LFOs perpetuate discrimination

As a nation and a state we have continued to create and uphold policy and practice that perpetuate systemic discrimination against minority individuals and families living in poverty. One of the many ways this inequality is demonstrated is within the criminal justice system.

Most anyone serving jail time has cost and fines to their name. These are called legal financial obligations. The issue I want to present is not the fines they owe, because these fines are put toward their room and board and pay for their court costs. The issue I want to address is the 12 percent tax added on to the LFO they were given at sentencing.

Washington state has the second highest interest rate attached to individuals LFOs, behind Texas at 18 percent. While incarcerated, individuals accrue an outrageous amount more in debt than their original fee and are unable to pay the amount. The debt accrued may be related to recidivism as members are put in jail if they cannot pay their fines.

Marianne Johnson

Cheney