In these days of people focusing on the history of slavery lets us not forget that TDCJ are still using slave labor in their facilities.
Inmates are subject to discipline if they refuse to work. People think that inmates get paid for their labor efforts but this is not the case. Inmates receive nothing other than their meals (3 a day) and a non air conditioned bunk (in a shared 5x8 cell) . Good time (not getting into any bother) and work time are not considered when it is time for parole and indeed is totally a waste of time.
Of course politicians will not support reform as it is more of a vote loser than a vote winner but reform must happen. It is quite simply abuse. Bear in mind that temperature reach over 100 degrees in the summer and people have died of heat exhaustion which gets covered up.
TDCJ needs reform.