Prisoners' rights have been a significant issue throughout Black history in the United States. From slavery to the present day, Black individuals have faced disproportionate rates of incarceration and harsh treatment in prisons. During the era of slavery, enslaved Black people had few, if any, legal rights and were often subject to brutal conditions and treatment while imprisoned.

After the Civil War and during the Reconstruction era, the issue of prisoners' rights continued to be a concern as Black individuals were targeted and incarcerated at higher rates than their white counterparts. The convict leasing system, in which prisoners, predominantly Black, were leased out to private companies for labor, further exploited and abused incarcerated individuals.

In the 20th century, the Civil Rights Movement brought increased attention to the issue of prisoners' rights, with activists advocating for fair treatment and improved conditions for all incarcerated individuals, particularly Black prisoners who continued to face discrimination and mistreatment within the criminal justice system.

The 1960s and 1970s saw the rise of the prisoners' rights movement, with organizations like the National Prisoners' Rights Organization and the Black Panther Party advocating for the rights of incarcerated individuals. These efforts led to important legal victories, such as the landmark Supreme Court case Estelle v. Gamble (1976), which established that deliberate indifference to the medical needs of prisoners constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment.

Today, the fight for prisoners' rights continues, with organizations like the NAACP and the ACLU working to address issues such as mass incarceration, solitary confinement, and the exploitation of prison labor. The legacy of Black activism in this area serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality within the criminal justice system.