Which act aimed to regulate the interstate commerce of prison-produced goods?

The Hawes-Cooper Act is designed to regulate the interstate commerce of prison-produced goods. Enacted in 1929, this legislation sought to limit the economic impact of goods produced in prisons on the free market by requiring that any product produced in a state penal institution could only be sold within that state or to the federal government. This was mainly to address concerns about competition between prison labor and free labor in the marketplace, which could undermine fair employment practices and wages.

This act played a significant role in the broader context of criminal justice and labor economics, as it aimed to balance the interests of privately owned businesses and the inmates who were often viewed as taking jobs away from free workers. By establishing these regulations, the Hawes-Cooper Act helped shape the economic landscape surrounding prison labor and its implications on state economies and labor markets.