There is a reason why some prisons have work release programs. It is to get the prisoners to learn how to work their time off, and give back to those who they might have harmed in any way (for example, someone might have stolen allot of stuff, and got sent to jail, and now while in jail, he is working to help pay for the items he stole).
I rather they go get an education or a career like computers, carpentry or auto mechanics in prison, and look for a job when they are released, so they can be tax payers rather then re-offenders since I think many of the skills they learn doing these basic jobs probably won't help them find a job easily since they are ex-cons, and unskilled. But, if they have better skills they might be more motivated to get a good job, and not rob someone once no one will hire them.
I think it depends on how many rights does a prisoner retain. They have committed a crime and owe a debt to society (although I don't agree with that .. they owe a debt to their victim) and living in prison, they are a further drain on society financially. I, for one, believe that they relinquish their rights when they committed the crime so yeah, put them to work!!
