7 states have amended their constitutions to prohibit treating convicts as slaves, but practical changes in the practice of forcing convicts to work for a pittance are just starting.

American workers should keep in mind that forcing prisoners to work for a low wage undercuts the wages of free workers.

I think it makes sense to distinguish prison chores (for instance, cooking food for for the prisoners to eat, and cleaning their clothing) from work on products or services for use outside the prison. It is legitimate to require prisoners to do the chores they need done, but that cannot legitimately take more than a few hours a week.