[Sonny M]

Amendment 13 has been interpreted as to mean that once convicted, they may either be forced to work in prison or forced to do community service. Not argueing with you. Both of these are done, however, it has been basically stated that this is a governemt right. A little scary when you think about, technically, and constitutionally, if you commit a crime, the government can make you a slave to work for it. This is the underlying basis for community service, which ironically is usually for small crimes.

[johnqueuepublic]

Slavery has been abolished by the 13th Amendment, involuntary servitude can only be imposed via:

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

The "...except..." part modifies involuntary servitude, ie. prison. Slavery is outlawed, you will never find a con law professor to agree to your interpretation.