The County of Clinton (Indiana) is planning to charge persons convicted of criminal offenses up to $30 per day during the term of imprisonment to reduce the amount of money contributed by taxpayers for the maintenance of the correctional institution.
County Sheriff rich Kelly submitted this idea to the County commissioners who voted for the adoption of the plan.
In accordance with this decree, persons who have been convicted of criminal offences will be charged penalty of up to $30 per day for a term of imprisonment.
«If it keeps one person from a crime, it’s worth it,» said Kelly channel WTTV-TV.
According to the Commissioner of Clinton County Joshua Witts, the law of the state of Indiana allows you to make such a decision, to reimburse the cost of taxpayers.
According to preliminary estimates, the taxpayers of the County pay $4 million a year on maintenance of the prison, including food for the prisoners. The Sheriff said that he wanted to help those that pay taxes.
«It is the duty of every adult. We all have to pay,» said Kelly.
The program includes several conditions, chief among them – are taxed only those prisoners whose level of income on the freedom twice the Federal poverty level wages.
During the year the average inmate will be required to pay nearly $11 thousand. According to Sheriff Kelly, the majority of prisoners in the Clinton County jail sentenced to lesser terms.
The American civil liberties Union (ACLU) of Indiana were strongly against this policy.
«When prisoners are released, they should be given the opportunity to reintegrate into society and become law-abiding citizens. The expense of $10 thousand per year will complicate the process of reentry into society because released is very difficult to find a job and housing. All this will increase the already significant economic and racial disparities in our criminal justice system,» said Executive Director of ACLU Indiana Jane Henegar.
The final adoption of the programme is planned in August. Next year will conduct its evaluation to determine whether to continue.
