In the prison systems that impose disciplinary fines and fees, it would take anywhere from a full day of work to multiple years to pay off a single fine.
At least one third of prison systems in the United States charge fines as punishment for a rule violation. The issuance of fines and fees for rules violations do not create safe environments in correctional facilities. In fact, the mental and physical health effects that result from deprivation create a more volatile environment, while also depleting resources of loved ones who are often the primary source of financial support. The Prison Policy Initiative analyzed policies for all 50 states and the federal prison system to explain why disciplinary fines and fees are bad policy. The authors urge that by focusing on punitive measures that deprive people further, disciplinary fines and fees are little more than a means to exploit incarcerated people, and miss the mark on what actually makes prisons safer.
Read the full report here.
Key Findings:
- At least 16 prison systems charge incarcerated people disciplinary fines or fees. In many cases the rule violation determines the amount of the fine, but there are cases where there is a flat charge for any violation.
- Most disciplinary fines and fees range from $5 to $25, but in Alabama, Arizona, Maine, Oregon, Utah, and the federal prison system, people can face fines as high as hundreds or thousands of dollars for a single charge.
- Five prison systems charge administrative or processing fees for disciplinary violations.
- Nearly all prison systems have a policy about facility-owed restitution for the reimbursement of cost for damaged property or medical expenses resulting from a rule violation.