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Oregon Measure 112 would change language in the state constitution that addresses slavery and involuntary servitude in prisons.
Supporters argue that the slavery language has heavily affected marginalized communities.
Oregon’s Department of Corrections argues that the measure misleads the public.
A “yes” on Oregon Measure 112 would edit language in the state constitution regarding slavery and involuntary servitude.
Ballot measure details
Known as the Remove Slavery as Punishment for Crime from Constitution Amendment, Oregon Measure 112 would remove the exception in the Constitution that allows for slavery as “a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.”
In turn, it would add the following language: “Upon conviction of a crime, an Oregon court or a probation or parole agency may order the convicted person to engage in education, counseling, treatment, community service or other alternatives to incarceration, as part of sentencing for the crime, in accordance with programs that have been in place historically or that may be developed in the future, to provide accountability, reformation, protection of society or rehabilitation.”
A Secretary of State’s analysis of the measure states: “The measure does not require additional state government revenues or expenditures; however the impact of the measure will depend on potential legal action or changes to inmate work programs.”
Support and opposition
Oregonians Against Slavery & Involuntary Servitude is leading the campaign in support of the measure. Supporters argue that the slavery exception has heavily affected marginalized communities.
Zach Winston, the policy director of the Oregon Justice Resource Center, said that “while the slavery exception was drafted over 160 years ago, the impact is still disproportionately felt today by the BIPOC communities.”
There is no organized campaign against the proposal, according to Ballotpedia, but the Oregon Department of Corrections argues that the measure misleads the public about what goes on inside the state’s prisons.
“DOC recognizes that compelled prison labor is sometimes perceived as modern-day slavery,” Rob Persson, assistant director of operations at the Oregon Department of Corrections, said to lawmakers, according to OPB. “DOC believes that perception is misplaced, at least with respect to the manner in which adults in custody are engaged in prison work programs in Oregon’s prisons.”
The money race
The measure has attracted about $75,000 in support contributions and $0 in opposition contributions, according to Ballotpedia.