[plasmatix]

Allowing anyone to benefit from forced labor sounds like an invitation for corruption.

[codexb]

There is some truth to this statement. Historically, work detail for prisoners benefitted society as a whole -- litter cleanup, public works projects, license plate manufacturing, etc.

[red-iron-pine]

compared to what, the rest of the economy or political establishment?

the difference is that the people getting screwed over were judged guilty of crimes by a jury of their peers or other due process.