ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes a unique feature of prisons, which is the granting of inmates a sum of goods and services free of charge or any expectation or obligation on the part of the inmates to provide any value equivalent. This provision of goods and services to inmates is understood as a payment of state welfare, since it flows to them regardless of whether or not they perform labor.1 This welfare is given in two forms:
1. the direct provision of commodities to inmates, and 2. the provision of goods and services (use-values) which are produced by other inmates enslaved in prison household production.
