StarBucks and Prison Labor:

I have learned that many familiar companies have unknown to the public used prison labor at one time or another in the past years. Throughout my research I learned companies such as Honda, TWA and even Microsoft have used prison labor.

I was preparing for an upcoming lecture I am doing on the 13th Amendment and the Prison Industrial Complex at the University of Maryland. Going over some facts on prison labor I came across StarBucks on a list of companies using prison labor. I go to StarBucks almost everyday. I like the coffee, and I was feeling what the company was doing for people. I double checked and sure enough, I found them on another list.

I wanted to know why they would use prison labor, if it was in fact true. And if it was true, I was ready to try and get them to change their minds. Anyway it was easy enough to find an e-mail address to the corporate office. I am just going to paste our e-mail conversation then of course I am going to voice my opinion. The e-mail communication went as follows:

From Capital-X: Good day. I am a regular customer at Starbucks no matter where I travel even abroad. As a consumer I would hope that I receive an honest answer to the question I have for you. I recently read in a book that your company uses prison labor to manufacture products, I would like to know if this is indeed true? As I said I hope to receive an honest reply to my question. Thank you very much for your time. Sincerely. Capital-X

Response from Starbucks Coffee Company - Case # 5161151:
Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:56:33 -0800

Hello Capital-X,

Thank you for contacting Starbucks Coffee Company.

Starbucks Coffee Company has contracted with Signature Packaging Solutions, a company that has occasionally supplemented its workforce in the past with domestic inmate labor from Twin Rivers Prison in Washington State. We believe a program like this reflects good business and social practices consistent with our Mission Statement, which guides us to treat each other with respect and dignity, embrace diversity as a key component of the way we do business and contribute positively to our communities.

To us, the prison labor program had the potential to benefit society as a whole by addressing a variety of social concerns because:

Prison laborers were paid the prevailing minimum wage for the job-enabling them to contribute toward incarceration costs, support their families, and pay taxes and victim restitution.
Participation was completely voluntary and earned through good behavior. There were waiting lists of inmates who wanted to work.
Inmates received on-the-job training that could help them prepare for civilian life, ultimately helping to reduce recidivism rates.
Working could help rehabilitate inmates by providing a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, and improving self-esteem.

Signature Packaging Solutions ended its use of prison labor in May 2004. Starbucks reviews its contract with Signature Packaging Solutions on a yearly basis.

For more information on the history of prison labor use in Washington State, please contact the Washington State Department of Corrections at www.doc.wa.gov.

I hope that this addresses your concerns. Again, thank you for contacting Starbucks Coffee Company.

Sincerely,

Sheena L.
Starbucks Customer Relations


If you would like to share your thoughts about your experience with Starbucks Customer Contact Center, please click on the link below to participate in a short survey. Your comments will be used to ensure that any future experiences with Starbucks Customer Contact Center meet your highest expectations.

http://www.starbuckscontactcenter.com/star_ccc_index.asp?group=CR&template=CR119

Capital-X Re: Good day; I first want to thank you for your response and then again for your honesty. I admit I only know a little about the history of your company but I do want to say what I have heard I appreciated and supported by not only being a loyal customer but also speaking in behalf of the work Starbucks does in defense really to misinformed individuals that ended seemingly appreciative of being enlightened on some of what Starbucks stands for. But now, the intentions stated here in your e-mail though very well worded read like a marketing tool to solicit companies such as yours to participate in such programs as the prison labor program. The prison labor programs are much like the prisoner leasing programs from the 1800's which were considered a failure. I understand at the present moment you are not engaged in this practice, but I am seeking to enlighten your company on the truths about these programs so that maybe in the future your great intentions are not misplaced.
The prison leasing program was identified by many experts as a form of slavery. In all actuality the right that you have chosen to practice (using prison labor) is indeed protected by the constitution of the United States, The 13th Amendment, which clearly uses the term 'Slavery'. Without going further into detail, I have knowledge of the entire under-structure of prison labor. It all adds up to dollars and cents.
Prisoners need work upon entering back into society, they need guaranteed work. Working in prison is not going to better a prisoners chances at all, I speak from experience. They need education, and alternative education for those that can't adjust to formal education. Prisoners are forced to work in all prisons. If prisoners refuse to work they are disciplined. You can choose jobs at times, but you have to work.
I am asking your company to look into this further. At face value yes it seems to have the best intentions, but when you really look into it, it is appalling. I am in hopes that your company as I said would further look into this and publicly denounce such a practice. No matter how you paint the picture forced labor in any fashion has no room in a civilized society.

Sincerely,

Capital-X

President: 305375 The Voice Of The Voiceless

Response From Starbucks Coffee Company - Case # 5161151: Hello Capital-X,

Thanks so much for contacting us.

Your feedback is very important to us, so we appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. I want to assure you that I've passed on your comments to the appropriate people in our company for their attention.

If you have any other questions or concerns, don't hesitate to call our Customer Relations department at (800) 23-LATTE. Or, email us via www.starbucks.com/customer/contact.asp.

Thank you again for contacting Starbucks, we really appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Sheena L.
Customer Relations
Starbucks Coffee Company

If you would like to share your thoughts about your experience with Starbucks Customer Contact Center, please click on the link below to participate in a short survey. Your comments will be used to ensure that any future experiences with Starbucks Customer Contact Center meet your highest expectations.

http://www.starbuckscontactcenter.com/star_ccc_index.asp?group=CR&template=CR105

I give them mad respect for being honest. Not long after I received their replies I found stories on them using prison labor through Signature Packaging Solutions which seems to be a very large corporation. Let me just say this real quick. An associate of mine in the past has asked me straight up, how do they profit from having people in prison. It's not an easy question to just answer, see the structure though simple is very complex because those benefiting from the prison industrial complex have free run to make it into anything they want. I am sure that if I had access to the records of investors in Signature Packaging Solutions stocks I would find a gene pool of politicians and corrections personal. See the billions of dollars spent on the prison industrial complex is funneled to where ever they choose. Just as our now President owning large shares of a private prison industrial complex, many others with close ties to the industry also have large investments.

Bottom line, prison labor is the new face of slavery there is no question about it. Starbucks or Honda are promised quality service and product at let's say minimum wage. Take note that a prisoner being paid the state minimum wage is rare but it doesn't matter anyway because what Starbucks doesn't know is that prisoners see very little of that money if any at all. 50 to 60% of a prisoners income is taken for room and board, fines, victims of crimes and they take taxes out. After that they deduct for any medical you receive like for a headache I got 2 children's Tylenol, they cost $5.00 each plus the doctor visit was like $20.00. Believe me they get all that money from you one way or another. It won't leave the prison complex. Companies don't have to pay for health care, which was one of Starbucks strong points. They don't have to pay for retirement, no raises, no paid holidays or sick days. No worries about someone not coming to work. In the end, they save money. Sure it sounds good, you are trying to do good in society. Well there are plenty of other ways to do that. Just give an ex-prisoner a job, that will help.

Prison labor generates millions of dollars. This money is returned right back into the machine which puts it into pockets. Tax payers are already paying for each prison bed filled or empty that bill is coming just like the electric bill. Victims of crimes get their cut, this has all been budgeted. You think every time the state makessome money they are going to re-adjust the budget? No, any revenue is going to be pumped back into the pool where they all dip their hands at will.

These prison labor programs cause a lot of people to lose their jobs in the free world; it closes down entire companies. Some companies have actually shut down their factories in the free world to relocate behind prison walls. Relocation paid for by the state. These such companies will save on rent and assorted taxes. Hundreds become unemployed. I have read companies testimonies justifying their actions by saying they would have moved to another country if not for the states offer. And then there is the competition. Saving so much money on labor costs, companies can now under bid all competition literally driving some companies under. To sum it all up prison labor does more harm than good over all for society. It's slavery. They just gave it a face lift.

I was glad Starbucks isn't using prison labor at the moment. That's not saying the next bid won't be won by a prison labor based company. I don't plan on policing every place I go into, but if it does appear before me yea, I am going to speak up. There are so many people that want to speak out but can't, I can, so why remain silent to injustices? Coming to you From The Frontlines. "X"