In addition, he or she can sell to prison enterprises that need supplies. Inmates should compete for employment opportunities and industry should compete for their labor. This solves many problems, including which specific inmates to match up with which specific training and job opportunities. Each new commercial industry will not generate a positive gross margin over time. Planning for success does not ensure it.
Socialized industry has a poor track record compared to struggling entrepreneurs.
Even creative cost accounting usually cannot make socialized industry look successful. Historically, worker productivity in state industry behind bars has been one quarter of that for private enterprise behind bars. If bureaucrats can do it, they are best advised to move to the private marketplace and grab a golden ring or two. This is routinely violated throughout the world, including the Federal prison system. It's time for a remedy.