1. The Legacy of Slavery in American Law
The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1865, ostensibly ended slavery. However, its critical exception—allowing involuntary servitude “as a punishment for crime”—created a legal loophole with far-reaching consequences. This exception enabled states to force incarcerated individuals, disproportionately Black, into hard labor. The text’s ambiguity continues to shape the prison system’s role in society. For a close look at the amendment’s wording and historical impact, see the National Archives.
