Imagine this: You're released from prison in Florida, determined to turn your life around. You aim to stay on the right path, secure employment, and comply with parole terms. Then, you learn you're facing a hefty bill.
In Florida, as in many states, inmates foot the bill for their prison stay. Known as "pay-to-stay," this practice often saddles former convicts with overwhelming debt.
In Florida, prisoners are levied $50 per day for their original sentence, irrespective of early release. Unpaid bills can impede former inmates' efforts to move past their prison stint.
Shelby Hoffman, interviewed by WFTS Tampa Bay, recounted her ordeal. Despite serving just 10 months of a 7-year term, she was hit with a $127,000 bill. Post-release, Hoffman has turned her life around, pursuing a bachelor's degree. Yet, her dream career as a case manager remains out of reach due to the outstanding pay-to-stay debt.
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"Seven and a half years post-release," Hoffman said, "I've made significant strides. However, an insurmountable debt holds me back. I'm left with a family, a daughter, a supportive husband, a home, and numerous achievements—all overshadowed by this unpayable bill."
Pay-to-stay fines haunt individuals like Hoffman, hindering their post-prison progress. This practice not only seems punitive but serves little purpose beyond extending punishment.
"Requiring individuals ensnared in the criminal justice system to financially support government agencies is inefficient," wrote Lauren-Brooke Eisen in Human Rights, the American Bar Association's publication. "As many cannot afford their debt, billions in fines and fees remain unpaid annually."
"We view it as unconstitutional," said Lisa Foster, Co-Executive Director of the Fines & Fees Justice Center. "It's disproportionate to the offense and the individual's financial situation."
Despite criticism, pay-to-stay laws endure in most states, ensnaring former offenders like Hoffman, regardless of their efforts to rebuild.
"My perspective shifted," said Hoffman's grandmother to WFTS Tampa Bay. "Having experienced this, I see the lack of compassion for those who err and pay the price. And she did."
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