Riverside County supervisors unanimously vote to enslave prison population

[Stigmata]

Or close enough, at least.

Should inmates have to pay the county back for taxpayer money spent on their jail time? This week, Riverside County supervisors unanimously voted yes.

As the Los Angeles Times reports, Supervisor Jeff Stone called jails "prison hotels," costing an average of $142.42 a day.

According to the Press-Enterprise, he said "I think we're blazing a new trail here. In these very challenging economic times, I believe this can be a source of revenue. I believe this can return 3 to 5 million (dollars) a year during these very challenging economic times."

Supervisor Stone told the Huffington Post, "Inmates will be charged $140 for each day in jail and for drug testing, medical care and parol costs." He explained that a defendent who uses a public defender will also be charged for the attorney fees if he is found to have equity, such as a property. "If the parolee does not have liquid funds to pay, the County will put a lien against the property to receive payment when the property is sold. The County will do the same on the parolee's parents' property if that's the only way to get the money."

County Counsel Pamela Walls, however, wrote in a memo to the supervisors that it will be hard to collect reimbursements because "those defendants who are convicted of crimes and incarcerated typically have limited funds." Furthermore, she argues that because defendants will have to pay victim restitution, fines and penalties first, few will have money left to cover jail time costs.

And yet, Riverside County Superior Court Executive Officer Sherri Carter said the county has already successfully increased collections in 2009-2010 by $1 million. In a letter to the supervisors, Carter wrote, "I am confident this trend will continue, and look forward to future positive reports to the county."

Supervisor Stone told HuffPost LA that he expects the charges to go into effect December 1. He added, "Of course, if a defendant is found innocent, he will not be charged for the time he served."

The definition of slavery.

Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation. Conditions that can be considered slavery include debt bondage, indentured servitude, serfdom, domestic servants kept in captivity, adoption in which children are effectively forced to work as slaves, child soldiers, and forced marriage.

 

[Higlac]

I honestly don't see a problem with it. It's not like they could leave if they weren't doing work. They received a fair trial and are now incarcerated. They weren't captured, and they're still getting medical treatment and lodging.

 

[Bad^Hat]

$140 a day... to stay in prison?

I. I don't even. What. Me brain, ees broke.

The County will do the same on the parolee's parents' property if that's the only way to get the money.

I cannot sufficiently put into words how hopeless and disgusted this makes me feel.

 

[15357]

Huh. Yeah, I can see how liquidating the property of criminals is somehow a bad thing. Their parents', however I disagree with.


What happened to good old chain gangs? I'd bet they could do a $150 worth of work a day, if you found the right work for them. And they also get job training for the future when they are released back into society.

 

[dfc05]

It's ridiculous (from a simple practical standpoint) to ask for payment from someone who is earning no income. That also screws them for when they get out of prison, which will only encourage more crime.

I would however approve of optional work and/or skills development in prison. I know you can't force "cruel and unusual" punishment, but I think if I were in prison, I'd like to be able to learn a skill and produce something. Seems like it'd be boring otherwise. This would help pay for your food and keep and also maybe be of benefit for when you get out. I know some prisons already do some of this, but I've never bothered to look up the statistics.

[edit] Just read numbers' post. Can't do the chain gang thing (cruel and unusual) but they can make license plates.

[edit again] Quick calculation -- $150/day is $4500/month or >$50,000/year. Yeah, good luck getting that much back from anyone.

 

[Maestro]

This just further proves that my assessment of California as the most corrupt and least competent state in the union is correct.

 

[DEATHMASTER]

Union?

 

[Stylo]

Riverside Motherf*cker.

Also, bring back chain gangs.