The company has the intellectual property for the values. It is beneficial for the company to profit from its IP. The decision of whether the risk of the patients life in a epidemic versus the violation of the patents is greater will be decided in the courts if they sue.
The OP story doesn't tell the whole situation.
https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2018/apr/2/tablets-and-e-messaging-services-expand-prisons-and-jails-do-fees/
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/florida/articles/2018-06-10/prisons-add-for-profit-services-consider-visitation-cuts
The...