You might actually go to jail if you can't pay your debt?
By kingparker
@kingparker (9673)
United States
April 12, 2011 6:51pm CST
I thought there is no debtor's prison, but maybe I have to take the word back. From New York Times, and other newspaper, they reported that other states, such as Florida, Illinois, Chicago, etc..... might lock people up if they can't afford to pay the debt they owe. That is a bit scary though, don't you think? Maybe due to the stark condition of recent economy, everyone is desperate, even the Federal government.
But let's make an argument here. If a person can't pay his debt, even you lock him/her up, he/she still doesn't have the money to pay. The only way is to file a chapter 13 or 7. But the law won't easily let you be bankrupted. So, what's up? I think this act just outright stupid. Let those people get a real job, and work out a payment program to work this out, won't that be a better solution to lock people up? The state government still have to feed them on prison too, right? There is another solution for it.
4 people like this
17 responses
@Oldsix691418 (3872)
• China
13 Apr 11
I agree with you.In China there are such things,but it seems that if he or she still works and doesn't run away,the police won't arrest him or her unless someone has sued those persons for their debts and they really don't feel up to return any.
Among my colleagues there is such a woman,she has managed to borrow more than 600,000 yuan(rmb),now she has to continue "borrowing" to return her debts,but perhaps she has to get in prison some day.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
13 Apr 11
These are definately some Good thoughts here. I would say putting someone in jail just because they cannot pay off their debts, unless it is because of a Crime they have committed, this is stupid.
Too many times as the Economy gets even worse too many places are getting even harsher and less understanding and wanting their money. They take no time out to think about a situation and what if it was them, and most of the time especially when it is Medical Bills from a hospital they want their $$ now or send it to collections where they almost refuse any small type of payments as well.
What would be wrong with finding out what a person's real Financial situation is like at the moment, and be willing to work with them with some sort of payment plan that will work for them all? To think of the interest they never want to write off is unreal for sure as well. Makes you really wonder.
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
20 Apr 11
I have tried negotiating deals and sometimes I have no luck. My husband had a car repo over seven years ago and the credit bureaus will not take it off his credit report. He has not been bothered until yesterday and now they want a payment. We tried to call the company to set up a payment plan and they will not work with us at all. They want the full amount in three months. THere is no way we can pay it off. The medical people are bad as well because they want their money up front and we cannot afford that either.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
13 Apr 11
When i was younger i can remember my parents and grandparents talking about debtor's prison. I always thought it was something they were making up to scorn people who had huge debts they could not pay. I don't believe a debtor's prison is the answer to force people to pay off the debts that they owe. Finding a better finacial management solution that would satisfy both the debtor and the one they owe would just make more common sense. @randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
20 Apr 11
I am hoping that this is just another scare tactic. I am in debt and would hate to go to jail just because the economy has hit my husband and I badly. It is not our fault that the econoy is so bad and there are no jobs near where we live. I was an education major and cannot use my degree because the government keeps on cutting back education spending. My husband has an idiot for a boss who plays favorites and over pays one employee while the others get treated badly. I agree it is stupid to be locked up just because one is struggling financially.
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
27 May 11
Well I agree with you..I too think it's just stupid to lock debtors up. How will they earn money that way? What good would it do. Good grief, our prisons are already overcrowded with dangerous criminals and some want to crowd the jails even more??
There needs to be programs for debtors to get out of debt..but who could ever come up with them and who would run them? Our government certainly isn't very efficient.
@youless (112481)
• Guangzhou, China
13 Apr 11
I am not sure the real situation here. But I think it makes sense to go to jail if the debt can't be paid. Try to imagine if someone owes you money but one day he is unable to pay it back. What will you think? Especially this person still lives as usual.
I love China
@elmiko (6630)
• United States
13 Apr 11
that depends on the person. if they are being reckless and don't even think about the debt they are getting themselves into and don't seem to care then i think they should go to jail. each person should really be considered for their own unique situation and it just depends on the circumstances they got themselves into. if the politicians in dc can't coming to terms about an agreement then maybe they should all be in jail. i guess thats little harsh. just vote them out.
@tlb0822 (1410)
• United States
13 Apr 11
I think that it is going to cost the government more money to lock all those up who have passed due debts right now. I don't know of to many people out there who haven't gotten behind on things with continuous layoffs and the decline in the economy. A lot of times people just fall behind and as much as they try to catch up it can seem impossible. If this is true then there are going to be a lot of full prisons. To me it doesn't make sense to go to prison for having debts, why would the government pointlessly take parents away from their children all because they couldn't afford their bills. I think that there are other ways to work these situations out, they could deduct there debts from their tax return. I think that would be the best solution.
@supremesapien (19)
• United States
13 Apr 11
Its a big miss conception that prisoners cost more to house than they make
@Rainegurl (2156)
• Philippines
13 Apr 11
Hi, kingparker 
In my country, technically, nobody is imprisoned because of debt. However, there are debtors who go to jail because they have been found guilty of using deceit in acquiring the money or other things of value or if they misppropriate something that is not theirs. That is what we call Estafa.
I agree that debtors (who did not apply deceit) should not be imprisoned. There should be some sort of rehabilitation for them so that they can work and earn and, thus, pay their debts.
Cheers! 
In my country, technically, nobody is imprisoned because of debt. However, there are debtors who go to jail because they have been found guilty of using deceit in acquiring the money or other things of value or if they misppropriate something that is not theirs. That is what we call Estafa.
I agree that debtors (who did not apply deceit) should not be imprisoned. There should be some sort of rehabilitation for them so that they can work and earn and, thus, pay their debts.
Cheers! 
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
13 Apr 11
In some jails now, prisoners are asked to join handicraft. What they produce goes to the government. We have to make programs to help people repay their debt.
@dweebs_8000_j (885)
• Philippines
13 Apr 11
what the law provided by the State Government will be imposed...
That is the sad thing...
And I really don't know what are other options left available to avoid going to jail..
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
13 Apr 11
I think they should give these people work release while they are in prison to pay their debts back. I think that would be a good solution the neverending debt problem.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
13 Apr 11
Well with the way the economy is they are going to have a pretty full jail. How on earth will the government be able to afford the many they jail. If I understand correctly it takes $15,000 - $20,000 to feed and board a prisoner for a year. So not really thought of too clearly unless they find a program to board them cheaper??
@keishairvin (49)
• United States
13 Apr 11
I'm shaking reading this because I'm one of those people. I never thought I could go to jail for being poor. I have been temping from job to job and struggling to make my rent. When I get on my feet than I can afford to pay off my debt but for right now I'm focusing on keeping a roof over my families head. OMG.. this world is crazy!!!
