I’m split on my decision. Having inmates pay for their upkeep and stay sounds like a “no brainier” but after researching the topic I have a little different outlook. Most of the cost of housing prisoners falls on taxpayers at this point. I feel that I work hard for my money and I shouldn’t have to pay for someone who chose a life a crime instead of a career. However, after reading a few articles on the subject it seems that charging inmates may actually be worse than the current system. Advocates contend that charging individuals fines in jail imposes an unnecessary burden on inmates, dis proportionally affecting indigent populations along with racial and ethnic minorities, all of whom are disproportionately represented among the prisoner population (Brook, 2014). If you make an individual who was already in poverty pay to stay in prison then the chances of that person paying off their debt is little to none. Even their families will suffer due to them trying to obtain enough money to get this person out of jail and out of debt. It will cause longer prison terms and repeat offenders. Additionally, the effect of one individual inmate’s decision not to seek medical treatment because he or she cannot afford the co payment contains far-reaching consequences beyond that one inmate (Brooke, 2014). Health care is already horrible in the U.S. and if a prisoner can’t go to the doctor, they may end up spreading deadly diseases all through the prison. I believe that prisoners should have to pay in some way. I don’t think they should be charged for health care or basic toiletries but they should be charged for any luxury items. I also think that there should be more work release programs so these prisoners can give back to the community and help repay their debts through community service.
