Illinois state in court to seize $11,000 that inmate saved from working in prison

[Jenna]

He owes $455,203.14 to cover the costs of his stay at the Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet. Hawkins has been in prison since Nov. 19, 1982. His jailer is also his debt collector.
Hawkins is fighting in court to stop the state from seizing about $11,000 in his bank account to partially satisfy the debt. The 60-year-old earned the money by working while he's been behind bars, making about $75 a month.

Illinois has had an inmate work program since about 1973, according to department spokeswoman Sharyn Elman. The goal is to reduce recidivism by helping prisoners learn new skills and earn some money that they can use upon release. About 44 percent of the state's 48,000 inmates participate in the program, Elman wrote in response to e-mailed questions.
Hawkins began working soon after he entered Stateville, where he was sentenced to 60 years for the 1980 slaying of a 65-year-old man and attempting to kill two Chicago policemen. He wanted to send some money to his daughter, who was 8 when he went to prison, said Glad. Hawkins is up for parole in 2028.
Hawkins learned to build desks, chairs, dividers and cabinets in the prison's wood shop, Glad said. His wages amount to about $2 a day, not including a small commission he earned on each piece sold.

More here: Illinois seeks to seize prisoner's wages - Chicago Tribune

[keith720]

I see nothing wrong with this. It's not as though he has any living expenses, other than Ramen noodles, crackers and postage stamps.

[Five-0]

One of the most corrupt states in the Union seizing money that was worked for, say it ain't so. Does he think he is special because he is in prison?

[MacLean]

One of the most corrupt states in the Union seizing money that was worked for, say it ain't so. Does he think he is special because he is in prison?

One of the?

[121Traffic]

I actually have a problem with this. Kind of the old bait and switch. I wouldn't have a problem with this if they told them from the get go that they wouldn't be able to keep the money. Under what exception are they seizing the money? Do they seize all inmates' earned money from the program? The program, according to officials, is designed to let inmates earn money at an admittedly paltry rate. I don't condone slave labor and/or theft, even if the victim is a murdering con. That's what's supposed to separate the good guys from the bad.

Barring some unmentioned circumstances here, I'm actually on this guy's side. What a crooked fucking state.

[Five-0]

I actually have a problem with this. Kind of the old bait and switch. I wouldn't have a problem with this if they told them from the get go that they wouldn't be able to keep the money. Under what exception are they seizing the money? Do they seize all inmates' earned money from the program? The program, according to officials, is designed to let inmates earn money at an admittedly paltry rate. I don't condone slave labor and/or theft, even if the victim is a murdering con. That's what's supposed to separate the good guys from the bad.

Barring some unmentioned circumstances here, I'm actually on this guy's side. What a crooked fucking state.

Self answering post my friend.

[keith720]

Hawkins began working soon after he entered Stateville, where he was sentenced to 60 years for the 1980 slaying of a 65-year-old man and attempting to kill two Chicago policemen.
______________________________ ______________________________ _____
The family of the victims should get the money. Sorry, no symphathy from me for this guy.

[121Traffic]

Hawkins began working soon after he entered Stateville, where he was sentenced to 60 years for the 1980 slaying of a 65-year-old man and attempting to kill two Chicago policemen.
______________________________ ______________________________ _____
The family of the victims should get the money. Sorry, no symphathy from me for this guy.

As far as sympathy goes, we are in agreement. I reserve my sympathy for the victims. What's right is right, however. And if he worked and was paid under the agreement of keeping the money, and now they're trying to take it, sorry but I call bullshit.

Now if the court had ordered he work and the compensation be given to the family from the outset, I'd be bout it bout it.

[MacLean]

Yup.

Do what you say and say what you do.

[Jenna]

It seems counterproductive--if an inmate makes about $75 a month from work, no doubt a lot of the work is not compensated, and the prison saves money because it doesn't have to pay for the work (which would otherwise be done by a free employee). If inmates didn't have at least small incentives to work, inmates would probably work less, do lower quality work, or refuse to work at all, and that would reduce the money the inmates contribute to their own living expenses.