State sues prison inmate for rent

Pardon my french, but this is fuckin bullshit. Goddamn government is out of control worse than the people they lock up. 

Prisoner saves $11,000 -- but state wants it to cover jail stay


Kensley Hawkins is a deadbeat, according to the state of Illinois.


He owes $455,203.14 to cover the costs of his stay at the Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet. Hawkins has been in prison since Nov. 19, 1982. His jailer is also his debt collector.


Hawkins is fighting in court to stop the state from seizing about $11,000 in his bank account to partially satisfy the debt. The 60-year-old earned the money by working while he's been behind bars, making about $75 a month.


The issue of whether the state can repossess the meager wages paid to inmates will be determined by the Illinois Supreme Court, which will hold arguments in the Hawkins case Tuesday. It's the first time the court will address the issue, which also has social justice and public policy ramifications for Illinois.

Full story at link:

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/news/local/chibrknews-prisoner-saves-11000-but-state-wants-it-to-cover-jail-stay-20110315,0,1717236.story