In the grand scheme of things, few things in life are as expensive as being in prison. Your life chances are ruined. Your financial situation is in tatters. You owe a huge amount of money and you have few ways of paying back what you owe. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the cost of a single day of incarceration can range from $7.00 to $12.00, depending on where you are spending your time and what level of security you require. The total cost of a month of incarceration is roughly between $25,000.00 and $40,000.00, not including expenses such as food, clothing, and healthcare. And that’s just for one person. Each additional person you have in your care (e.g. a spouse or child) will add to the total cost. Think of all the taxes that need to be paid when you get out. There are just so many bills to pay once you’re back in the real world.
Why Are People Incarcerated?
There are several reasons why people end up in prison, but the most common one is drug-related offenses. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, about 60% of federal prison inmates are there for drug-related crimes. And it’s no surprise that nearly all of the prison inmates I’ve met say that they are there for drugs. Why? Because drugs are expensive. Getting them is easy. And once you’re there, getting rid of the addiction can be tricky. Addicts often think that the solution to their financial problems is located in drugs, which is why so many end up in prison. But drugs aren’t the answer. They’re just a temporary band-aid. You’ll eventually have to address the issue head-on, by getting the right drug treatment program.
How Do I Calculate the Costs Of Incarceration?
Now that you know what the costs of incarceration are, you can start to figure out how much money you’ll need to save in order to get out of prison. First, you’ll need to determine how long you’ll be there. The earlier you start planning, the better. Next, you’ll need to work out how much you’ll need to earn in order to pay off your debts once you get out. The sooner you can save up the money, the better. Lastly, you’ll need to save some money in case you get stuck in prison for a long time. That’s what contingency funds are for. They’re in case you get hit by a bus, or robbed, or arrested for a crime you didn’t commit. In all these situations, it would be nice to have some money on hand in case you get locked up.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Out Of Prison?
Once you know how much money you’ll need to save, you can start to plan how you’ll pay off your debts. How much does it cost to get out of prison? That depends on several factors. First, what’s the amount of your debt? If you have a $5.00 debt to your local drugstore, that’s $5.00 that you’ll need to pay back. Next, how long have you been in prison? More months means more money. Finally, what level of security do you require? Most prisoners will be put in a medium security prison with minimal security. That means that there’s an electronic fence around the whole prison, along with armed guards and patrols everywhere. Those are the typical things you see in movies. The more security you require, the more money it will cost to get out. Remember, you’re not going to want to go to a low security prison because they don’t offer the same opportunities for you to get a decent job when you get out. Sometimes it feels good to give a call to the parole office and ask how much your charges are going to be when you’re finally released. Believe it or not, calling ahead and knowing the answer puts you in control of the situation. You can decide whether or not you want to stay there and continue paying off your debt. Sometimes it’s best to walk away and keep your head held high. You don’t owe them anything and you certainly don’t need to explain yourself to anyone.
How Do I Calculate The Monthly Cost Of Incarceration?
Once you know how much it will cost to get out of prison, you can start to figure out how much it will cost to incarcerate you. The monthly cost of incarceration is going to be the sum of your payment for your cell phone, your canteen, and any additional fees related to your incarceration (e.g. if you have children, they may need a visit pass). Let’s say that you’re putting down $500.00 a month for your phone payment and the canteen. That gives you $600.00 a month to spend on other things. Now, you have several options. You can either spend it all on food and water or you can save it up. Let’s say that you decide to save it up. That means you’re going to need to determine how long you’ll be in prison. In order to figure out how much money you’ll need to save, you’ll need to multiply your cell phone payment by the number of months that you’ll be in prison. Five hundred dollars a month for your cell phone is going to add up quickly if you’re there for a year, especially if you’re in a high security prison. Add another ninety dollars a month for the canteen and that’s a one-year-plus jail term. So, if you’re in prison for one year, you’ll need to save about $6,300.00. That’s just for the cell phone and canteen. Don’t forget about the other fees, like the ones related to your incarceration. These can add up quickly, too. If you have kids, they may need a visit pass and school fees will be incurred. All these things together can add up to a significant amount of money. That’s why it’s important to start saving as soon as possible. Just think about all the money you’ll need in order to get out of prison. It’s already too late to start planning once you’re there.
I hope that this article has helped you understand the cost of incarceration. Just remember, you’re not alone. There are people out there that care and want to help. You don’t owe it to anyone to stay in prison. Take the time to find the best drug treatment program that you can and get your life back on track. That’s what’s really important.