This side of the prison had more "heated" areas than the ones he saw on the other side, an advent of the "important people" being there contrary to random or "unimportant" denizens near the entrance.
It is unfair, but by their mindset, the weak wouldn't ever be alive if was not for them, so they should obey and accept scraps. In the apocalypse or modern life, this fact hasn't changed. The many work for the powerful few to rise even higher, and the powerful few pay the many so they may put food on their table and pay bills.
The intrinsic cycle of survival hadn't changed a bit. If not for the strong, the ones near the entrance would be dead already. 'You can't be charitable in times like this.' The mere fact they are not being used as slaves, as far as he can see, or cannon fodder is good enough.
