From 1990 to 2004, the rate of people on probation who were sent back to jail for non-compliance grew by 50 percent.
One of the most chilling reasons for being sent back to prison is failure to pay a fine or court or supervision fees.
Finding a job that pays enough to make payments on court fines is difficult after incarceration, especially since public housing and other services are denied to those convicted felons. This challenge is even greater for released inmates who are mentally ill, physically disabled, have a history of substance abuse, or have few social support systems.