Work has been viewed as punishment, as reward, and as a form of rehabilitation. 19th century make Contract labor goods sold on open market Forced labor camps- legalized slavery High mortality rate in such camps, bad conditions, brutality 20th century, private companies came within walls as well as those who contracted for prison labor outside of walls. Ended during depression, unfair competition. Congress lifted its ban on interstate commerce for prison-made goods. Still, most prisoners work in routine, manual jobs with little hope of using skills on outside.
Some prisons have better opportunities than others.
Even fewer opportunities for women. Allow strong to dominate weak. Do not get involved in sex or drugs. Kill plants of those who grow them, scratch furniture that an inmate is making, and so forth. Human service-oriented officers are mostly satisfied with their jobs.