The Expanding World of Poverty Capitalism

[n2doc]

In Orange County, Calif., the probation department’s “supervised electronic confinement program,” which monitors the movements of low-risk offenders, has been outsourced to a private company, Sentinel Offender Services. The company, by its own account, oversees case management, including breath alcohol and drug-testing services, “all at no cost to county taxpayers.”

Sentinel makes its money by getting the offenders on probation to pay for the company’s services. Charges can range from $35 to $100 a month.

The company boasts of having contracts with more than 200 government agencies, and it takes pride in the “development of offender funded programs where any of our services can be provided at no cost to the agency.”

Sentinel is a part of the expanding universe of poverty capitalism. In this unique sector of the economy, costs of essential government services are shifted to the poor.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/27/opinion/thomas-edsall-the-expanding-world-of-poverty-capitalism.html

[99th_Monkey]

1. Rather like those ridiculous pay-phone charges for inmates in prisons

disgustingly predatory private vultures prey on the poor in prisons. ew.

[TBF]

2. This kind of predatory behavior may not be illegal -

but it sure is disgusting.

[dickthegrouch]

3. I think it is illegal

It could be construed as strong-arm robbery or demanding money with menaces.
If you don't pay up, you are sent to jail. Unless paying for those services is a specific part of the sentence, I can't see any justification for demanding payment.

[jeff47]

6. They do your last sentence.

A condition of their probation is paying for these services.

[Wella]

4. Whenever you pull the private sector into public functions, there are issues

This issue, however, seems to be larger than most. There seems to be an incentive for Sentinel to support the kind of policing that would make them money. This might mean getting higher risk offenders designated "low risk" or getting minor misdemeanors elevated to a "low risk" level of crime. Watch Sentinel's lobbyists.

[Dont call me Shirley]

5. That's happening in Albuquerque. It's absolutely disgusting

But the rich must have industries for their little brats to own when they get out of their Ivy League business school.

[Enthusiast]

7. Kicked and recommended!

Thank you, n2doc.

"Sentinel is a part of the expanding universe of poverty capitalism. In this unique sector of the economy, costs of essential government services are shifted to the poor."

[WillyT]

8. K & R !!!

[pansypoo53219]

9. profit pigs of crapitalism.

squeezing the last drop out of the poor for the top.