnering widespread support for prison labor reform.

For individuals like Dante Jones, incarcerated in San Quentin, the defeat of Proposition 6 dashed hopes for better wages and improved living conditions in prison. Jones, reflecting the sentiments of many inmates, expressed frustration over the continued exploitation of prison labor, likening it to modern-day slavery.