On February 25, 2025, the Minnesota Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee hosted a panel discussion on Ending Slavery in Minnesota led by Marcia Howard, Vice President of the Federation of Teachers Local 59 and ex-prison labor workers.

According to panelists, an incarcerated worker makes $0.25-$0.50 an hour, which is split in half to pay for essential needs for the worker. They say that this is an equivalent to “damn near free labor” and needs to change. More in link below.