Repaying Debts

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This guide provides research findings, with supporting statistics, to explain the origins and extent of the problems associated with the repayment responsibilities of people released from prisons and jails. With this foundation, the CSG Justice Center developed six policy statements, each of which articulates a principle that should guide an initiative to improve the likelihood that people released from prisons and jails will successfully meet their financial obligations to victims and families. Each policy statement is followed by a description of the problem it addresses and by a set of recommendations for implementation that are presented as lettered statements in bold text.

Numerous examples included in this guide draw attention to interesting efforts in a variety of cities, counties, and states that may provide valuable ideas for policymakers to consider or build upon as they develop their own initiatives. By highlighting certain approaches, however, this guide is not necessarily promoting them as “best practices.” 

The examples cited simply reflect various types of efforts that involve partnerships, programs, or practices for other communities to think about as they develop responses to the problems detailed in this guide.