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Judi Lynn

(164,142 posts) Mon Dec 12, 2011, 12:36 AM Dec 2011

In California, a Plan to Charge Inmates for Their Stay [View all]

In California, a Plan to Charge Inmates for Their Stay
By JENNIFER MEDINA
Published: December 11, 2011

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — A one-night stay in this city’s finest hotel costs $190, complete with sumptuous sheets and a gourmet restaurant. Soon, a twin metal bunk at the county jail, with meals served on plastic trays, will run $142.42.

With already crowded jails filling quickly and an $80 million shortfall in the budget, Riverside County officials are increasingly desperate to find every source of revenue they can. So last month, the County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a plan to charge inmates for their stay, reimbursing the county for food, clothing and health care.

Prisoners with no assets will not have to pay, but the county has the ability to garnish wages and place liens on homes under the ordinance, which goes into effect this week.

As the county supervisor who pressed for the ordinance, Jeff Stone, likes to put it: “You do the crime, you will serve the time, and now you will also pay the dime.”

More:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/12/us/in-riverside-california-a-plan-to-charge-inmates.html?ref=us

28 replies

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In California, a Plan to Charge Inmates for Their Stay [View all] Judi Lynn Dec 2011 OP

So when prisons become a profit center for local government Speck Tater Dec 2011 #1

we're not headed there... we ARE there. ixion Dec 2011 #11

Well...they should pay for their medical services.. FarPoint Dec 2011 #13

I have mixed feelings about this nadine_mn Dec 2011 #2

It happened in Pennsylvania. tomg Dec 2011 #4

It was Luzerne County. The judges took money from no_hypocrisy Dec 2011 #12

Thanks for the info. I thought tomg Dec 2011 #19

This is completely insane on so many levels. tomg Dec 2011 #3

You aren't. That's exactly what this is. "We're broke so we can't afford your civil rights" AllyCat Dec 2011 #17

I cannot believe this baloney will pass constitutional muster if and when coalition_unwilling Dec 2011 #5

This is already happening in Washington the state. When you get parolled you usually own thousands a rhett o rick Dec 2011 #6

When we get to the point Newest Reality Dec 2011 #7

This won't really work... ellisonz Dec 2011 #8

No, but it will hurt a lot of people before they figure that out starroute Dec 2011 #9

The only way I see it working is if... ellisonz Dec 2011 #10

This is one of the dumbest things I've ever read. Placing liens on their homes, really?! Luciferous Dec 2011 #14

This is extra incentive for privately run prisons Auggie Dec 2011 #15

So knowing it will cost money to go to jail will prevent crime? AllyCat Dec 2011 #16

What has happened to the accused's right to trial and appropriate sentencing? Peace Patriot Dec 2011 #18

Manifestly violates the 'due process' and 'takings' clauses of the coalition_unwilling Dec 2011 #22

That's some bullshit! backtoblue Dec 2011 #20

Fuckers! n/t Hotler Dec 2011 #21

Reminds me of Deukmejian's Three Strikes and You're Out.... Trillo Dec 2011 #23

run 'em into the poor house. barbtries Dec 2011 #24

Pay up or get the f@$# out! 24601 Dec 2011 #25

And if you fail to pay your 'debt'? ---> Debtor's Prison for you! Shoe Horn Dec 2011 #26

Call it "Motel 6 to 12" KamaAina Dec 2011 #27

How many people turn to crime due to poverty? CaliforniaHiker Dec 2011 #28