Criminal Charges: How Municipalities Fund Jails [toon]

Criminal Charges: How Cities Fund Jails
Written by Ted Rall

Here’s a new spin on the phrase “criminal charges.” Here’s Ted Rall on one surprising way municipalities fund jails. Ted Rall cartoon.

aNewDomain — Many municipalities across the United States charge prison inmates for the cost of their own imprisonment, often at rates similar to those charged by hotels. When they get out, most cannot pay because they’re indigent, so they’re rearrested, and rejailed for nonpayment, and charged even more. Now you know where they get the phrase “criminal charges.”

ted rall cartoon jail charges
Criminal Charges: How Municipalities Fund Jails cartoon: Ted Rall

For aNewDomain, I’m Ted Rall.

Cover image of city officials and jail administrators at the Richmond Justice Center: StyleWeekly, All Rights Reserved.