Prisoner keep; increases amount locality may charge inmate to defray costs associated therewith. (HB1919)
Introduced By
Del. Anne Crockett-Stark (R-Wytheville) with support from co-patrons Del. Paula Miller (D-Norfolk), and Del. Chris Peace (R-Mechanicsville)
Progress
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Introduced |
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Passed Committee |
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Passed House |
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Passed Senate |
X |
Signed by Governor |
X |
Became Law |
Description
Corrections; payment of costs associated with prisoner keep. Increases from $1 to $25 the amount a locality may charge an inmate to defray the costs associated with the inmate's keep. Amends § 53.1-131.3 (“Payment of costs associated with prisoners\u2019 keep.”), of the Code of Virginia. View Full Text »
Outcome
Bill Has Failed
View Bill's History
Comments
That's really an enormous amount of money. Somebody convicted of writing bad checks, sentenced to six months, emerges $4,575 in debt. Which they can't pay, of course, because that's why they're in there in the first place. And what then? Do we put them in prison because they can't pay? I worry we're reinventing debtors' prison.
Does anyone really believe this is an appropiate reasoning? Where will these people get the money?
Already,their families are in dire straits and though anxious to have them free, can hardly afford to help them return to a viable life and pay accumalated debt. Reduce the number of people locked up. We all know there are many who've served sentences that have been much too long. Hope you don't consider this move a deterrant. Crimes continue. Bankers,politicians, world leaders; committing crimes every day.
The state needs to release men and women who have served ample time, who've made life changes and can become contributing citizens, not look for ways to increase revenue from the families who are already paying the price. Retun parole. Get moving parole for those under the old law. Get RID of the 'denied' stamp now held by Helen Fahey!!