This Black Friday, you'll probably notice the effects of inflation on price tags. What might not be so obvious though is its effect on the criminal legal system.
Each year, inflation makes the system more punitive – and that's not a good deal.
https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2020/06/10/felony-thresholds/
Each year, inflation makes the system more punitive – and that's not a good deal.
https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2020/06/10/felony-thresholds/
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But in many states, the dollar amount separating felony theft from misdemeanor theft has not been increased in YEARS, even though inflation makes the older laws more punitive.
To put this into perspective, according to a 1978 Sears catalog, one of the most expensive items listed is a luxurious washing machine for $259. Theft of it could land somebody with a felony charge.
Many of the 19 million people in the US who have ever been convicted of a felony are barred from certain jobs, government benefits, and voting.
If the US is serious about ending mass incarceration, updating felony theft statutes is one simple way to reduce the number of people serving time in prison.
Learn more 👇
https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2020/06/10/felony-thresholds/