Kim Kardashian is still in her activist era. The reality star turned aspiring lawyer is continuing to put her weight behind various causes. This week, Kardashian publicly endorsed new legislation introduced by Cory Booker that would require incarcerated workers in federal prisons to be paid the federal minimum wage.
The bill, which Booker reintroduced on March 19, would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act and eliminate what his office describes as “excessive” deductions for fees, fines, and living costs that often eat away at the little money incarcerated people earn.
For Kim, the issue is personal after the wildfire that took hold of LA in 2025. “I personally watched incarcerated people who risked their lives battling the massive wildfires in Los Angeles last year,” she said in a statement to PEOPLE. “They showed so much bravery and commitment doing the same dangerous work as professional firefighters, but they were paid just a few dollars a day.”
“In many cases, they’re banned from even applying for firefighting jobs once they’re released,” she added. “That’s not just unfair, it’s un-American.”
© VALERIE MACONThe conversation surrounding prison labor has long been a topic of controversy. According to data frequently cited by the ACLU, incarcerated workers contribute billions of dollars annually to the U.S. economy, yet many earn cents per hour. Prison reform advocate Terrance Winn, who was incarcerated for 30 years, has said he made no more than 16 cents per hour during his time working behind bars.
According to the Los Angeles Times, inmates in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, who make up about 30% of California’s wildfire-fighting force and perform the same tasks as regular firefighters, can earn $26.90 for a 24-hour shift.
Booker argues the bill is about dignity and long-term impact. “Incarcerated workers contribute meaningful labor that supports our economy and our communities, yet they are denied a fair wage that could help support victims and assist in their reentry,” he said, noting that fair pay could help reduce recidivism.
Private for-profit prison companies operate both federal and state facilities, so those could be impacted. Private prisons sit at the center of one of the most controversial corners of the U.S. justice system. Unlike publicly run facilities, they’re operated by for-profit companies that contract with federal or state governments, meaning their bottom line depends on keeping beds filled and costs low. Over the years, critics have argued that this model incentivizes incarceration and turns imprisoned people into a source of cheap labor.
Advocates say corporations and government agencies benefit from that labor while workers have little bargaining power and limited protections. Supporters of reform argue that paying fair wages could reduce recidivism, allow people to support their families, and give them real savings upon release.
© GettyKardashian’s support fits squarely into the legal path she’s been building over the past several years. She has worked directly with incarcerated individuals, visited prisons, and advocated for clemency cases, including helping bring attention to Dawn Jackson’s decades-long imprisonment before her sentence was commuted in 2024. In 2023, she and her sister Khloé visited a California state prison alongside REFORM Alliance’s Future Shapers Advisory Council to speak with inmates about reentry challenges.
The bill is also backed by Representatives Emanuel Cleaver and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, along with organizations like the ACLU and the Brennan Center for Justice.
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