2019 Senate Joint Resolution K

Ban sentencing prisoners to ‘hard labor’

Introduced in the Senate

Sept. 12, 2019

Introduced by Sen. Betty Alexander (D-5)

To place before voters in the next general election a constitutional amendment to repeal a criminal punishment exception to the current constitutional provision that prohibits “involuntary servitude.” In other words, laws could not be passed that authorize sentencing prisoners to “hard labor,” or chain gangs, or other forms of work as punishment for crimes.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety