The Push to Remove ‘Slavery’ Language From MN Constitution and Reform Prison Labor Continues

A pair of bills in the Minnesota Legislature—one to amend the state constitution and another to reclassify incarcerated people as employees—are at the center of a growing push to eliminate forced prison labor and extend workplace protections to those behind bars.

A coalition of advocates and lawmakers is renewing its push to eliminate a longstanding loophole that allows forced labor in Minnesota’s prisons, arguing that both the state constitution and labor laws must change to fully end slavery.

The effort centers on two pieces of legislation introduced this session: House File 5104, which would classify incarcerated people as employees under state labor laws, and House File 3335, a proposed constitutional amendment that would remove language permitting involuntary servitude ‘as punishment for a crime.’

If approved by lawmakers, the constitutional amendment would go before Minnesota voters in the 2026 general election.

The push is being led by the End Slavery in Minnesota Coalition, which held a rally at the State Capitol this week to highlight the urgent need for reform.

“Minnesota considers itself a progressive leader, but the state constitution still allows slave labor ‘as punishment for a crime,’” the coalition. “That means that people in prison—our parents, siblings, neighbors and fellow Minnesotans—are not only deprived of their freedom; they are forced to work for pennies in dehumanizing conditions.”

The ‘as punishment for a crime’ exception traces back to the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery but allowed involuntary servitude for those convicted of crimes.

Since 2018, eight states, including Alabama and Tennessee, have removed slavery clauses from their constitutions. Image credit: End Slavery in Minnesota Coalition

Advocates say that exception enabled systems like convict leasing after the Civil War and continues to shape prison labor practices today.

“According to our Constitution, we are still practicing slavery in Minnesota,” said Chauntyll Allen, executive director of the coalition. “There are companies contracting with our Department of Corrections and forcing incarcerated people to work for 25 cents an hour.”

Allen said many incarcerated workers earn as little as $0.25 per hour, amounting to roughly $580 annually for full-time work. She notes that low wages prevent people from supporting their families or saving money for reentry, while shifting financial burdens onto the state.

“Where are the children getting support from? From the state,” Allen said. “So the state is shoveling out funds to support both sides of the situation, while big corporations are getting a tax break and extremely cheap labor.”

Chauntyll Allen, executive director of End Slavery in Minnesota Coalition, speaking in the rotunda of the State Capitol on May 5.

House File 5104 aims to address those concerns by redefining incarcerated workers as employees, potentially entitling them to minimum wage, workplace protections, and other labor rights. Supporters say that change could reduce recidivism and improve outcomes after release.

“We want to see a system where people can support their children and continue to build that relationship with their families,” Allen said. “We want to see a system that moves toward restoration.”

During his remarks, Rep. Cedrick Frazier acknowledged that the legislation may take time to pass but said the current effort is part of a broader, ongoing push.

Rep. Cedrick Frazier, who is sponsoring the bill, framed the effort as part of a longer historical correction.

“When we abolished slavery, the only exception was what we are talking about right now,” Frazier said. “The only exception was to allow people that have been incarcerated to then be treated like slaves. Totally unacceptable.”

“When someone is being held accountable and we are incarcerating someone, that doesn’t mean we get to treat them less than human. When individuals are working, we should pay them a fair wage.”

Advocates point out that paying incarcerated workers could help them meet financial obligations, including restitution payments. Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten, who supports the effort in the Senate, tied the issue to broader labor and justice reforms.

“This really is an issue about paying working people what they deserve,” she said. “If they’re not being compensated, then what is it? It’s slavery.”

Verbeten pointed to her experience reviewing wrongful conviction compensation claims as evidence that the state already recognizes the financial harm caused by incarceration. She also urged voters to play a role in advancing the issue, noting that the proposed constitutional amendment would ultimately require public approval.

“This is an election year,” Verbeten said. “We have a real opportunity to get people into the Capitol who are committed to ending slavery in Minnesota.”

Prison Labor Reforms Impact

The End Slavery in Minnesota Coalition, a network of businesses, nonprofits, and organizations throughout the state, says prison labor reforms could have broader economic and social benefits.

“Passing two critical bills in the state legislature would ensure incarcerated workers earn minimum wage, reduce recidivism and promote economic development that would benefit all Minnesota taxpayers,” Allen said.

If you want to support the cause and effort to end slavery in Minnesota, you can sign the petition and send a message to your state lawmakers.