China's use of forced labor in profit-making prisons

[FreakinDJ]

Interesting read

This roundtable examined China's use of forced labor in profit-making prisons. From recent reports, the Chinese government's use of forced labor persists. The Commission is concerned that prison labor products are entering United States' markets, even though the U.S. and China have signed two agreements, in 1992 and 1994, to bar exports of prison products to the U.S. and to allow for inspections of forced labor facilities. The U.S. has received little cooperation in implementing these agreements.

Mr. Wu has documented the use of forced labor in China since 1992. The LRF publishes an annual Laogai Handbook, newsletters, special investigative reports and assists television media in preparing documentary films on the Laogai system. The LRF has expanded its focus to report on other human rights issues including organ harvesting and the persecution of religious believers.

Mr. Fiedler is a co-founder of the LRF. When Harry Wu was detained in 1995, Mr. Fiedler coordinated the public campaign to win his release. Mr. Fiedler is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Pacific Council on International Policy. He attended three of the American Assembly conferences on China sponsored by Columbia University and has been interviewed on CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN and CNBC regularly on China policy, international trade issues, human rights, and child labor.

http://www.cecc.gov/pages/roundtables/062305/index.php

Attention: Walmart shoppers! Files on isle 22 at 1/2 price. Great for sawing through jail house bars

[MetaTrope]

1. Buy USA!

Prison Blues Clothing

[FreakinDJ]

2. Not your average Prison labor program by Chinese standards

About Prison Blues

The inmates who work in the Prison Blues factory do so at their own request. No one is forced to work in the plant and the workers are paid the prevailing industry wage for the job they do. After deductions for taxes, bed and board and victim restitution, workers keep around 20% of the earnings, which can be sent to relatives or saved to provide a “ nest egg ” for their release. There is currently a three year waiting list for workers to get on the programme.

http://www.prisonblues.co.uk/inside/Default.asp

This program at least gives the prisoners a "one up" on life after incarceration and even perhaps a lower rate of recidivism. Some thing I could support.

But as far as China using forced prison labor to finance their military build up and on going suppression of basic human rights that is another thing altogether

[David__77]

3. What about US prison labor?

Value is extracted from US prisoners too. There are private corporations specializing in this sort of thing.

[Selatius]

4. There is no cheaper labor than slave labor, which is what it is tantamount to.

We see here in China that capitalist tyranny has replaced communist tyranny. Meet your new boss. Same as the old boss.