There are a lot of gray areas around imprisoning people. I (like all other apes and probably most intelligent animals in the world) believe 'eye for an eye' is basically the embodiment of true justice. Everything else is a mix of punishment and practicality. The fact that inmates are forced to work is so low on the level of what their punishment is, that it doesn't even register in my book. I think most inmates actually like having jobs to do. From what you cited, it sounds like if they don't like it, they can just sit in solitary instead. And as far as rehabilitation goes, it seems like an essential ingredient.

It would definitely be nice to give them a decent wage, but I think this is an area where practicality matters as well- prisons cost money and man-hours. I don't know about the economics, but getting rid of for-profit prisons seems like a good idea.