Private probation company once called 'judicially sanctioned extortion racket' leaving Alabama
Source: Alabama Media Group
Judicial Correction Services Inc., a company that once was criticized by a judge as helping Harpersville run a "debtors prison" and "judicially sanctioned extortion racket," is pulling up stakes in Alabama after dozens of towns cancelled contracts with the company around the state.
JCS issued a brief statement Monday that it was ceasing operations in Alabama.
... "We're glad this company is no longer operating in the state," said Sam Brooke, deputy legal director at the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The SPLC in June had sent letters to officials in 106 towns and cities around Alabama urging them to end their contracts with JCS. The SPLC's letter had warned the municipalities that their contracts with JCS were illegal and that tactics used by JCS to collect fines can amount to extortion. As of Monday 80 cities had cut cancelled contracts with JCS and other private probation companies in the state, according to the SPLC.
Read more: http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/10/good_riddance_company_that_ran.html