Just to clarify things here, American prisoners are not coerced, forced, or made to work. It is done on a voluntary basis. It is a way to alleviate the drudgery and boredom that accompanies prison life. Most prisoners want and choose to work. Not only that, prisoners are allowed to attend college level courses. Slavery, brutal treatment? No, just media nonsense. My source of info? My brother in law, he is a California Correction officer at Vacaville State prison.