Pay to stay: Judge calls out Florida prison system collection methods as retaliation

I-Team investigation into the state's "pay to stay" law is getting the attention of lawyers and lawmakers after revealing the state can charge inmates $50 a day for the length of their prison sentence.

[@drag0nfury1008]

I thought tax payers pay that. So prisons get paid twice.....

[@donnam5060]

Many prisons are private equity owned. They do this stuff and the state don't ban it.

[@tommas2674]

I imagine they get our tax dollars in grants too.

[@oldmanghost219]

Don't they also put you to work? It's the new slave market.

[@user-hj4uf9wz1z]

Plus the state of Florida makes alo of money from the inmates labor the state sells meat and all that to major grocery chains

[@onceagain6184]

​@@tommas2674 Prisons don't get grants .

[@SteveninTune]

Florida is such a corrupt hole.😢

[@indyraven7433]

MVP for comment sad cause I luv southern states

[@vickilawrence7207]

Ppl should not be charged for being imprisoned!

[@kayty6673]

The most corrupt in the country. Of course, Florida tax payers have plenty of money to hire Israelis

[@WaVyCroc]

RED state what you expect?

[@donnam5060]

This is what happens when you privatize prisons.

[@bobquartlemigula2351]

Exactly, they have zero desire to see crime reduction and every reason to see even more people incarcerated!! They actually wrote the law in Arizona that covered immigration and pointed all immigrants who were to be held before their status hearings towards their facilities!! Is one of the most grotesque business models to ever be conceived!!! There should be no such business in the United States or anywhere on earth period.

[@davidward6041]

Exactly. The prison industrial complex already makes thousands of dollars off each inmate. Then they add THIS.

[@saracash7959]

Not just prison does this, the county jails here in Virginia do the same . They take what the inmate owe first when you put money on inmate books

[@justinheads5751]

All this law does is two things: 1) disincentivizes people from moving toward getting their lives back together, and 2) punishes only those who actually manage to do so

[@XYtrumpsXX]

Agree

[@lymarie1974]

Well said.

[@kayty6673]

That is the plan. The reason they love arresting people, is to stop them from voting, and that is what this is about. To stop possible nonRepubs from voting.

[@nuzjunkie1]

Exactly what the system is designed to do.

[@Brassard1985]

They really just don’t want people to have a 2nd chance. There’s no ladder to redemption with these people. They want to make them pay for the rest of their lives.

[@XYtrumpsXX]

Many people agree w you

[@spankyssurprise1361]

No just for the time the were incarcerated...you know when they were a 100% drag on society.

[@paulc-xj9ck]

It's a crucifixion.

[@dirtydigger3218]

That's rich people for ya,once you understand who really runs the entire world you might be able to wake up!

[@dontcare3430]

Private prison lobbiests helped to keep the law the same. Cha ching.

[@mikemartinez1557]

It's All corruption.

[@tettazwo9865]

To think that Rick 'Medicare' Scott walks free is appalling!

[@jasonfinch4165]

My son was charged forty thousand dollars for a two year sentence. It's like making sure they can never have anything and have to be punished for life.

[@jenf1387]

If he has yet to pay it off he should file for bankruptcy. Here's the relevant case law should it apply to him County of Dakota v. Milan

[@christopher6147]

Do they set up a payment plan after he’s released

[@privateprivate6661]

Charged him to stay there for 2 years? Such a fkn joke. Unbelievable what some institutions get away with. Unfortunately this stuff goes on. Sorry ur son and family had to go thru that. Its not right and it's not fair.

[@wstadlock]

What about juveniles? In 1975 I got in trouble while learning right from wrong, my parents had to pay for my incarceration. That was a big incentive to not do certain bad choices.

[@spankyssurprise1361]

Don't go to jail...real simple. Why should taxpayers foot the entire bill for criminals.

[@fjones1914]

For profit prisons are a big problem.

[@cryshjones]

If they follow the money they will better understand why!

[@xfhnhhgjbvcfg]

$50/day is not profitable lmao

[@tajeshkalia1293]

That's forced paid housing. You didn't choose to live over there. A form of human trafficking labor.

[@mr_imperfectiongamingchann1962]

No, this is modern day peonage. Debt Slavery.

[@spankyssurprise1361]

Yes you did choose that...by committing crimes.

[@AE-sy1pn]

​​@@spankyssurprise1361 these people aren't smart enough to comprehend that part

[@ygrittesnow1701]

Think the phrase you are thinking of is indentured servitude.

[@billybrown7953]

LOL 😂, when you're a criminal... you indeed choose to live there.

[@savannahcastillo7858]

Why have them pay when the tax payers pay the prisoners, guards, and wardens?

[@NopeUghUghAbsolutelyNot]

Double dipping

[@savannahcastillo7858]

@@NopeUghUghAbsolutelyNot and greed

[@NopeUghUghAbsolutelyNot]

@@savannahcastillo7858 Absolutely

[@daveb2280]

@savannahcastillo7858: They still didn't address WHERE this money is going. I doubt that it's for prison operations. And FDOC already has lawyers on retainers. My guess, it goes into the state's general fund. Which explains why it's never going to change.

[@savannahcastillo7858]

@@daveb2280 agree

[@nikitakucherov5028]

Dumb policy, drop it Florida, come on this is utterly ridiculous 🙄

[@maurreese]

Absolutely evil!!!

[@aryaastark9201]

Unconstitutional.

[@createinmeacleanheartohgod6871]

It is. It's run by private companies.

[@aryaastark9201]

@@createinmeacleanheartohgod6871 Read the 8th amendment. It is not constitutional.

[@kacornish1]

@@aryaastark9201 I just read the 8th Amendment and background info on a few websites. That BS in Florida could be unconstitutional and it should be challenged.

[@lextacy2008]

Its gonna get REAL ironic with all the MASS homeless being jailed for being homeless. Then they get charged a home mortgage for the super fun of it.

[@user-lh5re8jh7u]

Not department of correction, rather department of collections

[@alabamagirl2725]

No one should have to pay if put in prison. I worked at a prison and the food is actually not for human consumption.

[@MeoMiyo]

You're an idiot. Why should taxpayers pay their rent. All inmates should pay their stay. And you work in a prison? Lmao.

[@originaloldpop8405]

criminals don't seem to mind the food otherwise they would stop being criminals

[@NopeUghUghAbsolutelyNot]

​@@originaloldpop8405Everyone in jail isnt a criminal. We are guilty til proven innocent not the other way around. There is litigation right now cuz a police department refuses to use a breathalyzer and solely relies on bloodwork. They are putting sober people in jail til the bloodwork comes back. If this was the same State, FL would be charging them every day they're in cuz they decided to sue. This system is far from perfect and it ruins more lives than it helps

[@Daniel.H.Garavaglia]

@@NopeUghUghAbsolutelyNot Don't kid yourself its actually innocent until proven guilty by reasonable doubt or until a plea is accepted by the court.

[@NopeUghUghAbsolutelyNot]

@@Daniel.H.GaravagliaIn what country??? Plenty of ppl sitting in jail right now awaiting a trial to say if they're guilty or innocent LOL... Who is kidding themselves?

[@frankietyree1953]

What the Hell happened! Another example of Government greed!

[@SpotTheBorgCat]

Not the Government per se, since most prisons are now privately owned and operated.

[@colorbugoriginals4457]

You're right about the latter part, but I think the gov is responsible for this bc they let it happen.

[@onceagain6184]

​@@SpotTheBorgCatWRONG!!!

[@howlinwulf]

Private prisons. But the politicians have stocks in prisons. So do cop unions district attorneys.

[@howlinwulf]

​@@onceagain6184how would the government not be at fault?

[@maxlogan215]

Wow! Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

[@richc9359]

That’s a messed up system, they’re running.

[@torrent0411]

Got arrested years ago in pineIIas, I had a ten doIIar biII in my waIIet, it wasn't in my waIIet when I got it back, Iast room before I got reIeased I was handed a biII minus the ten they took from my waIIet for being arrested, so they turn me out miIes from home with no money, what a great day that was...... I never paided that biII.

[@wendelee0968]

Florida sheriffs and cops are all bad news.

[@Esther-lm6pm]

Then you should probably run as there's a warrant for your arrest. Thanks for outing yourself on a public forum. You should expect a visit in the next week or so

[@billybrown7953]

CRY ME A RIVER

[@wendelee0968]

There are millions of videos of bad cops in Florida..go Google. I lived in Florida for about twenty years and they are bad. I have seen much with my own eyes. When it's you and you're being treated like a criminal being screamed at by a cop on steroids and now.. your life vanishes under the law.. of course.. unless you're a cop.

[@wendelee0968]

Do y'all know what that blue stripe in our country's flag is? It's hate speech. That's every cop in the country telling you.. unless you're a cop or with a cop.. you can be erased. It's all funny until it happens to you or someone you love. Cops are bad everywhere.. everyday.. just Google.

[@edwardroche2480]

Prisons are supposed to rehabilitate people that's why they're called correction facilities. What they don't do this in fact they make it very hard to get a job after you leave prison. The president and the judges and the correction system are handicapping these people for life

[@Modernmidget]

I can’t get a decent job it took me months to find a job unloading shipping containers and I bust my butt to keep my job everyone else gets laid off cause they aren’t motivated like me cause I have a criminal record. Thank you for speaking out for people like me

[@spankyssurprise1361]

They handicapped themselves.

[@billybrown7953]

LOL 😂, a prison should be like living in he'll. Then people might not commit another crime.

[@Modernmidget]

@@billybrown7953 it’s a living hell buddy 🤓 let’s make every offense a death sentence everyone still going to offend you goofy mf get out your moms basement

[@user-lh5re8jh7u]

Department of Collections

[@Zach________]

Florida prison stay costs more a month than my downtown Orlando “luxury” apartment

[@cherylalt101]

Yes and they're double or triple billing for the same cell by charging according to the original time sentenced and not actual time served. That's got to be a crime. It sounds like conspiracy to commit fraud. It's also used as malicious prosecution for anyone who actually makes a success of their second chance or against anyone standing up for their rights. This has to be unconstitutional!

[@nathanb7281]

Wow! Rent, utilities, and food for less than $1,500 a month?! I need to move there.

[@liamirelander4221]

this is not only unconstitutional, but it insures people have to commit crime to pay for this

[@grimreaper4801]

i remember from steve lehto youtube channel. he did video about a guy who was arrested but held without bail for reasons for 9 months before he was release free of charge. The jail wanted to charge him for the stay at the jail when he wasn't guilty. He lost his job

[@eddo1983]

A fellow Steve Lehto fan here. I remember that story also

[@howlinwulf]

Lehto is the man!! I love his videos.

[@danasmith858]

But that's the point you sue the jail for recompensation for 9 months, I think the base is about $200,000 compensation

[@grimreaper4801]

@@howlinwulf same

[@grimreaper4801]

@@danasmith858 it the polics that arrested him and judge without bail. It was a cp charge. He had no password on his wifi which mean some random creep used his wifi to look it up. Which lend to the police thinking he was the one who was looking it up

[@cherylalt101]

I liked to know how many people stayed in the same cell they are charging this woman $50/day for seven years even though she was only there for 10 months. They are basically renting out prison cells like motel rooms only they could be charging several people for the same cell at one time and none of them are actually occupying that cell. The fact that they use it to selectively retaliate against people is certainly malicious prosecution and persecution. This young woman did everything the state should want from a convict. She beat her addiction and worked and studied to turn her life around and then applied for s state license to practice her new career and is punished again by being given a bill for $127,000 before they'll issue that license. They intentionally charge you for the time you are sentenced, not the time you served, and is like a conspiracy to commit fraud. This whole thing stinks and I'd like to know if Florida is the only state doing this and whether this started after prisons started being privatized. This sounds like a shady corporate scam. Are they also not being paid by the state to house and care for prisoners and then billing the prisoners also? Is this not double or triple or worse billing and isn't that again illegal? Lock them up!

[@adrielburned6924]

And charge them every night!🤬

[@bluediamond3932]

Dam, I didn't even know that

[@jessehickman668]

It’s a stacked deck and they’re always trying to stack it a bit more. This is indentured servitude. And these practices only seem to exist in the south. IJ is awesome at exposing this stuff.

[@user-nn3lf8fm4c]

THIS IS AN OUTRAGE.

[@princessi8758]

This is ridiculous. For the actual few that make it through their sentence and have also turned their life around they have served their time and should now be free in every way!!! Prisons need to be reformed to actually help people to make better decisions for the future (that benefits everyone)… to release them with a huge debt to pay is putting more pressure on them and ultimately a reason for them to commit crimes to repay or just feel overwhelmed and beaten… when does the greed stop?

[@erich6860]

So basically, once you do time in prison,,, your never getting out. Because you'll owe so much money,,, that you will have to commit a crime to go back in.

[@myview5840]

Circular system

[@billybrown7953]

Poor cupcake

[@erich6860]

@@gangstadrz9326 That has nothing to do with it. Prison is suppose to be there for punishment, and rehabilitation. This here, just makes life long sentences out of everything. No.. It is not as simple as what you say.

[@erich6860]

@@billybrown7953 yes you are. Wait until someone you love makes a mistake for something minor, and ends up with thousands of dollars in debt... You'll be the first to cry, like everyone else I know who talks and thinks like you.

[@mob5844]

I work with dudes in work release they take 55% of there check and give them 50 to 100 for grooming Fl takes EVERYBODY MONEY why you think no state tax SMDH

[@servicetech2909]

Move to another state sue in federal court new rulings unlawfully taking

[@JAM661]

Well this is a state issue and not a federal one.

[@patsquach4080]

I wonder if this issue falls under the landlord tenant agreement…

[@writerconsidered]

Florida is a special kind of hell.

[@burnout_2017]

The only time the word "special" has been used correctly in describing floriDUH.

[@holdilocks]

Legalized kidknapping, this incentivize to falsly imprison anyone on any bogus charge. The cops fish, plant and arrest for any ridiculous thing.

[@dangeary2134]

Eight years adds up to 146k. Eighth Amendment, anyone?

[@paulforester6996]

I will never even step foot in Florida with that corrupt of a system. How many of those people were innocent?

[@bbrcummins1984]

Please tell all your friends, family and neighbors, we are full down here 😊

[@paulforester6996]

@@bbrcummins1984 yeah, full of crazy.

[@tettazwo9865]

To think that Rick 'Medicare' Scott walks free is appalling!

[@gypsy547]

No Debtors Prison was a founding principle

[@juju-xx5xn]

This kind of BS is a holdover from the 1600's in America, when the Puritans were in power briefly. The Puritans were kicked out of England and came here to live. Google Puritans and punishment.

[@zrumble]

I was falsely accused of battery in 1998 Seminole County. I was going to fight it until I realized if I lost it could be 4years and $50 a day if I lost my case. So I pleaded no contest.

[@lonelychef875]

Scare tactics used to force a plea bargain. They tell you the max sentence for the crime, which is true, but in reality Florida sentencing is on a point system based on prior convictions. You have to have a certain amount of points to even be eligible for a state prison sentence. If you don't have enough points The most time they can sentence you to a county jail is one year. This also keeps any fines going to the county instead of the state. They love plea bargains.

[@billybrown7953]

LOL 😂, yea .... I'm sure you were a innocent bystander.

[@mob5844]

@@lonelychef875exactly you right about all of that Points and catching the same case in fl it’s a wrap

[@stevenheckman-oz3mp]

I'd call that cruel and unusual punishment. If you serve your time in your release you shouldn't have additional penalties added on.

[@yvonneerrend8217]

Put the crooked judge in prison. We've got to stand up to these crooked judges and the crooked judicial system!!!!.

[@user-jf6pz5jx8g]

The Federal Government pays each state to house and care for people in prison, and on top of this the state wants you to pay $50. per day for your sentenced time and not time served. Sounds to me like the state is double dipping

[@dennisschott2352]

Gives law enforcement in the state an incentive to create a criminal event for profit. Another reason to never live in Florida, most likely to never visit Florida ever!

[@steverico3090]

Rofl its obviously sabatoge. Making sure you never become a member of society.

[@cheyenneloutzenhiser510]

Um that’s how Arizona does it also

[@neenernener]

$50 per day & NO AC!! 80% Of FL prisons have NO AC! CRUEL & UNUSUAL

[@jenf1387]

This should be illegal and it should never come to this but those that are dealing with this can file bankruptcy and wipe out the debt. Relevant case law County of Dakota v. Milan

[@fringestream990]

Prisons siphon enough off tax payers. Government needs to stop putting non violent criminals in cages.

[@jodiehighroller9820]

Look who the governor is what do you expect

[@kyosanim9581]

Imagine buying groceries this week and then buying groceries again next week, but you would also have to pay for the previous week's groceries all over again. Or going on vacation and the hotel charges you every week after that the same as you paid during your week of vacation.

[@Weaf2727]

Currently law makers of Florida are helping to privatize all schools into charter schools by closing public schools. They are doing it all over the state, including right here in Jacksonville, FL. They are only closing a few at a time, hoping know one will take notice until all schools are privatized. The Charter schools aren't held to the same levels as the public schools but still get tax money that normally would have gone to the public schools.

[@ianbattles7290]

How is it not fraud to charge her for "room & board" *that she never received???*

[@ianmcgeehan4627]

Shifting costs to those imprisoned is ridiculous. It motivates the system to needlessly imprison people to collect money.

[@Higinjhhg1123]

This is disgusting....our system is broken and this is horrible....how many people ended there lives over debt from a mistake they paid for over financial issues...😢

[@raybrensike42]

No more banana republic. This must stop.

[@littlewingmyoho]

I have never heard of such a thing 😮😮😮

[@sinebar]

I'd let them know where they could stick that $50 a day.

[@illmagnetic]

Do the tax payers get their money back?

[@holdilocks]

Exactly, we wouldn't require such vicious behavior.

[@vickilawrence7207]

This is absolutely unacceptable! That’s making it impossible for people to move on once they’re out of prison! That’s absurd!

[@ronhall3686]

Wonder how much these private prisons donated to state politicians to get these lucrative contracts?

[@jamesclark9347]

Arizona's county jail in Mohave county does it also

[@cinemaipswich4636]

The Law of Contract. No knowing and informed consent. No negotiation. No alternative. No attempt to treat. Additional punishment.

[@lisarodriguez1253]

How the hell suppose to pay? They can’t get a job while incarcerated so how are they supposed to earn money

[@davealmighty9638]

If they get the money from prisoners, shouldnt tax payers get a refund?

[@mitchellpierce6233]

Well, the point of jail is to pay a debt to society. Now, though, they depend on the money it generates, so they pass ordinances and guidelines that people can't live up to so they can keep the numbers up. Prison is big business, and we can't expect them to just give up that money. No, we lowly dogs need to learn our place and just do what we are told. Including staying in debt and as poor as possible so you can't defend against it when they violate your rights. It's a great system for them to have devised to keep us all as down as possible. This damn sure wasn't set up to help anyone, and if so, someone is going to have to explain it.

[@Rolling2Much]

You wrote this whole text wall but have no idea what your talking about. I implore you to watch the video again.

[@user-er3ri6sc3j]

The love of money is the root of all ......

[@mitchellpierce6233]

@user-er3ri6sc3j No, money just affords power. People want power, money is just a means to it.

[@mitchellpierce6233]

@Rolling2Much I can assure you that I know more about what I'm talking about than you do if you think I'm wrong. I was commenting on the system as a whole, not necessarily just this story. The system is absolutely rigged against us and done so for profit. You are blind as hell if you don't see that much.

[@user-fb5pt7kw7l]

This keeps the prisoners instutionalized. They never get out of the system.

[@tettazwo9865]

To think that Rick 'Medicare' Scott walks free is appalling!

[@rebeccarittenhouse2203]

Most of us couldn’t afford $50 a day with a job. This is insane extortion.

[@user-bl8qo3kw5w]

That is insanity.

[@BETTERWORLDSGT]

It's outrageous! That's all someone needs when they get out with a crippling debt!

[@NottaTrick]

Extremism at its finest.

[@Operator_68]

Well if you're going to charge them $50 a day then you better get some clean sheets on the beds, better food, maid service, and install a pool. You want to charge like a hotel than act like a hotel.

[@tajeshkalia1293]

That's the new Gta in Florida for ya. Pay to stay.

[@Flawampuscat]

Elaborate.

[@Flawampuscat]

Wrong comment.

[@garybowler5946]

Florida you win, you are the cruelest state.

[@geeodom2150]

Cruel and unusual punishment!! Retaliation!!😮😮

[@Coldcrush2012]

Another way to prevent them from VOTING even when they have completed their Sentence.

[@gailgrant3209]

Please help these people and stop this travesty.

[@FJB827]

WTH taxpayers pay for prisons!. So if the prisoners are paying what the hell is that?

[@DemocratsUnite]

Merrick Garland and the DOJ should order a cease-and-desist immediately

[@EnhancedSimplicity]

No desire to go to Florida

[@RatTerminator]

Don't Do the crime if u Can't do the time or pay !! Deterence!!

[@Kim-Berly200]

That’s so wrong 😢

[@JeffreyEldredge1608]

When was this law Legislated?

[@emilyrandall9968]

Hello from NJ That should stop repeat offenders

[@burnout_2017]

How exactly does this accomplish that??????? For most of these folks, committing more crimes is their only choice after release. They cant get housing, they cant get jobs, and they owe the state (private prisons) thousands and thousands of dollars. What do think most are going to do? They are not incentivized to do the right thing because it gets them nowhere. In fact, they are reminded everyday that they cant move forward in life by the roadblocks they face, so they go off the books and back into crime.

[@DavidEm-zd9fg]

Whos the criminals again ?

[@liamirelander4221]

if u have no income for those years then you can only collect what they can afford from those years which is nothing

[@djohanson99]

Just wanna keep people down.

[@anonymous-tn6ij]

If they can’t pay, I guess they should just go to jail😂😂😂

[@guymobbley8324]

This is why so many people are leaving Florida the laws are insane. The price of living keeps going up along with taxes then you have lawmakers in the state that there tyrants and can do whatever they want. Well, it always works for a while.

[@maitaimaitai4046]

Disgusting.

[@KingSteven26]

If you have to pay for your own prison cell, you should also get tenants rights: Get a key, Come and go as you please, no Inspection without further notice, and so on... Also everyone who cant or wont pay gets evicted.😁

[@Look_What_You_Did]

Well played.

[@johnnylafayette]

See why leaving law up to the states is just a bad ordeal!!!

[@corinneanderson1273]

It'll be interesting to hear their response to this story.

[@thisisntsergio1352]

Institute of justice is amazing!!!

[@user-nl9yc7ib1m]

The question is can they can change or not????

[@dangeary2134]

So, even if you are proven innocent of all charges, you still get it in the backside? Criminalize everyone, that way THEY can keep bilking the public. Policing is all for profit, anymore.

[@joec.9591]

Florida.

[@donaldfeger91]

Private prison? This cruel and unusual punishment which is unconstitutional!

[@macbrazzle754]

Not to mention that it’s corporate statutes and not criminal laws

[@onceagain6184]

You are absolutely wrong!

[@yomellamoelrey9591]

They should take her out of the congress, shame on you people of the Bonx