Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Lady Freedom Returns

(14,120 posts)
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 10:59 AM Apr 2013

Debtors' Prisons open for business in the U.S.A.

Let's start with the privatization of the prison system. Many a story has been written on the subject.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/22/opinion/krugman-prisons-privatization-patronage.html?_r=0
http://www.correctionsproject.com/corrections/pris_priv.htm
Even United Church of Christ has done an article, http://www.ucc.org/justice/criminal-justice/prison-industrial-complex-1.html

Now, as we all know, a businesses job is to do a much business as possible. That means they need more "product". So how can a business that need more criminals get this product? Enter the Debtors' Prison!


On October 4, 2010, the ACLU released a report titled "In For a Penny: The Rise of America's New Debtors' Prisons" http://www.aclu.org/prisoners-rights-racial-justice/penny-rise-americas-new-debtors-prisons .And Some scoffed at it.


Incarcerating people simply because they cannot afford to pay their legal debts not only is unconstitutional but it has a devastating impact upon men and women, whose only crime is that they are poor. The sad truth is that debtors' prisons are flourishing today, more than two decades after the Supreme Court prohibited imprisoning those who are too poor to pay their legal debts.



Now, April 4, 2013, CBS Moneywatch has released a report titled "As economy flails, debtors' prisons thrive" http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505143_162-57577994/as-economy-flails-debtors-prisons-thrive/


Thousands of Americans are sent to jail not for committing a crime, but because they can't afford to pay for traffic tickets, medical bills and court fees.

If that sounds like a debtors' prison, a legal relic which was abolished in this country in the 1830s, that's because it is. And courts and judges in states across the land are violating the Constitution by incarcerating people for being unable to pay such debts


So what does this mean for so many that have found themselves in debt? It means that people who have been on the right side of the law is now criminals. They will have a record.

Don't think this is right? Please contact your local, state, and Federal Reps and let them know!
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Debtors' Prisons open for business in the U.S.A. (Original Post) Lady Freedom Returns Apr 2013 OP
I spent 5 nights in jail in Virginia for not paying a speeding ticket on-time, way back in 1997 arcane1 Apr 2013 #1
wait till they switch to high gear warrprayer Apr 2013 #2
Especially Student Debt n2doc Apr 2013 #3
i went to tech school in the 90s warrprayer Apr 2013 #4
The CBS Story does talk about medical bills. n/t Lady Freedom Returns Apr 2013 #5
 

arcane1

(38,613 posts)
1. I spent 5 nights in jail in Virginia for not paying a speeding ticket on-time, way back in 1997
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 11:01 AM
Apr 2013

I'm sure the cost of storing me there far exceeded the cost of the ticket. Then again, on day 4 our lunch consisted of a plate of potato chips and a cup of water, so perhaps they saved a little money there

warrprayer

(4,734 posts)
2. wait till they switch to high gear
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 04:10 PM
Apr 2013

... and start imprisoning people for ordinary debt. I see it coming. Welcome to Gulag U.S.A..

warrprayer

(4,734 posts)
4. i went to tech school in the 90s
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 05:12 PM
Apr 2013

and I am 56 now - still owe 6 grand. they will be taking it out of my S.S.. Fcking bank crooks

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Occupy Underground»Debtors' Prisons open for...