Even in the darkest depths of a prison, true character shines through and naturally rises to leadership. Although confined in a harsh environment under the watch of a cruel warden in charge of criminals, Joseph manages to find great favor and earn absolute trust [ביאור יש״ר]. As a result, the entire administration of the prison is placed in his hands. He dictates the daily lives of the inmates, setting their schedules for meals and time outside [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This role cements his high status and commands a deep respect from the prison population [העמק דבר]. The warden even grants Joseph the authority to handle the prisoners' cases before the king to advocate for their release. This level of trust stems from the warden's recognition of Joseph's absolute honesty and his refusal to accept bribes [אלשיך].
The primary approach among commentators is that descriptions of Joseph personally doing the prison work should not be understood literally. If he had performed the manual labor of the inmates himself, he would have effectively become their servant, which contradicts his elevated position [הכתב והקבלה, שפתי חכמים, גור אריה]. Instead, the meaning is that everything happening in the prison was executed entirely by his command, will, and organization. Because he was the ultimate authority directing the operations, the actions are attributed to him as if he had performed them with his own hands [רש״י, רד״ק, שד״ל, מלבי״ם]. In this capacity, Joseph managed the inmates' work systems and oversaw the trade of the goods they produced [העמק דבר]. His administrative role involved closely supervising the prisoners and urging them to complete their tasks on time [הכתב והקבלה].
On the other hand, a different perspective takes his involvement literally, suggesting that Joseph actually engaged in physical labor and crafts alongside the other inmates to earn a living [אבן עזרא, הטור הארוך]. This view reveals a profound layer of his personality. Often, when people rise to power, they use their authority to remain idle while forcing their subordinates to do the heavy lifting, which breeds resentment and hatred. Joseph, however, did not act with arrogance. Even as the supreme manager, he rolled up his sleeves and worked shoulder to shoulder with the inmates. This humility highlighted his excellent character traits and made him deeply loved by both God and humanity [אור החיים, פרדס יוסף].
Beyond his physical and administrative duties, Joseph's work carried a significant spiritual dimension. He used his influence and high standing to teach the inmates about the oneness of God. He guided them in confessing their wrongdoings and helped them recognize the reality of God's justice [שפתי כהן].