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SJR 5

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa eliminating involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Izaah Knox

Iowa constitutional amendment eliminating forced labor as criminal punishment, requiring prison work to become voluntary or compensated.

Subcommittee: Rozenboom, Celsi, and Schultz.
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Bill Summary · SJR 5

Legislative bill overview

SJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment to Iowa's state constitution that would eliminate the exception allowing involuntary servitude (forced labor) as punishment for crime. Currently, Iowa's constitution permits compulsory labor as part of criminal sentences, a provision that traces back to post-Civil War era language found in many state constitutions.

Why is this important

This addresses a significant civil rights issue: incarcerated individuals can currently be compelled to work without meaningful compensation or choice, effectively creating a modern form of forced labor. Eliminating this constitutional carve-out would require Iowa to fundamentally restructure how it approaches labor within its correctional system and align with growing national movements to remove this historical language from state constitutions.

Potential points of contention

  • Correctional system operations: Prison labor programs are integral to institutional functioning and state budgets; eliminating the constitutional basis could require significant operational and financial restructuring
  • Compensation and incentives: Eliminating the servitude exception may require Iowa to compensate incarcerated workers fairly or make prison labor voluntary, substantially increasing costs
  • Constitutional amendment threshold: Passing a constitutional amendment requires broader legislative supermajority and voter approval, making implementation a multi-year process with uncertain outcomes

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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