As always there is a middle ground of which we have two extremes represented.
Me, I would go with the forced labour. Make these people pay for there own upkeep via the work they do. Unless someone is convicted they should not be placed in prison but should be free, remember its innocent untill proven guilty.
I agree with depriving prisoners of most recreation facilities including TV and gyms etc. They are not in prison for pleasure and such should be given no recreation activities. To pass time provide them with the option of books and learning opportunities which they must pay for from there earned pay.
I disagree with any and all beating and torture. If a prisoner gets violent go in and take them down in force but dont beat them as punishment instead deprive them of pay and if they are a threat to another prisoner they spend there time in solitary, if they can no longer afford to feed themselves they get put on bread and water if they still play up they dont even get that.
The only problem with this is you need the prisons monitored closely to stop the powers being abused and prisoners starved even if they dont do anything wrong.
In summary Prisons should be a place to be feared. Once inside someone who obeys the rules and works hard should be allowed to better themselves. But someone who still wants to cause trouble should be broken.
Then again this is 5 minutes thought on the matter so I'm sure its full of holes for people to pick at
