A
prison strike is an inmate
Strike action or work stoppage that occurs inside a
prison, generally to protest poor conditions or low wages for penal labor. Prison strikes may also include
.
United States
In September 2016, large, coordinated prison strikes took place in 11 states, with inmates claiming they are subjected to poor sanitary conditions and jobs that amount to forced labor and modern day slavery.
[ Inmates strike in prisons nationwide over 'slave labor' working conditions. The Guardian September 9, 2016.][ The Largest Prison Strike in U.S. History Enters Its Second Week. The Intercept September 16, 2016.][ Work Stoppage Prison Strike Continues in 11 US States . The Real News. September 20, 2016.] Organizers, which include the Industrial Workers of the World labor union, asserted that it was the largest prison strike in U.S. history.
On August 21, 2018, another prison strike, sponsored by Jailhouse Lawyers Speak and the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee, took place in 17 states from coast to coast to protest what inmates regard as unfair treatment by the criminal justice system. In particular, inmates objected to being excluded from the 13th amendment which forces them to work for pennies a day, a condition they assert is tantamount to "modern-day slavery". The strike was the result of a call to action after a deadly riot occurred at Lee Correctional Institution in April of that year, which was sparked by neglect and inhumane living conditions.
Legalities
At the national level, declares "encouraging others to refuse to work, or to participate in a work stoppage" to be a "High Severity Level Prohibited Act" and authorizes solitary confinement for periods of up to a year for each violation.
The California Code of Regulations (CCR) states that "participation in a strike or work stoppage", "refusal to perform work or participate in a program as ordered or assigned", and "recurring failure to meet work or program expectations within the inmate's abilities when lesser disciplinary methods failed to correct the misconduct" is "serious misconduct" under §3315(a)(3)(L), leading to gang affiliation under CCR §3000.
List of prison strikes
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1970 Folsom Prison strike
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Walpole prison strike (1973)
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Cuban political prisoners hunger strike of 2010
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2010 Evin prison hunger strike
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2010 Georgia prison strike
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2013 California prisoner hunger strike
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2016 U.S. prison strike
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2018 U.S. prison strike
See also
