3. The Rise of Convict Leasing
In the late 19th century, Southern states established the convict leasing system, renting incarcerated people to private companies for profit. This practice replaced slavery with a new form of coerced labor that was even more brutal and deadly, as businesses had little incentive to ensure prisoners’ well-being. Convict leasing became a lucrative enterprise for states and corporations, fueling economic growth on the backs of Black prisoners. To learn more about this exploitative system and its legacy, visit Smithsonian Magazine.
