Mass. sheriff asks court to reinstate inmate fees
Published: November 1, 2009
BOSTON (AP) - The highest court in Massachusetts will hear arguments this week in a sheriff’s bid to charge inmates fees for rent, haircuts and medical visits.
Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson began charging inmates fees in 2002, including a $5 a day rent fee for staying in county jails.
Two years later, a Superior Court judge struck down the fees, agreeing with inmates that county sheriffs don’t have the authority to impose such charges.
The state Supreme Judicial Court will hear Hodgson’s appeal of that ruling on Monday.
Hodgson says the fees can help teach inmates to accept responsibility for their actions and ease the burden on taxpayers, who pay for inmate services.
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Reader Reactions
I don’t know why the courts would not agree with Mr. Hodgson. $5 a day is such a small amount. I wish I could get a roof over my head, food, medical, dental, hair cuts, & so on for $150 a month. I can’t live 5 days a month on that. Prisoners live better than many people today. People are struggling without jobs can just barely pay their bills & put food on the table. Why shouldn’t prisoners pay they are supposed to be there as a punishment but they seem to live the high life. Does anyone know how many prisoners are at the ACI?
Kimzee2: I forgot to put this in my last comment. But I totally understand your frustration. I am seven months pregnant and have been unable to get my seasonal flu shot because there are currently no more left. Of course, I probably would of had the time to get it if I wasn’t busy working full time. So I guess crime does pay!!!
I totally agree!!! I also think that these criminals should also be paying for public defenders when convicted. Why should I, or any other tax payer, have to pay for a drug dealer, rapist, child molester, or murderer to be defended for the crimes they commit? If these people use public defenders then they should be forced to pay that money back along with their expenses while they are incarcerated.
These inmates should be paying for all of their care. Their rent, food, utilities, health care…just like the rest of the taxpayers. The state should take over possession of any/all assets that will cover the costs associated with that inmate. Why should I struggle to feed, clothe, insure & shelter these idiots when I have a hard enought time supporting my own family. These inmates chose to break the law and they should pay dearly for it. Not me.
P.S. My kids are still waiting for their flu shots…but because these guys are incarcerated, they got theirs first. On my dollar!!!
hmmm what if they don’t have the rent money. do they get evicted??? 
Of course the inmates should be paying rent! They should also be paying for television, movies, haircuts, basketballs, weights, and food. When you think about it, $5 a day is a fantastic deal! Can you imagine living on just $5 a day? These guys don’t know how good they have it.
I totally agree with what he is doing. Every state should be charging inmates also.
Sheriff Hodgson has a good idea. What is the problem? It should be allowed or more states should follow suit.
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