Colorado to use convicts to replace farm workers

DENVER – Ever since passing what its legislature touted as the toughest anti-illegal immigrant laws in the nation last summer, Colorado has struggled with a labor shortage as migrants fled the state. This week, officials announced a novel solution: use convicts as farm workers.

The Department of Corrections hopes to launch a pilot program this month – thought to be the first of its kind – that would contract with more than a dozen farms. Crops were left to spoil in the fields after passage of legislation that required state identification to obtain government services and allowed police to check suspects’ immigration status.

Inmates who are a low security risk may choose to work, earning 60 cents a day. They also are eligible for small bonuses.

The inmates will be watched by prison guards paid for by the farms. The precise cost is subject to negotiations.

Advocates on both sides of the immigration debate said they were stunned.

“If they can’t get slaves from Mexico, they want them from the jails,” said Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington, which favors immigration restrictions.

Ricardo Martinez of the Denver immigrants rights group Padres Unidos asked: “Are we going to pull in inmates to work in the service industry too? You won’t have enough inmates – unless you start importing them from Texas.”

Farmers said they weren’t happy with the solution either, but their livelihoods are on the verge of collapse.

“This prison labor is not a cure for the immigration problem, it’s just a Band-Aid,” said Joe Pisciotta. He says he needs to be sure he’ll have enough workers come harvest time before he plants on his 700-acre farm in Avendale, Colo. But he’s not thrilled with the idea of criminals working his fields. “I’ve got young kids,” he said.