Another way they get you: $25 to enter prison

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Critics say a new one-time fee of $25 that Arizona charges visitors to state prisons is a tax and want it declared unconstitutional.

The law, which went into effect July 20, requires visitors at 15 state prisons to pay the fee for background checks.

But the law which created the fee also directed all money collected to be deposited into a building renewal fund, to pay for repairing and maintaining Department of Corrections buildings.

The advocacy group Middle Ground Prison Reform has sued the state Department of Corrections, seeking to have the fee declared a tax and any money paid so far returned to visitors.

Donna Hamm, the group's executive director, told the Arizona Capitol Times that the state legislature "needs to stop thinking of prisoners and their families, who often are economically disadvantaged, as cash cows."

Attorneys for prison inmates are exempt from the fee, as are the foster parents of inmates' minor children and anyone under 18.

Middle Ground Prison Reform says it believes the fee is unique among states.

Corrections officials deny allegations that it targets vulnerable groups and that the fee is unconstitutional.

They say the fees will help ensure inmate safety.

[MicaelaDark]

"The law, which went into effect July 20, requires visitors at 15 state prisons to pay the fee for background checks.

But the law which created the fee also directed all money collected to be deposited into a building renewal fund, to pay for repairing and maintaining Department of Corrections buildings."

This is the important part. If this "fee" were actually being used for background checks, why does the money got into a non-related account? Answer: Because it's a BS fee.

This isn't reimbursement for services rendered or products offered. The background check is done via their computers, simply by typing in name, DOB, and SS# most likely. The cost is negligible.

[ddog88]

Our prison system is corrupt. Poor people go to prison and the rich stay out. Prison should be for only the animals of society and it should suck so bad that no one would want to visit let alone be locked up in. Our laws need reform.

[dkb218]

It amazes me just how stupid Americans are. You hold people against their will then want relatives to pay to see them? Wow.

[netjunkie1]

There are necessitys and few luxurys prisoners are allowed to purchase but only through their corrupted system of security.
For example, prisoners are allowed a TV, only special TV's are allowed that can only be bought though the system and cost 5x what it's value is. The same applies to basic needs like shampoo.
The food in prison is more like hell, and they are all depressed.

[Forty-Four]

I think it is meant to be a deterrent/way to help maintain the prison. But is sucks for the people (and these people do exist) that go because they can't stand being homeless, and have nothing else so they at least have shelter and food.

[Dgunner]

I think the real problem is the State not the maintaing of prisons. If they can off set state spending ? That off set is under the federal amount of limits then the state gets more federal funds.

[bigredgma]

Background checks on who? Visitors? Proposed applicants? People already pay taxes and they want visitors to pay a fee--to me that is double taxing. But only visitors. All in favor of this remember this will just punish the families not anyone else. And is this "fee" per person or per family? If per person I feel badly for the mother/father of 4 who want to see their dad/mom.
I can't believe the harshness of some of the comments on here. Not all inmates are hardened criminals. There are those who are first time offenders--I know, I have a family member who is one.
And I can see charging inmates for fees, but where are they going to get the money? If they "pay" the inmates, why not just stop the practice? Money saved. But then the ACLU will say inhumane because when they are released they will have nothing.
So what is a working solution? What will make everyone happy? NOTHING! Someone will always have a complaint.
I thought they were on the right track with their immigration laws, but punishing Americans for wanting to visit their families is unreal. Maybe we should charge a fee to visit patients at hospitals too. That would offset hospital costs--to the hospital not the patient of course.

[tsigili]

Of course it is a tax. It is a "hidden" tax, called by another name, but a tax, nevertheless. People would be astounded by how many "hidden" taxes there are.

[mjlewis6]

Inmates have rights. Just because they are sentenced to a term in incarceration under certain conditions and restrictions on their liberties, does not mean they have to give up all rights to just treatment, legal issues as well as rights remain.

Were we the aristocracy some seem to admire and want to emulate, it would be off with their heads or terms of imprisonment that far exceeds the social ill that incarceration is supposed to provide a remedy for.

Read Hughes' book on "The Fatal Shore" for the penal settlement of Australia for a good look at monarchial justice and see if you like it. Arizona is a cesspool of class warfare and Texas is a police state since the legislature meets only 120 days out of two years...as a counterbalance to the judiciary and the executive branches, strictly a police state with little restraint and businesses seem to thrive on the no state income tax.

[AttyFAM]

Arizona seems never to have heard the word "Humanity". That state embodies the worst that Dickens portrayed of England and the worst that Victor Hugo portrayed of France, all piled on top of one another. If there is a meanness to be done, the Republican legislature and Governor there will do it. If there is a kindness to be done, you can be sure they will leave it undone.

Perhaps we should rename the state: Orcland