Fines, Fees, and Child Support Payments

The Reentry Policy Council of the Council of State Governments has been working with states to improve the assessment and collection of court ordered fines, fees and child support payments. As states struggle to operate with lower revenues in the current fiscal crisis many are increasing their efforts to collect court ordered fines and fees. In some states jail is increasingly being used to punish delinquent litigants, many of whom are poor. For persons returning from prison or jail failure to pay parole/probation fees, child support arrears or fines can lead to further incarceration.