Forced laborers sue Missouri's debtors' prison
by Cory Doctorow from on (#R9RF)
If you're poor in Jackson, MO and you get a fine that you can't pay, the City of Jackson will sentence you to a "pay or stay" forced labor farm where you will work off your debts at $58/day literally shoveling shit; the alternative is to sit in an overcrowded, jail notorious for its violent guards and filthy conditions and pay down your fines at $25/day. (more")