Prison Work, Wages and Catholic Social Thought: Justice Demands Decent Work for Decent Wages, Even for Prisoners

Abstract

Work is a social good. Prisoners who work do not receive fair pay for their labor. Catholic social thought insists on the human dignity of all, reconciliation, rehabilitation, and the right to work for a family wage. Nearly all prisoners have needy families on the outside. Work in prison at decent wages will help prisoners become employable after release, provide them with an income to support their families, and help advance rehabilitation in prison and reduction of recidivism upon release.

Keywords: prison law, Catholic social thought, fair wages, prisoner labor