|
|
| Inmate refunds on block |
| By RockyMountainNews.com |
| Published: 09/29/2003 |
|
Colorado prisoners who get state tax surplus refunds in the future might find that money going to their children instead of to their personal prison accounts. Members of the legislative audit committee gave unanimous approval Monday to drafting a bill that would let the state tap into those refunds. The state already can do that for criminal restitution, but not for court-ordered child support for the families that inmates left behind. Committee members voted to draft a bill for introduction in the 2004 legislative session, even though the surplus - which has dried up the past two years in the tough economy - isn't expected again until 2005-06, by some predictions. Under the 1992 voter-approved Taxpayers' Bill of Rights, the state must return to taxpayers any money that surpasses state spending limits. Committee members took no formal action on another, more controversial measure that would allow the state to take a bigger chunk out of the small, 60-cent-a-day top wages that inmates now can earn. The suggestion to increase the amount docked from an inmate's daily pay from the current 20 percent to 40 percent for child support and restitution first surfaced in June during an audit on canteen expenses. That audit showed that Colorado inmates spent three times more on candy and other personal items from the prison canteen than they spent on court-ordered restitution and child support. Outraged committee members discussed doubling the current percentage, although prison officials cautioned that could create more problems for them. Prison spokesmen warned inmate work pay was being cut from a top salary of $2 a day to 60 cents a day on July 1 because of budget cutbacks and expressed concern what further cutbacks might do. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think