Did you know that modern-day slavery is still legal in New York State — and Governor Hochul wants private corporations to profit from exploited labor? 

In Gov. Hochul’s proposed budget, she announced a plan to bring private labor back to New York's prisons. Under the plan, private corporations would be allowed to exploit incarcerated people and their labor — much like “convict leasing” programs from the Jim Crow era. 

Hochul’s proposal would also allow the state to garnish up to 50% of incarcerated people’s wages. 

Not only will Hochul’s plan further the exploitation of Black and Brown New Yorkers, but it will also entrench modern-day slavery in NY — all to put more money into billionaires’ pockets. 

New York State abolished private convict leasing over 100 years ago. We cannot let Governor Hochul take us back to the past. 

ADD YOUR NAME: Tell your NY state rep to oppose Hochul's “convict leasing” plan. 

Let’s be clear: Forced prison labor is modern-day slavery. And exploiting incarcerated people to enrich private corporations is inhumane. 

To end forced labor and continue the fight for Black liberation, rejecting proposals like Hochul’s is step one. We must also fight for higher wages and increased protections for incarcerated workers who earn an average of 60 cents an hour. 

13th Forward is a coalition of national and New York-based organizations working to end forced labor in NY prisons. Color Of Change stands with 13th Forward because, as a result of racist policies and policing, nearly half of incarcerated New Yorkers are Black. 

New York shouldn’t bring back private prison labor that exploits Black people for profits. It’s time to move forward and end forced prison labor in our state. 

SIGN THE PETITION: We cannot let Governor Hochul take us back to the past. Reject Hochul’s “convict leasing” plan and support efforts to end forced prison labor in NY! 

13th Forward is a coalition of national and New York-based organizations working to end forced labor in NY prisons.