Although debtor prisons were outlawed in 1830, more than a third of US prisons allow people to be jailed for failing to pay debts or bills. Recently a breast cancer survivor was arrested and served time for failing to pay a medical bill. Under the charges those arrested aren't serving time for "failing to pay debts," but for failing to respond appropriately to their collection agency or courts and are held in contempt of court. A loophole like this, while now under criticism, is a danger to American rights in society. Although getting money back is a demanding issue for collection agencies, the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to imprison those too poor to pay their debts. An issue like this should be put to an immediate stop.

Alan Sheirter. Jailed for $280- The Return of Debtors Prisons. finance.yahoo.com. 2012. 26 April 2012.http://finance.yahoo.com/news/jailed-for--280--the-return-of-debtors--prisons.html