Federal prisoners will now pay more for their own incarceration

The US Prisons Bureau is updating rules for how much money federal prisoners must pay for their own housing, medical care, and other costs. This means prisoners will likely see a larger portion of any money they earn or receive go directly to the government.

The Inmate Financial Responsibility Program has existed for decades, but this update makes it easier for the government to collect money from prisoners. It shifts more of the financial burden of incarceration onto the incarcerated, even for basic necessities. This could reduce the already limited funds prisoners have for things like legal fees or supporting their families.