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We are working hard to pass Senate Bill 2929, The End Prison Slave Labor bill. The average pay for someone working and incarcerated in Illinois prisons is $28 a month. It is not possible to live off of $28 a month.
We are working hard to pass Senate Bill 2929, The End Prison Slave Labor bill. The average pay for someone working and incarcerated in Illinois prisons is $28 a month. It is not possible to live off of $28 a month.
For those of you wondering, “What is money in prison spent on?” …. keep reading.
. @PrisonPolicy found that incarcerated people in Illinois spend about $1,000 at the commissary during the course of a year.
Now, are you thinking “I thought people in prison get free food”? Well, according to the @MarshallProj and anecdotes from our community members in IDOC, there have been numerous allegations against prisons that incarcerated people are not being fed enough.
A recent study from the CDC found that people experiencing incarceration are 7x more likely to suffer from a food-related illness than the general population. Institutions are struggling to enforce basic food-safety standards.
(Photos from @MarshallProj)
(Photos from @MarshallProj)
Inevitably, people turn towards the commissary.
The @PrisonPolicy report also found that people experiencing incarceration spend about $80 yearly on hygiene, $76 on clothing, $71 on electronics, and $45 on household goods and supplies. Incarcerated people are not buying luxury items, but rather basic necessities…
...like shower sandals, extra rolls of toilet paper (correctional facilities provide about 1 roll per week), antacid tablets, antihistamines, hemorrhoid ointment, antifungal cream, vitamins, none of which are provided by the state.
A breakdown of the monthly costs in Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC):
Soap = $5, Deodorant = $8, Shampoo = $8, Toothpaste = $10, Toothbrush = $4, Stamped Envelope = $.70, Paper = $4, Pen = $2, Food = $220
Soap = $5, Deodorant = $8, Shampoo = $8, Toothpaste = $10, Toothbrush = $4, Stamped Envelope = $.70, Paper = $4, Pen = $2, Food = $220
Family members often have to financially support their loved one experiencing incarceration. In Illinois, 186,00 children have an incarcerated parent. Family incomes drop 22% when fathers are incarcerated.
We can end prison slave labor and lessen the financial burden on families impacted by incarceration. Sign the #UnlockCivics petition to support. https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/chicago-votes-unlock-civics
