As has been noted, the 13th amendment prohibit's involuntary servitude except as punishment for a crime.

Involuntary servitude means you have no choice, not that you aren't fed in the process. Indeed, even slaves are usually fed and housed since they constitute an investment on their owners' part (usually not well fed or housed, of course). The camps where you were forced to work without eating were known as death camps, which fortunately would fall under the cruel and unusual punishment clause here.

Yeah, I realize that I'm commenting more on the complaint in the article where they say that getting 25 cents a hour isn't enough but when you don't have to pay for shelter or food 25 cents an hour is likely as good as or perhaps better than minimum wage.

Actually, according to the article as well as an NPR commentator, prisoners in Georgia receive no pay whatsoever for their labor, None, $0.00/hour.

Note all that extreme overcrowding, a lack of nutritious food as well as a lack of heating and cooling were mentioned in the demands. If they are correct, it's hard to imagine worse conditions aside from outright torture.

Not sure why the parent was down voted - this is a legitimate statement - while they are not compensated, they are given free room and board which is at times more than what low income poverty stricken families can guarantee themselves.

They are incarcerated for a reason (yes there are cases of innocence - but realistically, the majority of offenders are in there for a reason). Whether it was a crime out of necessity, passion or simply because the perpetrator was downright crazy - they committed a crime, and their legal rights should be minimized to a minimum without making it a case of human rights violations.

If a work or education program can be offered to help people possibly correct their lives, excellent - if rehabilitation is possible - great. But they should not have the same rights as regular law abiding citizens.