Does the Alleviation of Criminal Legal Debt End the Cycle of Punishment?

One common form of criminal punishment involves monetary sanctions, or legal financial obligations (LFOs). LFOs impact millions of people experiencing economic instability. Some evidence suggests that eliminating or reducing financial barriers can improve reintegration, but few studies have identified policies that can lessen the disparate impacts of LFOs. Sociologist Brittany Martin will investigate the effects of recent LFO policy reform in Rhode Island, which aims to alleviate court-related debt. She will analyze administrative data from the Rhode Island Criminal Courts and conduct interviews and participant observation for her study.