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People released from prisons and jails often fail to meet their financial obligations. In some cases, individuals are unwilling—though able—to assume their fiscal responsibilities to the victims of their crime and their families, as well as to the criminal justice system. In these situations, appropriate responses include a range of sanctions to compel payment, such as increased levels of supervision or incarceration.
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People released from prisons and jails often fail to meet their financial obligations. In some cases, individuals are unwilling—though able—to assume their fiscal responsibilities to the victims of their crime and their families, as well as to the criminal justice system. In these situations, appropriate responses include a range of sanctions to compel payment, such as increased levels of supervision or incarceration.
At the same time, there are people who make every attempt to meet all of their financial obligations, yet lack the necessary assets. These individuals, who typically are unable to obtain employment (or employment with decent wages) because of their limited education or marketable job skills often fall short of their goals to meet their obligations. In exceptional cases, individuals who are indigent or disabled may not be able to make any monetary payments but may want the opportunity to demonstrate their accountability to their victims, families, and communities.
The recommendations that follow address both those individuals unwilling to pay and those people unable but trying to pay, suggesting sanctions for the former and incentives or rewards for the latter, such as waivers of interest on accumulated debts. These recommendations also suggest strategies to increase the earning capacity of people with limited education or marketable job skills. They also promote the establishment of nonmonetary payment options, such as community service, for people who are indigent or disabled.
