I personally think prisoners ought to work. In fact, international law would support at least the right of prisoners to work as we can read in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
Even granting prisoners the right to work would already be a step forward to alleviate the economic pressure of the prison system by allowing those who want to to work. If we should require prisoners to pay for their room, board, security and necessities, then many would likely be more than happy to work so as to benefit from more favourable living conditions in prison.
I know some might think of prison labour as being cruel or against human rights, but I just don't see how that's the case when we all have to work too.
Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
Even granting prisoners the right to work would already be a step forward to alleviate the economic pressure of the prison system by allowing those who want to to work. If we should require prisoners to pay for their room, board, security and necessities, then many would likely be more than happy to work so as to benefit from more favourable living conditions in prison.
I know some might think of prison labour as being cruel or against human rights, but I just don't see how that's the case when we all have to work too.