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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2529281/Comeback-debtors-prisons-U-S-courts-revive-Dickensian-practice-jailing-people-failing-pay-legal-fees.html
United States abolished debtors' prisons in the 1830s, but more than a third of states allow to jail debtors
Human rights advocates claim the system disproportionally victimizes poor people
In a 2012 report, the Brennan Center laid out how much it costs to jail debtors, showing that rather than boosting revenues for a county, the scheme actually ends up costing the municipality more.
For example, a county in North Carolina collected $33,476 in debts in 2009, but spent $40,000 keeping 246 debtors in the clink.
The U.S. Supreme Court has addressed this issue on three separate occasions in the 70s and 80s, ruling that courts are not allowed to jail someone for unpaid debts if the person is indigent.
Critics say that the punishment can be highly counterproductive because it is generally more difficult to hold onto or find a job after serving time in jail.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2529281/Comeback-debtors-prisons-U-S-courts-revive-Dickensian-practice-jailing-people-failing-pay-legal-fees.html#ixzz2oglKmDz9
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United States abolished debtors' prisons in the 1830s, but more than a third of states allow to jail debtors
Human rights advocates claim the system disproportionally victimizes poor people
In a 2012 report, the Brennan Center laid out how much it costs to jail debtors, showing that rather than boosting revenues for a county, the scheme actually ends up costing the municipality more.
For example, a county in North Carolina collected $33,476 in debts in 2009, but spent $40,000 keeping 246 debtors in the clink.
The U.S. Supreme Court has addressed this issue on three separate occasions in the 70s and 80s, ruling that courts are not allowed to jail someone for unpaid debts if the person is indigent.
Critics say that the punishment can be highly counterproductive because it is generally more difficult to hold onto or find a job after serving time in jail.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2529281/Comeback-debtors-prisons-U-S-courts-revive-Dickensian-practice-jailing-people-failing-pay-legal-fees.html#ixzz2oglKmDz9
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook