[1] The First Amendment in the United States Constitution states Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[9] However, the State of North Carolina did not approve of this development and decided to try and eliminate unions among these prisoners.

The state was in favor of individual members within the union but sought to eliminate mail, solicitation, and meetings.

This claim was that their rights of the First Amendment, including free speech, association, and assembly activities were being stepped on.

[10] The Prisoners' Labor Union of Appellee argued that their First Amendment and Equal Protection rights were violated by regulations in the North Carolina Department of Correction.

Through the creation of unions, they believed that inmates would use the organization to slow work, cause stoppages, and other unwanted problems.

Their statement was, "We are unable to perceive why it is necessary or essential to security and order in the prisons to forbid solicitation of membership in a union permitted by the authorities.

"[10] Following the ruling of the district court, it was decided that they did not give proper deference to the decisions of prison administrators.

While looking at the argument, the natural laws of protection for officials inside prisons were overlooked.

People against the ruling stated that it was only natural that prison administrators would have to impose limits on constitutional rights, including those from the First Amendment.

From a sociopolitical standpoint, it is important to recognize that the prisoners' movement is built on the backs of a minoritized group.