Friday, April 17, 2009
THREE VIEWS ON IMPOSING "USER FEES" ON JAIL INMATES
There is a growing trend throughout the United States for Cities to increasingly rely on the use of "user fees" to fill budget gaps. More and more often, those user fees are being imposed upon inmates. But, while one of the authors of the two articles at this link argues that inmate "user fees" are appropriate because they are a fiscal fix and the other argues against their imposition on the basis that the costs of collection exceed the revenues generated, we take a third view. We do agree with Pat Nolan that "fees should not be deducted from money sent by inmates' families" and that it "is wrong to do so." But, we would add that taking any money--or "volunteer services"--from inmates who are incarcerated because they did not meet their financial obligations to their families is immoral. This money rightfully belongs to the children and should not be utilized to pay overtime at the jail or for meals for visiting dignitaries or parties or character training or anything else that does not directly benefit the children of the inmates.
There is a growing trend throughout the United States for Cities to increasingly rely on the use of "user fees" to fill budget gaps. More and more often, those user fees are being imposed upon inmates. But, while one of the authors of the two articles at this link argues that inmate "user fees" are appropriate because they are a fiscal fix and the other argues against their imposition on the basis that the costs of collection exceed the revenues generated, we take a third view. We do agree with Pat Nolan that "fees should not be deducted from money sent by inmates' families" and that it "is wrong to do so." But, we would add that taking any money--or "volunteer services"--from inmates who are incarcerated because they did not meet their financial obligations to their families is immoral. This money rightfully belongs to the children and should not be utilized to pay overtime at the jail or for meals for visiting dignitaries or parties or character training or anything else that does not directly benefit the children of the inmates.
Labels: User Fees/Hidden Taxes
