PSLM Protests Prison Labor at State House

The Progressive Student Labor Movement (PSLM) spent yesterday morning on the steps of the State House protesting a trio of bills to expand prison labor.

Approximately 15 members of PSLM stood outside the State House from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The protesters then moved inside to participate in a public hearing on the bills, where they were joined by members of the American Friends Service Committee and the Progressive Labor Party.

The protest was scheduled to coincide with the public hearing for Senate Bill 1092 and House Bills 139 and 127. The bills would allow private companies to utilize prison labor through a "Massachusetts Prison Industry Enhancement Program."

This program drew the ire of the PSLM because members said they thought it was unfair to prisoners and ordinary laborers.

"A lot of Massachusetts workers would lose jobs, as prisons would pay sub-minimum wage," said PSLM member Joshua Levin '02. "Prisoners would receive no workman's compensation, no vacations."

Levin also noted that the program "creates a profit incentive for prison building and prisoner incarceration."

He said he believes this issue "has been hidden in the media" and that PSLM played a valuable role in educating legislators about the ramifications of passing the three bills.

Following the demonstration, Levin said he judged the protest a success.

"[PSLM] spread a lot of information to legislators and legislative assistants," he said.

Senator James P. Jajuga (D-Ames-bury), who sponsored the bill in the Senate, could not be reached for comment.