Episode 60: What should be done about prison labor in Virginia?

Products made from prison labor are all around us, and you might not even realize it. In fact, state law requires state agencies and public colleges to purchase products made by Virginia Correctional Enterprises. Inmates do get paid, but only 27 - 80 cents per hour.

Defenders of prison labor argue that it provides inmates with vocational skills. Critics of the prison labor system in Virginia and around the country say it’s more akin to modern day slavery.

In this week's episode, a pair of journalists explain how we got today's prison labor system, and some ideas for what should be done about it.