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Doing time on their own dime: More states charge inmates for stays in jail, prison

By Real Cost of Prisons Project (The Sentencing Project)

Doing time on their own dime: More states charge inmates for stays in jail, prison Institute of South Studies As the economic downturn worsens and states grapple with large budget deficits, many inmates may find themselves paying for their crimes beyond just doing standard jail time. Due to massive state budget cuts, across the country state prison facilities are beginning to charge inmates in order to garner the funds to maintain detention services. This week The Christian Science Monitor reported that a growing number of jails and sheriffs departments are also charging inmates and raising costs for a number of items -- from snacks to room and board -- a move authorities say is necessary to counter rising costs and budget cutbacks. Charging inmates for their own incarceration - also known as "pay-to-stay" fees - is a trend that began about 20 years ago in Alabama, and soared in popularity around the country under the "tough-on-crime" policies of the Reagan and Clinton eras...continue to full post

Full post as published by The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog on May 17, 2010 (boomark / email).