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TIL 40 states in the US charge you $20-$80 a day for being incarcerated in prison. (en.m.wikipedia.org)

submitted 4 months ago by alphanerd4@lemmy.world to c/politics@lemmy.world

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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/19544496

cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/18677335

TIL 40 states in the US charge you $20-$80 a day for being incarcerated in prison.

Very weird that I am so old and have literally never heard this mentioned in a TV show or book or movie or anything.

In four out of five states, if you go to prison, you are literally paying for the time you spend there.

As you can guess, this results in crippling debt as soon as you're released.

The county gets back a fraction of what they hold over your head the rest of your life until you commit suicide(or die naturally and peacefully with the sword of damocles hanging over your head).

$20-$80 a day according to Rutgers.

Counties apparently sue people and employ wage garnishment to get back the money that majority of people obviously cannot pay back.

https://www.rutgers.edu/news/states-unfairly-burdening-incarcerated-people-pay-stay-fees

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[-] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 44 points 4 months ago

So once you’ve paid your debt to society you have a new debt to the state. Ridiculous.

[-] dudinax@programming.dev 13 points 4 months ago

Don't worry, if you can't pay the debt they just fine you.

[-] RandallFlagg@lemm.ee 10 points 4 months ago

And if you can't pay the fine, they'll just put out a warrant for your arrest.

[-] pivot_root@lemmy.world 4 points 4 months ago

Ah, the circle of ~~recidivism~~ life.

[-] DancingBear@midwest.social 42 points 4 months ago

If we had actual prisoner reform they would pay you 20-80 a day and let you have the money to restart your life when you get out.

We don’t have a criminal justice system, we have a slavery system

[-] jeffw@lemmy.world 23 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Room and board charges aren’t as popular as this most makes them sound. But the fees are absurd in general: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/americas-dystopian-incarceration-system-pay-stay-behind-bars

I think room and board charges are most common in county jails and smaller facilities, not large-scale prisons where people are sentenced for longer periods. Some places authorize room and board for prisons but it is more often just hidden fees and charges (excessive phone fees, etc).

It’s also notable that some states (unsure how many) limit charges based on ability to pay. So the state may authorize an $80/day prison or jail fee but only collect from those who had savings before being imprisoned or who work and are paid during their time behind bars.

Again, I’m not defending this practice, just commenting on the title making it sound more widespread than it is.

If anyone wants a more in-depth analysis, see here

[-] NounsAndWords@lemmy.world 18 points 4 months ago

$80/day x 365 = $29,200.

$14/hour x 2080 hours (40 hours x 52 weeks) = $29,120

Hopefully you can get a good paying job right out of prison, since you're only going into more debt if you don't...

[-] mysteriousquote@lemmy.world 20 points 4 months ago

$14/hour? Not likely, 20 states are still at the federal minimum of $7.25/hour, and only like 7 are at $14 or higher.

Lump that together with the massive stigma about hiring people who spent time in prison, the shit education and/or training most incarcerated people receive and they’ll be lucky to get two minimum wage jobs to barely squeak by.

The U.S. never abolished slavery, they just gave it a makeover and called it justice.

[-] Gormadt@lemmy.blahaj.zone 12 points 4 months ago

The U.S. never abolished slavery, they just gave it a makeover and called it justice.

God damn that line goes hard

It truly is fucked up how we treat prisoners in this country

[-] jjagaimo@lemmy.ca 5 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

It's not even some kind of conspiracy theory, it's literally an exception written in the amendment

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

[-] BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago

So just put every single penny you earn towards the debt? Easy peasy.

[-] raef@lemmy.world 10 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Some counties charge booking fees, which they charge when someone is arrested but not convicted of anything. They release people and they have some number of days to pay the fee and will get a warrant if that doesn't happen. Essentially generating charges for someone who may not have done anything wrong. That's real shady

Edit: counties, not countries

[-] A_A@lemmy.world 9 points 4 months ago

... and if you don't pay they throw you out ! /s

this post was submitted on 03 May 2024

157 points (97.0% liked)

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