Freeman’s Challenge: The Murder That Shook America’s Original Prison for Profit

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America has millions of prisoners, a majority of whom have contributed to the labor force significantly. These prisoners are made to do strenuous and labor-intensive jobs while receiving very little or no pay. These prisoners don’t get recognition for the work they do, even though they are forced to do it and contribute billions to the economy.
But when did prisoners become a source of labor? The book explores the origin of profit-driven labor, which is influenced by capitalism. The pioneer prison was in Auburn, a village in New York State, where a prison was built in the hopes of fostering economic growth instead of reforming criminals. The system prospered with the prisoners toiling daily, leading to the creation of many industries.
This continued for years, with many individuals benefiting from it, and further led to the creation of several private prisons. The prisoners showed little resistance until William Freeman joined the system. Freeman was incarcerated at 15 for allegations of horse theft. In prison, he never understood why he should work for the state for years without pay. Fully aware of his rights, Freeman challenged the system and demanded a change. However, this didn’t go well with the superiors, and they saw him as a threat. Freeman soon became the target of violence, and he must protect himself. When William Freeman becomes convicted of a series of murders, his case gains more recognition and sheds light on the exploitation of prisoners by the system.
The book analyzes the role of the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Although the amendment put an end to slavery, it made exemptions that allowed for its continuation as punishment for crimes. It is this loophole that was exploited for years to justify the use of prison labor for profit. William Freeman becomes a force for change in the dehumanization and exploitation of prisoners common in a profit-driven system. The book also highlights the societal and economic factors that contributed to the development of this practice. It argues that profit-driven prison labor is part of a larger system involving state-funded capitalism and businesses. This story reflects the ills of our society and how laws can be manipulated by people to suit their selfish needs.
It’s also critical to recognize the harm racism has done to American culture. Nonetheless, a number of anti-racism initiatives have improved conditions for Black people and other minorities. Freeman’s Challenge: The Murder That Shook America’s Original Prison for Profit by Robin Bernstein is enlightening and thought-provoking; it’s a great resource for understanding the origins and motivation behind the profit-driven prison system.
Author | Robin Bernstein |
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Star Count | 5/5 |
Format | Hard |
Page Count | 288 pages |
Publisher | University of Chicago Press |
Publish Date | 01-May-2024 |
ISBN | 978022674423 |
Bookshop.org | Buy this Book |
Issue | January 2025 |
Category | History |
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