Prisoner work in the Americas: An introduction

In this introductory essay, we aim for three goals. First, we write briefly about the genesis of the project that eventually became this themed issue, both to give context for the important papers herein, and to make a point about the value of global exchange in terms of southernizing and decolonizing punishment and society studies, specifically related to the North and South of the Americas. Second, we offer a few overarching comments regarding the nature of prisoner work in the Americas, with an eye toward those readers who might like to use the papers contained herein to conduct further research and theorizing on the topic. Third, and finally, we close with a few comments about each paper, again with the goal of highlighting accomplishments and areas for future inquiry which we, ultimately, hope this themed issue inspires.