Jailed for $280: The Return of Debtors' Prisons

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   Stacie Lposted 12 years ago

   Jailed for $280: The Return of Debtors' Prisons
   By Alain Sherter | CBS MoneyWatch
   
   Although the U.S. abolished debtors' prisons in the 1830s, more than a third of U.S. states allow the police to haul people in who don't pay all manner of debts, from bills for health care services to credit card and auto loans. In parts of Illinois, debt collectors commonly use publicly funded courts, sheriff's deputies, and country jails to pressure people who owe even small amounts to pay Although the http://finance.yahoo.com/news/jailed-fo … isons.html one woman in the article was jailed after she couldn't pay a $280. medical bill for breast cancer treatment...now that's humane!

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   Reality Bytesposted 12 years ago

   It's very easy to pick up another bid while incarcerated. 
   
   The corporations must need more slaves for their labor camps?

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   tobey100posted 12 years ago

   I do believe she was probably arrested for not responding to a court summons, etc.  Not the debt itself.

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      Reality Bytesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      When the person does show up to Court and makes an agreement, the council for the creditor appeals the agreement once the defendant leaves the court.  This is done until a default occurs.

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         tobey100posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Didn't know that.

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   Randy Godwinposted 12 years ago

   Prisons are big business nowadays.  Especially in Texas and other predominantly conservative states.  Since being privatized, the number of inmates affects the amount of money the state pays the institution for housing and feeding them.
   
   I believe Barbara Bush was reported to have bought interest into a huge prison facility in Texas not long ago.
   
   Thar's gold in them thar convictions!    Nothing new in the world of heartless business enterprises. 
   
                                        

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      Reality Bytesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      These private prisons are using solitary confinement as a form of torture.  Work or stay enclosed for 23 hours everyday.

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         Repairguy47posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Oh my God, you mean they are punishing criminals?

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            Reality Bytesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            No, they are punishing law abiding citizens by bringing jobs in to the prison system and rewarding criminals with food, shelter, healthcare, and employment.
            
            Plenty of unemployed individuals are suffering so megacorps can reap in huge profits.
            
            We are becoming a society of prisons.  Why does the United States incarcerate the highest percentage of its population on the globe?
            
            http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_p … per-capita

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               Repairguy47posted 12 years agoin reply to this

               So giving a law abiding citizen a job is now punishment? Would you explain that please.

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                  Reality Bytesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Bringing in thousands of jobs in to our prison system instead of hiring law abiding citizens outside of the labor camps hurts society as a whole.

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                     Repairguy47posted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     I see, wonder how much those prisoners are being paid?

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                        Reality Bytesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        Prisoners earning 23 cents an hour in U.S. federal prisons are manufacturing high-tech electronic components for Patriot Advanced Capability 3 missiles, launchers for TOW (Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided) anti-tank missiles, and other guided missile systems. A March article by journalist and financial researcher Justin Rohrlich of World in Review is worth a closer look at the full implications of this ominous development. (minyanville.com)
                        
                        The expanding use of prison industries, which pay slave wages, as a way to increase profits for giant military corporations, is a frontal attack on the rights of all workers.
                        
                        Prison labor — with no union protection, overtime pay, vacation days, pensions, benefits, health and safety protection, or Social Security withholding — also makes complex components for McDonnell Douglas/Boeing’s F-15 fighter aircraft, the General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16, and Bell/Textron’s Cobra helicopter. Prison labor produces night-vision goggles, body armor, camouflage uniforms, radio and communication devices, and lighting systems and components for 30-mm to 300-mm battleship anti-aircraft guns, along with land mine sweepers and electro-optical equipment for the BAE Systems Bradley Fighting Vehicle’s laser rangefinder. Prisoners recycle toxic electronic equipment and overhaul military vehicles.
                        
                        Labor in federal prisons is contracted out by UNICOR, previously known as Federal Prison Industries, a quasi-public, for-profit corporation run by the Bureau of Prisons. In 14 prison factories, more than 3,000 prisoners manufacture electronic equipment for land, sea and airborne communication. UNICOR is now the U.S. government’s 39th largest contractor, with 110 factories at 79 federal penitentiaries.
                        
                        http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php? … ;aid=25376

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                           Stacie Lposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           Well that certainly is something I've never read about ,until now. Thanks

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                           Eric Newlandposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           The fair thing to do would be to have those companies pay for the cost of the incarceration itself. They are receiving benefits, technically. Their "employer" should pay for them.

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                              Reality Bytesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                              That might be the fair way of doing it.  The moral way would be for the companies to operate in civilized society with law abiding citizens.  The private prison system in the United States is eerily similar to the Chinese model of employment.  In China many workers are housed within the factory that employs them.  They reside in very small cubicles with shopping and food all provided for them.

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                                 Eric Newlandposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                 That's the beauty of it. Given how much imprisonment costs their incentive for using prison workers would be greatly reduced. They might as well hire a real worker.

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                                 lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                 And forced abortion should the women become pregnant. Tom Delay was instrumental in getting one of these factories going on Marianis Island. Mr Pro-Life. His bud Mike Pence says Delay is his mentor....and he is always spouting all this anti-aborton stuff...while being ok with giving tax dollars to a factory owner who forces abortion on his serfs.

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                     Eric Newlandposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     Again, how does privatizing prisons lead to more prisoners? Even if they have a profit motive to get more prisoners they have no control over who gets convicted.

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                        Reality Bytesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        Lobbying for stricter sentences on minor crimes.  With a high profit margin, there is plenty of money to persuade politicians.  Especially when said politicians hold a large bundle of stocks in the labor camps.

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      Repairguy47posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      How do you feel that of 5 States where debt can get you put in jail Georgia (not Texas) is one of them?
      
      But to be fair, these arrests are not for outstanding debt but for not paying court costs or fines.
      
      Some backwards States just can't get out of the 18th century.

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         Randy Godwinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I'm embarrassed for both Texas and my state of Georgia, along with Florida and many others. 
         
                                      

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      Eric Newlandposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      So, what, do representatives from these private prisons sit on juries in disproportionately high numbers or something?

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   lovemychrisposted 12 years ago

   In think the fair thing to do is not to tie a profit motive to locking people up.
   
   You know they are traded on the stock exchange? It's sickening what money does to people.

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      Reality Bytesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Every "person" is a publicly traded commodity.  Look at the red letters and numbers on your social security card.  Call a broker and ask what the bond with corresponding characters as your ss card traded at.

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         lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Figures.

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   prettydarkhorseposted 12 years ago

   poverty status criminalized if it is true

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      Repairguy47posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Its not.

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         lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         If they're throwing you in prison for not having money...it is.

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   Jeramiposted 12 years ago

   I read that this morning and I thought there were only five states doing this, Texas not being one of them,
   
     The collection companies lobbied for legislation forcing the judicial system to enforce contempt of court laws,
   
     This lady was put in Jail for not apearing in court to answer the lawsuit brought by the collection agency.
   
     In Texas the credit card companies can sue you for nonpayment but if you apear in court they usually loose, but if you do not show up they win by default.  If you happen to be in this situation check for yourself to see if this applies in your state and county courts.
   
      It is our legal right to sue anyone for anything whether the facts of the case are true or not.
     If the other party does not show up you win this court hearing by default.
   
     that is the way I understand it anyway.

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