Land swap, prisoner volunteer work proposal on New York ballot

Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin ^ | November 1, 2009 | pressconnects.com

[ntnychik]

Currently, the constitution allows prisoners to perform work for governmental agencies during their prison sentence, but the amendment would allow them to volunteer for religious, charitable and educational groups as well. Letting inmates work for non-profits was common practice for jails across the state until the state Commission of Correction determined it was unconstitutional about three years ago, state Sheriffs' Association Counsel Thomas Mitchell said. The nonprofit work could be used as an incentive for good behavior.

[ntnychik]

On New York ballots today were two "legislative-referred constitutional amendments". The second one proposed approval for prisoners to provide labor for non-profit organizations.

Unfortunately, I heard nothing of these ballot initiatives until I entered the voting booth. There was no local coverage whatsoever. Many voters didn't even notice these propositions were there, and voted only for candidates.

With the current administration attempting to restructure us from every angle, I see the potential for political misuse of prisoner labor, particularly in such non-profits as A.C.O.R.N.

Section 24 of article 3 of New York's Constitution currently prohibits the farming out, contracting, giving away or selling of convict labor to any person, firm, association, or corporation. Inmates may, however, perform work for the State and its political divisions and their public institutions.

The proposed amendment would authorize the Legislature to pass legislation allowing inmates to perform work for nonprofit organizations.

http://www.votesmart.org/election_ballot_measures.php?state_id=NY

[tommyboy]

I voted NO.

[Darksheare]

I voted no on both measures.

[ntnychik]

Go to page two at link under headline for article on NY prison labor amendment.

More info at http://www.votesmart.org/election_ballot_measures.php?state_id=NY

[ntnychik]

I voted no on both measures, too.
The first provision is retroactive, as the project has already been done.

[Darksheare]

In NJ, they had some known criminals working the “get out the vote” drive.
Now imagine that with prisoners being released to go work GOTV drives.

[sageb1]

“With the current administration attempting to restructure us from every angle, I see the potential for political misuse of prisoner labor, particularly in such non-profits as A.C.O.R.N.”

My thought exactly. I voted no, but there wasn’t one word in The Post-Star about this. I picked it up on Twitter yesterday or I never would have known about it.