>Somehow I thought it was because of boredom and just something to do,
That's definitely part of it too. I hear (and I would guess everyone can imagine) that prison is excruciatingly boring. So having something to do can help a lot, also working a job can be part vocational training for when one get's out of prison.
Another factor is that when you're in prison, the littlest things become of utmost importance. Life or death (literally) battles are fought over Twinkies and Doritos...so if you have a chance
to earn a little money to get yourself some cigarettes or cup o' noodles it's very tempting to take it.
That's definitely part of it too. I hear (and I would guess everyone can imagine) that prison is excruciatingly boring. So having something to do can help a lot, also working a job can be part vocational training for when one get's out of prison.
Another factor is that when you're in prison, the littlest things become of utmost importance. Life or death (literally) battles are fought over Twinkies and Doritos...so if you have a chance to earn a little money to get yourself some cigarettes or cup o' noodles it's very tempting to take it.
That's the "carrot" that accompanies the "stick".