Imagine you've just been released from prison in Florida. You have every intention of turning your life around. You plan to stay out of trouble, get a job, and follow the rules of your parole. Then, you find out you owe a six-figure bill.
In Florida—and most other states—inmates are charged for the costs of their time in prison. The practice, called "pay-to-stay," leaves many former offenders with staggering debt.
