Thousands of prison inmates in several states have been protesting since Sept. 9 against what they claim are barbaric prison conditions, including the obligation to do low paid jobs.

Hack activists have raised the specter of slavery because a lot of prisoners are black. One’s heart does not bleed for their cause. Prisoners capable of work should be required to do so. Prison is a punishment, and is supposed to be sufficiently unpleasant that it deters future law breaking.