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
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