You're seeing the development process live with early access so inconsistencies happen as a result of the creative process which involves a lot of iteration. They are indeed not supposed to be treated as prisoners at that stage - though for all practical purposes they are. In subsequent updates you shouldn't find the word prisoner anymore.
As for the weapons - we are still debating that. We know it is an inconsistency but it breaks the tutorial flow if we get you to the equipment screen too fast.
Yes, I am aware that it's in beta and not final. But with only one more patch before the final release, the earlier I mention stuff, the better. (Mentioning other things like "
do not make Zombie the Undead Racial Talent" early is also a good idea.)
Right now you can get to the equipment screen immediately. I think a chest past the cutscene called "Confiscated Items" which contains all the starting equipment for your chosen class would be a pretty logical addition.
The trouble of course is the four-player co-op. I know instanced loot is not a thing in the game, and even if it is possible, adding it just for that one thing might be too much work. Possibly 4 chests, and the others are empty if there are no human players. I'm not sure the best way to prevent one person from looting all four of them for themselves, though.
