Ministry of Home Affairs Prisoners should be required to work to offset the cost of keeping them in jail
Some people argued that prisoners should not be required to work because it is "forced labor".

I disagree.

It is costly to keep a person in jail. They have to be fed, clothed and given medical care. What is wrong with requiring them to work to contribute towards this cost?

The objectors argue that it is "forced labor" and is against human rights. If this argument is accepted, then surely it is also against human rights to put a person in jail and deprive him of his freedom of movement?

It would be exploitation of prisoner labor, if they are required to work and be deprived of wages that exceed the cost of keeping them in jail, or if the work is unsuitable or dangerous. I accept this point. 

Elderly prisoners or female prisoners should not be required to do physically demanding work.

But for able bodied prisoners, it should be all right to require them to work to pay for the cost of their stay in prison. It is not free.

Tan Kin Lian

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