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| Pay to Stay in Prison? |
| By Talia Naquin - AP |
| Published: 02/19/2009 |
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ATLANTA (AP) -- Prisoners who are housed, fed and given medical treatment by the taxpayers would have to help pay the bill if they have the means to do so, under a bill now being debated by Georgia lawmakers. The measure would allow state officials to collect a per diem of up to $40 a day from "financially capable" prisoners to help pay their room-and-board and other costs. It also empowers local officials to pursue inmates' assets to pay for medical costs. Supporters say the "Jail and Prison Reimbursement Act" would help state and local governments defray the growing costs of keeping inmates in jails and prison. Or, as the bill puts it, "to pay their fair portion of their costs of incarceration." "Rather than the taxpayer bearing the expense, that person should have to pay the expense," said state Rep. Roger Lane, a Darien Republican who sponsored the measure. "I think it's a good bill, and I'm kind of excited about it." Some local government groups and law enforcement organizations share his enthusiasm. But critics say the measure is impractical, and worry that relatives of the inmates may end up shouldering the financial burden. "I can attest that the people paying these fees will be their families," said Sarah Geraghty of the Southern Center for Human Rights. "This is going to have a very negative effect on those people." Read more. If link has expired, check the website of the article's original news source. |
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