Max Graves-End Slavery Minnesota

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Thesis: End Slavery in Minnesota is a statewide movement working to remove the slavery clause from Minnesota’s Constitution and transform prison labor into a system grounded in dignity, fair wages, and real rehabilitation.

Minnesota’s Constitution still permits slavery “as punishment for a crime,” mirroring the 13th Amendment’s exception clause. Because of this language, incarcerated Minnesotans can be forced to work for pennies—often twenty‑five to fifty cents an hour—without the rights or protections granted to every other worker. The End Slavery in Minnesota coalition argues that this is not rehabilitation, but a continuation of a historical system designed to extract labor from people who cannot refuse.

Contact: max@mnendslavery.org

The movement brings together formerly incarcerated leaders, labor unions, educators, faith communities, and justice‑reform advocates. Their goals are twofold: remove the slavery exception from the state constitution and pass legislation that reclassifies incarcerated people as workers with fair wages, safety protections, and meaningful job training. Supporters argue that ending prison slavery is both a moral obligation and a public‑safety strategy. When people leave prison with no savings, no skills, and no economic stability, the cycle of poverty and re‑incarceration continues. Fair wages and real work opportunities reduce recidivism and strengthen communities.

End Slavery in Minnesota positions its work within a broader struggle for human rights and constitutional integrity. By removing the slavery exception and transforming prison labor, the movement seeks to align Minnesota’s laws with its values—affirming that dignity and freedom must apply to every person without exception.

Lesson Plan

Learning Objectives (with examples)

1. Students will explain the constitutional slavery exception using a concrete example
   • Example: Students describe how the phrase “otherwise than as punishment for a crime” allows Minnesota prisons to pay workers $0.25/hour.
2. Students will analyze how forced labor affects re‑entry outcomes using a real scenario
   • Example: Students examine a case where a person leaves prison with $50 in savings and discuss how that limits housing and employment options.

Learning Outcomes (with examples)

1. Students articulate how the exception clause enables forced labor
   • Example: A student writes a short paragraph connecting the constitutional text to current prison work assignments.
2. Students evaluate whether fair wages could reduce recidivism
   • Example: Students cite evidence from the movement to argue how higher wages could support stable re‑entry.

5E Learning Model

Engage

Students read the constitutional clause and react to the phrase “except as punishment for a crime.”

Explore

Students examine wage data (e.g., $0.25–$0.50/hour) and compare it to basic living costs.

Explain

Students discuss how the exception clause shapes prison labor practices.

Elaborate

Students evaluate proposed reforms and debate whether fair wages improve public safety.

Evaluate

Students complete a short-written reflection explaining whether Minnesota should remove the slavery clause and why.

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