The complaint, brought with the support of labor unions, alleges that Alabama profits to the tune of more than $450 million a year through coerced work, and that fast food companies and other private corporations benefit from an unlawful 'labor trafficking scheme.'
Janet Herold, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said in a press conference Tuesday that the prison work programs are 'the modern reincarnation of the notorious convict-leasing system that replaced slavery after the Civil War.'
The state takes 40% from prisoners' gross earnings in work-release jobs, while prisoners face other deductions for transportation and uniform cleaning, pushing pay rates well below the Alabama minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, according to the complaint.
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