[Canadian Army]

I think Prison work gangs would be organized using the "trusty system".

The "trusty system" is a strict system of discipline and security used as a method of controlling and working inmates in prison. Under this system, designated inmates are used by staff to control and administer physical punishment to other inmates according to a strict prison-determined inmate hierarchy of power.

Highest in the prison inmate hierarchy were the inmates armed with rifles, called the "trusty shooters". Their job was to act as prison guards and control other inmates on a day-to-day basis in the residential camps or out on the field work crews. Next was the unarmed "trusties" who performed janitorial, clerical and other menial tasks. Simple tasks are carried out by other categories of inmates such as "hallboys".