TWO YEARS AGO, California prisoners thought they would get a chance to celebrate their freedom from involuntary servitude, but at the last minute their dream was taken away by state legislators.
This Juneteenth many hope their dream can be realized with the passing of Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8, sponsored by state Assemblywoman Lori Wilson, D-Suisun City. The measure would amend California’s Constitution to prohibit slavery in any form, including forced labor as punishment for a crime.
“California was founded as a free state,” Wilson said in February. “There is no room for slavery in our Constitution. It is not consistent with our values.”
June 19, 1865, is the day African Americans in Galveston, Texas, first celebrated their freedom from slavery. Union soldiers rode into town to deliver the news. This was two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
Over 150 years later, Juneteenth is now recognized as a federal holiday. California also recognizes it as a state holiday. But some in the Legislature have put a damper on celebrations by wanting to continue the practice of forced labor in prisons.
Blocked by the Legislature
In 2022, the state Senate blocked Assembly Constitutional Amendment 3 from going on the November ballot. That measure would have amended the state Constitution to end forced labor in prison. State Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, said the legislation would undermine rehabilitation programs and make prisons more difficult to manage safely. The state’s Department of Finance said it would cost California $1.5 billion annually to end the practice.
“I thought that when California started recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday, involuntary servitude in prison would end,” said William Harris, who is incarcerated at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.
Colorado became the first state to end slavery in prison in 2018. Since then, Utah and Nebraska followed suit. Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont have approved similar ballot measures.
So far, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has only been willing to raise the minimum prison wage from eight cents to 16 cents an hour beginning in April.
LaCedric Johnson has been incarcerated for almost three decades.
“Being in prison reminds me of what my forefathers went through. I get an eerie sense of how they felt everyday. I can’t wait till I parole.” LaCedric Johnson, San Quentin inmate
“I’ve been in slavery for the whole time I’ve been in prison,” he said. “I have nothing to show for it.” Johnson learned about the meaning of Juneteenth as a child, but didn’t feel like he had a reason to celebrate.
“Being in prison reminds me of what my forefathers went through. I get an eerie sense of how they felt everyday. I can’t wait till I parole,” said Johnson.
The ‘California model’
In March 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California will be creating a new more humane prison system, beginning with a multimillion-dollar rehabilitation and reentry center at San Quentin. During his announcement, the governor recognized the trauma suffered by everyone who comes in contact with our carceral system.
“This system isn’t working for anybody,” Newsom said.
CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber introduced four pillars that will represent the foundation of the new “California model,” which includes dynamic security, normalization, peer support and trauma informed care.
Normalization aims to make prison life more similar to life outside prison, according to the CDCR.
With the new California model just beginning, it remains to be seen if forced labor will still be CDCR policy. What’s clear is the state has shifted its focus to providing incarcerated individuals job skills and financial opportunity upon release.
“I still have hope that if slavery can be abolished in society, and our government can recognize Juneteenth as a holiday, they will get rid of involuntary servitude in prison,” said Harris.
Steve Brooks is a California Local News Fellow with Bay City News Foundation, reporting from inside San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. His perspective gives readers insight into issues and news from inside the prison. See more of his work at Inside/Out on Local News Matters.