What’s at Stake Jurisdictions across the country force incarcerated people to pay for the supposed costs of their own incarceration under “pay to stay” laws. Michigan takes pension payments, intended to support those who can no longer secure any other income, to fund its prison system. This practice is wrong. Governments already cover the costs…
What’s at Stake Whether people who are incarcerated can bring lawsuits without fear of retaliation. If sheriffs are allowed to charge pay-to-stay fees as retaliation for filing a lawsuit, sheriffs may be able to persuade others from bringing those claims. Summary When Michael Wappler brought a lawsuit challenging the conditions at the Brevard County jail,…
All over the country, there are statutes authorizing local governments to impose fees on individuals for the supposed costs of their incarceration. Generally, these fees are referred to as ‘pay-to-stay’ because they require individuals to pay for time spent detained against their will. These laws essentially allow the government to charge a rate as if…