NCJ Number
49459
Date Published
1977
Length
317 pages
Annotation
THE TYPES AND EXTENT OF DEBTS INCURRED BY SWEDISH INMATES ARE EXAMINED ALONG WITH EXISTING AND PROPOSED MEASURES FOR RELIEVING INMATES OF FINANCIAL BURDENS WHICH CAN THREATEN POSTRELEASE SUCCESS.
Abstract
STUDY DATA WERE GATHERED FROM PREVIOUS SURVEYS OF INMATES' DEBTS AND FROM INTERVIEWS WITH CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL, SWEDISH TAX OFFICIALS, SHERIFFS, AND INMATES OF ONE SWEDISH PRISON. INMATES OFTEN HAVE GENERAL DEBTS SUCH AS UNPAID TAXES, FINES, AND LAWYERS' FEES AS WELL AS DEBTS TO PRIVATE BUSINESSES. A 1969 SURVEY OF INMATES' DEBTS SHOWED THAT 40 PERCENT OF ADULT PRISONERS IN ONE SWEDISH INSTITUTION OWED OVER 50,000 CROWNS IN DEBTS. AN OVERVIEW OF SWEDISH REGULATIONS REGARDING DEBT COLLECTION AND CREDIT CONDITIONS IS PRESENTED, AND POSSIBILITIES THAT EXIST FOR WRITING OFF DEBTS, PAYING THEM IN INSTALLMENTS, DEFERMENT, REMISSION, AND DEBT MITIGATION ARE CONSIDERED. MANY FINANCIAL BENEFITS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO PRISONERS SUCH AS WORKER'S COMPENSATION AND OTHER TYPES OF INSURANCE, AND NO WELFARE PAYMENTS ARE GIVEN TO INMATES OTHER THAN THOSE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL POPULATION. THE FEW SPECIAL COMPENSATIONS THAT ARE PRESENTLY AVAILABLE TO PRISONERS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT FOR THEIR NEEDS. MEASURES THAT COULD BE ADOPTED TO RELIEVE INMATE DEBT PROBLEMS SHOULD BE DIRECTED AT ONLY THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE IN REAL FINANCIAL NEED AND ARE WILLING TO WORK TO IMPROVE THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION. POSSIBILITIES INCLUDE DIRECT FINANCIAL AID, ARRANGING EMPLOYMENT FOR RELEASEES AND PAROLEES, PROVIDING ADEQUATE WAGES FOR INMATES' INSTITUTIONAL WORK, AND ALLOWING INMATES TO WORK OUTSIDE PRISON FOR REGULAR WAGES. ARRANGEMENTS COULD ALSO BE MADE TO ASSIST AND ADVISE INMATES WITH THEIR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OR PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION OR EDUCATION ON FINANCIAL PLANNING. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN DATA ON INMATES' DEBTS AND BUDGET PLANS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT FORMS FOR INMATES. -- IN SWEDISH. (DAG)