The idea of a prison system has been present in nearly all societies since the dawn of time. Prisoners throughout history have usually been made up of people from marginalized groups such as enemy countries, the lower class, or racial minorities. The form of punishment that prisoners have experienced throughout has history has often been delegated to be one that is labor-focused. The treatment that prisoners have experienced following their release from the prison system is one that is filled with a lack of privilege. Now and throughout all of history, prisoners have often been subject to much discrimination and prejudice both in person and how they’ve been portrayed in media.
Look down, look down
Don't look 'em in the eye
Look down, look down,
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For instance, in Ancient Egypt it was chain gangs that led to the building of the pyramids. In the article “Les Miserables: Chain gangs and the cruel and unusual punishments clause,” the author WI Peloso argues that chain gangs are a form of cruel and unusual punishment that should be outlawed. In order to support her argument, Peloso refers to several legal cases and instances of specific chain gangs. For instance, she recounts one instance of a chain gang in Alabama where the prisoners were harmed. Following this occurrence, the laws relating to chain gangs were changed. Chain gangs were very popular in Hugo’s time and continued to be until the late …show more content…
However, many prisoners do work. This work is discussed in Genevieve LeBaron’s article “Rethinking Prison Labor: Social Discipline and the State in Historical Perspective.” She claims that the labor of prisons is vital for the functioning of capitalism in the United States. The economic theory that she uses is the political economy theory which is one that is centered around the idea of a producing class who produces product, some of which is necessary product and some of which is the surplus. The surplus goes to the appropriating class. According to this theory, LeBaron argues that prisoner workers are necessary to the