To touch on your last point, yes. Prison jobs should be treated basically the same as a real world job, where practicable. You interview for a job, you get pai

To touch on your last point, yes. Prison jobs should be treated basically the same as a real world job, where practicable. You interview for a job, you get paid a fair market rate, you get reasonable paid time off and sick time. On the flip side of that, you also need to pay for your own lodging and food. Also at fair market rate (accounting for prison quality generally being lower means lower rent, I wager). You could offer nicer accommodations that prisoners can upgrade to, for a higher monthly rent. And maybe the food line has different meal options. If you want to splurge one day to celebrate, you could order a steak or lobster, or something.