Public Prisons, Private Profits

[marmar]

Public Prisons, Private Profits

Saturday, 01 November 2014 09:39
By Victoria Law, Truthout | Report


When her daughter was first incarcerated in Arizona's Perryville State Prison, "Rae" sent her money orders bought at the local cash-checking place or from Walmart. But those took too long to clear, leaving her daughter without needed supplies, so she began driving to the post office to buy money orders. Throughout her daughter's four years in prison, Rae has sent her money twice a month - $100 on the first of the month and whatever she can afford (usually $50 or less) on the 15th of the month.

"When she first got there, she was issued two pairs of underwear, which had been worn by someone else," Rae told Truthout. So Rae sent her daughter money to buy her own underwear, bras and socks as well as tennis shoes and a TV set. "It was $300 for the TV," she recalled.

Her daughter earns 35 cents an hour cleaning inside the prison. Although the prison supplies some necessities, like one roll of toilet paper each week and a limited number of tampons or pads, Rae's daughter relies on the money from home to get her through each week. These money orders enable her to buy the additional toilet paper and feminine hygiene supplies she needs each month. It also enables her to buy Tylenol and cold medicine as well as pay the $4 co-pay on each medical visit. "Occasionally she can splurge and buy herself a candy bar, but that's rare," Rae said.

On October 15, 2014, however, Arizona changed the way family members like Rae can send money. Now, instead of paying $1.25 for a money order at the post office, Rae must use one of three companies - JPay, Global TelLink or Keefe - to send her daughter money. To send $50 through Keefe, Rae also needs to pay a $4.75 internet transaction fee. Families without internet access can deposit money by phone - for a fee of $5.75 - or in a storefront transaction for $5.95. ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://truth-out.org/news/item/27138-public-prisons-private-profits

[Arkansas Granny]

1. k&r

[librechik]

2. Truly, this is the most despicable atrocity the US is doing

with a straight face no less. And there's a long climb to get to the top of that list.

[JEB]

3. K&R for exposure.

When did it become acceptable to profit from the misery of others and to prey on the most vulnerable? The lunatics are running the asylum or in this case the criminals are running the prison.

[CrispyQ]

4. I can't even finish this article I'm so goddamned seething mad.

Locking up citizens to profit off of them.