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News Articles: debtors prisons

Tom Barrett of Augusta, Georgia returned to a convenience store where he stole a can of beer. He spent time in jail, not for the crime, but because he couldn't afford the fines and fees that went along with wearing an electronic monitoring device.

Could Change In Law Mean End To Debtors' Prisons?

In Georgia, county courts have contracted with private probation companies to collect fines from offenders. People are sometimes jailed for not being...

May 16, 2017
|
By:
  • Celeste Headlee and
  • Sean Powers
Tom Barrett of Augusta, Georgia returned to a convenience store where he stole a can of beer. He spent time in jail, not for the crime, but because he couldn't afford the fines and fees that went along with wearing an electronic monitoring device.

Modern Day 'Debtors' Prisons' Widespread

A class-action lawsuit filed last week alleges 13 cities in St. Louis County, Missouri put people behind bars because they couldn't afford to pay court...

August 17, 2016
|
By:
  • Celeste Headlee and
  • Sean Powers

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