I find it more shocking that, despite the terrible reported conditions at the plant, most people stayed there because it was preferable to prison. If that is preferable to their prisons...
I'd rather go to prison. Take the gamble, at least prison has time off for good behavior and over crowding. This program looks like its designed to drain you of everything for as long as possible.
Pretty sure refusing to work when given the option is itself not considered "good behavior." It's one of the ways they coerce inmates into working those $0.12/h jobs.
You can get a shot for refusing to work. This can impact good time and will impact your points. Higher points mean you get sent to a higher security (which ironically means less secure/safe for the inmate) facility.