Penal labour

Penal labour is a generic term for various kinds of unfree labour which prisoners are required to perform, typically manual labour. The work may be light or hard, depending on the context. Forms of sentence involving penal labour have included imprisonment with hard labour, convict labour, and labour camps.

History

Penal labour has been a part of societies across the globe and throughout history, from the Roman Empire to modern times. It was used as a form of punishment and also as a means of economic production.

Types of Penal Labour

Imprisonment with Hard Labour

Imprisonment with hard labour was a form of punishment where prisoners were made to do hard physical work. This form of penal labour was abolished in most countries in the 20th century.

Convict Labour

Convict labour is a form of penal labour where the labour of convicts is sold on the open market. This was a common practice in the British Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Labour Camps

Labour camps are a form of penal labour where prisoners are forced to perform labour-intensive tasks, often in harsh conditions. These have been used in various regimes, including the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.

Criticism and Controversy

Penal labour has been criticized for its inhumane conditions and for being a form of modern slavery. It has also been criticized for its use in political repression, particularly in totalitarian regimes.

See Also

• Prison labour
• Chain gang
• Forced labour
• Slavery