Prisoners in US strike to protest 'modern slavery'

By Umar Farooq

WASHINGTON

Inmates in at least 17 U.S. states on Tuesday began one of the largest prison strikes in U.S. history.

The strike, which is scheduled to last until Sept. 9, is being led by inmates of the legal group Jailhouse Lawyers Speak.

The group said prisoners will take part in work strikes, sit-ins, and hunger strikes.

Strike organizers say prisoners are being treated as modern day slaves, with horrible working conditions and they are being paid as little as four cents an hour.

Advocates have recently shined a spotlight on prisoner working conditions in California, where inmates are used to fight wildfires throughout the state for $1 an hour.

A press release by organizers released a list of demands. Among what inmates are asking for are improved working conditions, an end to prison slavery and voting rights.

"These men and women are demanding humane living conditions, access to rehabilitation, sentencing reform and the end of modern day slavery," said the press release.