Digitization and Exploitation: Acknowledging and Addressing the Use of Exploitative Prison Labor by Libraries and Archives

Abstract

This article draws on exploitation theory to argue that the use of underpaid prison labor for digitization projects and other memory work is unethical. Such projects, and therefore our cultural memory institutions, exploit incarcerated people. As the for-profit prison industrial complex only continues to grow and disproportionately affects Black, Indigenous, and people of color, it is imperative that the information profession recognize its contribution to this moral wrong. To this end, I offer two potential interventions: (a) hiring formerly incarcerated people in memory institutions and (b) clearly and honestly disclosing the use of prison labor to users. Enacting these interventions will not end the exploitation of incarcerated people but will provide meaningful benefits to those who are (formerly) incarcerated and work toward greater transparency with our patrons.

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