Zachary Crockett

Every Sunday, Scott's weekly earnings, around $14, were transferred into a trust fund controlled by the prison. And he says getting full pay wasn't guaranteed.

Most incarcerated people use their money to buy stuff at the commissary or canteen, a store inside the prison.

Most incarcerated people use their money to buy stuff at the commissary or canteen, a store inside the prison.

Most incarcerated people use their money to buy stuff at the commissary or canteen, a store inside the prison.

Scott says many people with prison jobs took on side hustles to supplement their income.

Scott says many people with prison jobs took on side hustles to supplement their income.

Scott says many people with prison jobs took on side hustles to supplement their income.

Scott had an operation making incense sticks in his cell. He'd sell them for one postage stamp, which was a form of currency behind bars.

Scott had an operation making incense sticks in his cell. He'd sell them for one postage stamp, which was a form of currency behind bars.

Scott had an operation making incense sticks in his cell. He'd sell them for one postage stamp, which was a form of currency behind bars.

Aside from the pay, Scott says his time at the printing plant was a tolerable experience. But toward the end of his sentence, he was transferred to another Correction Enterprises facility, where he refurbished traffic signs. And that was a different story.

Aside from the pay, Scott says his time at the printing plant was a tolerable experience. But toward the end of his sentence, he was transferred to another Correction Enterprises facility, where he refurbished traffic signs. And that was a different story.

Aside from the pay, Scott says his time at the printing plant was a tolerable experience. But toward the end of his sentence, he was transferred to another Correction Enterprises facility, where he refurbished traffic signs. And that was a different story.

The people who run prison labor programs often say that working at their facilities is a choice and that if a prisoner doesn't like a certain job, they're free to find other work inside the prison. But this freedom often comes with a catch. The New York Times recently reported that prisoners in an Alabama facility who refuse to take on work release jobs often face disciplinary action.

The people who run prison labor programs often say that working at their facilities is a choice and that if a prisoner doesn't like a certain job, they're free to find other work inside the prison. But this freedom often comes with a catch. The New York Times recently reported that prisoners in an Alabama facility who refuse to take on work release jobs often face disciplinary action.

The people who run prison labor programs often say that working at their facilities is a choice and that if a prisoner doesn't like a certain job, they're free to find other work inside the prison. But this freedom often comes with a catch. The New York Times recently reported that prisoners in an Alabama facility who refuse to take on work release jobs often face disciplinary action.

Again, here's law professor Laura Appelman.

Again, here's law professor Laura Appelman.

Again, here's law professor Laura Appelman.

Appelman also says that because prisoners aren't considered employees, they aren't covered by employment protections, things like workplace safety regulations and workers' comp in case of injury. But some incarcerated workers believe that prison labor will pay off for them down the line.