Maybe he gives a vague description of wealth because it is different for everyone like Ian said. I would consider myself wealthy if I had all my bills paid. Others would see me as poor because I don't vacation in the Greek Isles every summer. In my opinion anyway. I think those in prison recieved more attention because the conditions are evident to others.
People find easy excuses to ignore poverty.
People would be able to use these excuses to justify the conditions of the poor, rather than look at the social responsiblity. I hear some, including myself sometimes, saying 'I'm glad i'm not that bad, or as bad as they are'. I think maybe I'm coming back to Ashley's answer to the question. Irony in engles. The only time the workers or children were religious was when they cursed.