Florida Inmates Face Ongoing Charges for Prison Cells Even After Release

Reintegrating into society after serving time in prison is often challenging as individuals grapple with the aftermath of their incarceration.

In Florida, a little-known law worsens these difficulties, imposing further burdens on those seeking a fresh start.

Across Florida and many other states, a practice known as “pay-to-stay” adds to the struggles of former inmates by holding them financially accountable for their time behind bars.

Under this system, individuals are charged for the costs associated with their incarceration, with fees accumulating daily, even if they are released early.

Shelby Hoffman, featured in a report by WFTS Tampa Bay, shares the impact of this policy. Despite serving only 10 months of a 7-year sentence, Hoffman was left to handle a $127,000 bill.

“I’ve been out of prison 7.5 years at this point. When I have trekked so hard to get a track record that I have now, and you are imposing something that I can’t pay off in a lifetime, so I am stuck . . . I have a family now, I have a daughter, a wonderful husband, I have a home, I have all these accomplishments I’ve worked so hard, so hard to maintain,” she said.

Her efforts to rebuild her life, including achieving sobriety and pursuing higher education, have been hindered by the weight of this debt, preventing her from pursuing her desired career as a case manager.

The consequences of pay-to-stay fines extend far beyond the prison walls, casting a shadow over individuals like Hoffman, trapping them in a cycle of insurmountable debt.

Critics argue that this practice is not only unjust but also ineffective, failing to serve any purpose beyond continuing the punishment of ex-offenders.

Experts, such as Lisa Foster from the Fines & Fees Justice Center, denounce pay-to-stay laws as unconstitutional and disproportionate, yet they remain largely unchanged in many states.