Grab Your Calculators. We’re Going to Jail. - The New York Times

Mike’s been locked up for several years because he broke the law. “I would say that I have about approximately $9,000 in debt.” “I have about $30,000 in debt.” “Yeah, $23,000.” “Thirty grand or so.” We know what you’re thinking: Criminals should pay fines for their crimes. I feel like they’ve set me up for failure.” “I have been trying to get this paid off since 2014.” “The first thing that I have to focus on when I go back into society is how I’m going to pay my debts and my fines.” “A lot of people say that’s how the system gets you. So it’s almost like a double jeopardy.” Many people can end up getting dragged back to prison for failure to pay their criminal justice debt. “It tempts you or it leads you into making poor choices just to make more money and try to get extra income or funds, and you do something illegal.” “I really had to turn to what I knew best, and that was something illegally.” “Yes, I’ve committed crimes to pay off debt.” The justice system cannot sustain itself on the backs of poor families while also striving to rehabilitate people who have committed crimes.