Reality TV mogul and criminal justice advocate Kim Kardashian has thrown her significant cultural weight behind a renewed legislative effort to mandate federal minimum wage for incarcerated workers. The “Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act,” reintroduced Thursday by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), seeks to dismantle a system that currently allows prisons to pay workers as little as pennies per hour.
The proposed legislation aims to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act, effectively ending the exemption that allows correctional facilities to bypass federal wage floors. If passed, the bill would not only guarantee the current federal minimum wage—currently $7.25 per hour—but would also strictly limit “excessive” deductions typically taken by prisons for room, board, and administrative fees.
The “Un-American” Wage Gap
Kardashian’s endorsement stems from her firsthand observations of the 2023 Los Angeles wildfires. In an exclusive statement, she highlighted the cognitive dissonance of using incarcerated labor for high-stakes emergency response without equitable compensation.
“I personally watched incarcerated people who risked their lives battling the massive wildfires in Los Angeles last year,” Kardashian said. “They showed so much bravery… but they were paid just a few dollars a day.”
Kardashian, 45, further criticized the post-release barriers facing these workers. “In many cases, they’re banned from even applying for firefighting jobs once they’re released. That’s not just unfair, it’s un-American.”
Economic Impact and Human Cost
The labor performed by incarcerated individuals is a multi-billion dollar engine for the U.S. economy. According to data from the ACLU cited by Senator Booker’s office, prison labor contributes billions in value annually, yet the workers themselves often see almost none of it.
- Case Study: Terrance Winn, a prison reform activist, reported earning a maximum of 16 cents per hour during 30 years of labor while incarcerated.
- Economic Contribution: Incarcerated workers maintain prison infrastructure, staff call centers, and manufacture products for both government agencies and private corporations.
Senator Booker, 56, argues that fair compensation is a critical tool in reducing recidivism. By allowing incarcerated individuals to build savings, they are better equipped to support their families from behind bars and successfully reintegrate into society upon release.
“Incarcerated workers contribute meaningful labor… yet they are denied a fair wage that could help support victims and assist in their reentry,” Booker stated.
Legislative Hurdles and Growing Support
This marks Booker’s second attempt to pass the measure. A 2023 version of the bill stalled in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. However, the 2026 push carries more political momentum, bolstered by Kardashian’s involvement and companion legislation in the House led by Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA).
The bill has earned the backing of heavy-hitting advocacy groups, including:
- The ACLU
- The Brennan Center for Justice
- REFORM Alliance
Kardashian’s track record in Washington suggests her involvement is more than optics. Her previous advocacy led to the 2024 commutation of Dawn Jackson’s sentence, following years of work on the First Step Act during the Trump administration.
As the bill moves to committee, the debate will likely center on the fiscal impact on state budgets and the moral implications of the 13th Amendment’s “punishment clause,” which currently permits involuntary servitude for those convicted of a crime.
