Convict Labor for Road Work (Classic Reprint)

James Edward Pennybacker, Herbert Sinclair Fairbank

ISBN 10: 152852490X / ISBN 13: 9781528524902

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. This book presents an exhaustive overview of convict labor in road work, the convict lease system, and the contract system. The author provides historical context and traces the evolution of convict labor practices from ancient Rome up to the early 20th century. Exploring the ethical and economic dimensions of convict labor, the book examines the arguments for and against its use on public works projects, revealing the prevalence of convict road work in the American South. By tracing the historical trajectory of convict labor, this book offers insights into the ongoing debate surrounding the intersection of criminal justice and infrastructure development. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9781528524902_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Convict Labor for Road Work (Classic Reprint)
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 152852490X
• ISBN 13: 9781528524902
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Audits and Surveys

About this title

Synopsis

Explore the policy and practice behind convict labor in road construction. This government bulletin explains why states turn to convict workers, how different systems operate, and what tradeoffs affect cost, safety, and outcomes.

This edition distills findings from extensive field visits, consultations with highway and prison officials, and a wide range of sources from the early 20th century. It presents six convict-labor systems, from lease to public-works-and-ways, and shows how each approach shapes discipline, pay, supervision, and competition with free labor. The book also examines health, sanitation, and medical care in camps, with practical recommendations for better camp design and operations.

What you’ll experience
- An overview of six convict-labor systems and how they differ in control, profit, and use
- Insights into how states organize camps, supervise work, and manage costs
- Discussion of camp health, medical care, sanitation, and safety practices
- Practical recommendations for policy choices, cost reporting, and administration

Ideal for readers seeking a historical view of early 20th‑century road building, public policy, and the economics of convict labor in infrastructure.

Ideal for researchers, students, and professionals interested in public works, prison administration, and labor policy.