North Carolina, take a look at what’s happening at the General Assembly.
House Bill 353: The Fair Minimum Wage Act has been filed for the 2025–2026 session, aiming to raise the state minimum wage from $6.15/hr to:
• $10.00/hr by Jan 1, 2026
• $12.00/hr by Jan 1, 2027
• $14.00/hr by Jan 1, 2028
• $18.00/hr by Jan 1, 2030
Then, it’ll be indexed to inflation from 2031 onward.
The bill also holds employers accountable for wage theft — ensuring workers can recover unpaid wages, lost benefits, and legal fees.
These are the sponsors standing with working people in NC:
Morey (Primary), Cohn, Dew, Dahle, Ager, Alston, Ball, Brockman, G. Brown, K. Brown, T. Brown, Buansi, Butler, Cervania, Clark, Colvin, Crawford, Harrison, Hawkins, Logan, Longest, Lopez, Majeed, R. Pierce, Prather, Price, Quick, Roberson, Rubin, von Haefen.
This is what real reform looks like. If your representative is on this list — thank them. If not, ask why.
MAJOR MOMENT FOR JUSTICE IN NORTH CAROLINA
Three powerful criminal justice reform bills have passed their first readings and are moving forward!
Here’s what they would do:
Gives incarcerated individuals a chance to seek sentence reductions after serving 10+ years or 50% of shorter sentences.
SB 681 – The Prison Resources Repurposing Act
Expands parole opportunities for those sentenced to life without parole through the Mutual Agreement Parole Program (MAPP) after 20+ years served.
SB 421 – The Prison Reform Omnibus Bill
Ends forced, unpaid prison labor and replaces it with fair wages, workforce training, and reentry prep.
THIS IS HISTORIC
Together, these bills offer a real path to healing, rehabilitation, and returning home.
But they need YOUR support.
Call. Email. Organize. Tell your legislators:
PASS ALL THREE BILLS. Let our people come home with dignity.
Senate Bill DRS45239-ND-46, titled the “Prison Reform Omnibus” bill introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly (2025 session):
Purpose:
To reform prison labor laws in North Carolina by focusing on:
• Workforce development
• Protection from labor exploitation
• Voluntary, rehabilitative work opportunities
Key Changes Proposed:
1. Repeal of Outdated Labor Statutes
Sections of existing law that emphasize punishment or underpaid labor are repealed, making room for new standards.
2. Creation of the “Fair and Rehabilitative Prison Labor Act”
This new framework establishes:
• Voluntary work participation for incarcerated people
• Prioritization of job training and industry-relevant skills
• Wage requirements:
• Minimum $5/hour
• State minimum wage for certified programs (PIECP)
• Gender-equitable work policies
• Employment support post-release in collaboration with the NC Department of Commerce
Labor Protection Rules:
Agricultural Sector:
• Prohibits use of prison labor to replace or displace migrant/seasonal workers
• Requires proof of actual labor shortages before using prison labor
• Agricultural laborers must be paid prevailing wages
• Private farms cannot contract directly with prison officials
Oversight and Transparency:
• Establishes a Prison Labor Oversight Board
• Requires twice-yearly public reports on:
• Hours worked
• Wages paid
• Job placement success
• Allegations of unsafe/forced labor
• Creates a Prison Labor Complaint Hotline
Department of Transportation & Forestry Work:
• No forced labor — must be voluntary and fairly paid
• Includes training and certifications (e.g., firefighting, forestry)
• Requires medical assessments before assigning physically demanding work
Work Release Programs:
• Encourages work release for those serving up to 5 years, if jobs are available
• Mandates detailed accounting of wages and deductions
• Work-release earnings can be used for:
• Living costs
• Restitution
• Family support
• Personal savings
Facility Oversight:
• Allows contracts for private or out-of-state prison facilities, with strict reporting and insurance standards
• Prohibits new private prisons from housing out-of-state incarcerated people
Additional Notes:
• Incarcerated individuals can no longer be forced into labor without fair pay
• Youth protections are in place (e.g., under 16 cannot be sent to Central Prison unless for serious offenses)
• Stronger escapee procedures, oversight of work conditions, and protections from exploitative treatment
Effective Date:
July 1, 2026
NC House Bill 589 – The Second Look Act – is moving forward!
Filed on March 31, 2025, and already passed its 1st Reading, this bill gives incarcerated people a chance to petition for sentence reduction if they’ve:
• Served 10 years, or
• Served 50% of a sentence that’s 10 years or less
The court would consider: age at the time of offense, behavior while incarcerated, rehabilitation, trauma history, and more.
This bill is about second chances, reducing mass incarceration, and reevaluating lengthy sentences with compassion and logic.
Effective Date: December 1, 2025
Next Step: It’s now in the House Rules Committee!
CALL TO ACTION:
Keep the pressure on! Call and email your legislators and urge them to support HB 589 – The Second Look Act. Let them know North Carolinians believe in justice, redemption, and smart reform.
North Carolina — We have TWO historic criminal justice bills on the table. Let’s make some noise.
1. House Bill 589 – The Second Look Act
This bill gives incarcerated individuals a second chance by allowing them to petition for a sentence reduction after serving 10 years — if they are no longer a threat to the community and have shown growth. It encourages the court to consider age, rehabilitation, trauma, mental health, and more.
This is about redemption, not retribution.
2. Senate Bill 681 – The Prison Resources Repurposing Act
This would finally make parole possible for people sentenced to life without parole. After 20 years, with participation in education, work, and accountability programs (MAPP), individuals would get a shot at release. It also applies retroactively for those already serving long sentences.
Everyone deserves a pathway to hope.
Why it matters:
• Over 30% of NC’s prison population is over age 55.
• Long sentences do NOT equal public safety.
• Our state is overspending on incarceration and underinvesting in healing.
• These bills reflect common sense, humanity, and fiscal responsibility.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
• Email and call your NC legislators TODAY.
• Ask them to support H.B. 589 & S.B. 681.
• Encourage them to sign on as co-sponsors while there’s still time.
Individual emails and calls make the biggest difference.
If you have a loved one in prison — or just believe in fairness, mercy, and justice — this is your moment.
Senate Bill 681 has officially been filed!
This bill could open the door to parole eligibility for people sentenced to life without parole in North Carolina. Everyone deserves the opportunity to show growth, healing, and rehabilitation.
What SB681 does:
• Allows those sentenced to life without parole to be considered for parole after serving 20 years
• Requires participation in education and job programs through the Mutual Agreement Parole Program (MAPP)
• Makes eligibility retroactive for people who’ve already served 20+ years
• Gives second chances through earned opportunity, not blanket release
• Promotes accountability, healing, and public safety
Why this matters:
North Carolina is one of the last states with no parole option for life sentences. If you believe in redemption, transformation, and fairness, this is the moment to act.
If you have a loved one serving life—or just believe everyone should be able to see the parole board— now is the time to make noise.
TAKE ACTION:
1. Email your legislators
2. Call their offices
3. Share this post and spread the word
Let’s bring hope home.
NC House Bill 589 — The Second Look Act — has been introduced!
This bill gives incarcerated individuals a second chance by allowing them to petition for a sentence reduction after serving at least 10 years, as long as they’re not a danger to the community.
It pushes for judges to consider:
• The age and growth of the person since the offense
• Evidence of rehabilitation, trauma history, and role in the offense
• Mental health evaluations and support from victims’ families
Why it matters:
• NC prison costs have nearly quadrupled.
• 1 in 3 incarcerated people are over age 55.
• Long sentences don’t deter crime — but second chances change lives.
TAKE ACTION:
We have a 48-hour window to gain co-sponsors!
Contact your legislators TODAY.
Example
Dear Members of the General Assembly,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my strong support for House Bill H.B. 589, known as the Second Look Act, which has recently been filed in the North Carolina General Assembly. This bill presents a crucial opportunity for meaningful reform in our criminal justice system, particularly regarding sentence reduction and rehabilitation.
Why We Need to Support H.B. 589:
Addressing Overcrowding and Costs: The bill recognizes that North Carolina’s prison population has seen a significant increase, with nearly two million people currently incarcerated. By allowing individuals who have served substantial time—specifically those serving sentences of 10 years or more—a chance to have their sentences reviewed, we can alleviate overcrowding and reduce the financial burden on taxpayers.
Promoting Rehabilitation: Research indicates that lengthy prison sentences often do not deter crime. Instead, they drain resources from essential public safety services. The Second Look Act encourages rehabilitation by acknowledging that aging individuals are less likely to reoffend, thus allowing for a more humane and effective approach to justice.
Empowering Individuals: This bill provides a pathway for individuals to petition for sentence modifications based on their behavior and the interests of public safety. It empowers those who have demonstrated rehabilitation to reintegrate into society, fostering a sense of hope and opportunity.
By supporting H.B. 589, we can contribute to a more just and equitable system that prioritizes rehabilitation and recognizes the potential for change. Please consider advocating for this important legislation in your conversations with legislators.
Thank you for your attention to this vital issue.
Sincerely,
