21st century 1st-world slavery. Only in the U.S.
Either way, critics say the lawsuits make it harder for paroled prisoners to get back on their feet, defeating the department’s goals of rehabilitation and cutting recidivism. Because financial stability and a job are key to not returning to prison, taking away an inmate’s financial safety net increases the odds they return to crime or, at least, be dependent on taxpayers, as Melton was when he went on food stamps. Lawmakers around the country, and even President Barack Obama, have focused recently on such re-entry issues.
In a few cases the lawsuits seem punitive, if not retaliatory, to inmates, and could have a chilling effect on the incarcerated asserting their constitutional rights. After one inmate received $50,000 to settle a lawsuit against the department for failure to properly treat his cancer, the department turned around and sued the inmate for nearly $175,000 — even though the department already had agreed in writing not to try to claw back the settlement money.