Bill Overview
Title: Pay Victims Not Prisoners Act
Description: This bill prohibits payment of any amount of the 2021 recovery rebate to federal prisoners convicted of a crime or confined due to insanity or a finding that the prisoner is a sexually dangerous person or a sexual predator. The bill requires (1) the disclosure of certain prisoner tax return information to the Department of Justice for purposes of making restitution to crime victims, and (2) the payment of judgments issued against prisoners using rebate amounts.
Sponsors: Rep. Budd, Ted [R-NC-13]
Target Audience
Population: Federal prisoners ineligible for the 2021 recovery rebate due to this bill
Estimated Size: 150000
- The legislation targets individuals who are federal prisoners as of the 2021 recovery rebate period.
- Only prisoners who have been convicted of a crime, or are confined due to being deemed sexually dangerous or a sexual predator, are affected.
- The bill impacts the distribution of funds that these prisoners might otherwise receive as part of a federal rebate.
- Indirectly, victims of crimes committed by these prisoners will be impacted as they may receive restitution from these funds instead.
- The bill only applies to US federal prisoners, not to state or local prisoners.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy includes federally incarcerated individuals, particularly around 150,000 people who meet criteria specified in the policy.
- The policy reallocates funds that would otherwise be distributed as recovery rebates to these prisoners towards compensating victims of their crimes.
- Overall societal cost savings from reallocating funds might be appreciated, but the impact on individuals' self-reported wellbeing will vary based on direct effects of the loss of funds and possible victim compensation received.
- Considering these aspects can show us the diverse impact across different social groups including non-affected citizens, victims who might benefit, and prisoners who stand to lose out.
Simulated Interviews
Federal prisoner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand that victims need support but limiting our access to funds without alternatives makes rehabilitation more difficult.
- It feels like we're always the target for cuts even when trying to recover and reintegrate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
Victim's Advocate (Chicago, IL)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Redirecting resources to victims is positive but the amount available is limited.
- More holistic approaches for victim support are needed beyond financial compensation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Federal prisoner (Minneapolis, MN)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Whenever they cut back on prisoner benefits, it feels like a punishment beyond the sentence.
- It's essential for maintaining some quality of life and planning for post-release.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 2 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
Retired teacher (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I had lost hope of seeing any restitution ever being paid.
- This law finally allows me to see a possibility for some financial justice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Federal prisoner (Birmingham, AL)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Assistance from the rebate might have helped with family support, which is now less feasible.
- It feels like yet another barrier to reintegration once released.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Small business owner (Houston, TX)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Redirecting funds as suggested is crucial for providing victims some support.
- Also, it's essential to fund programs that prepare prisoners for their return to society.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Law student (New York, NY)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This legislation is a mixed bag — though it addresses some victim concerns, it unfairly lumps all prisoners together.
- A more nuanced approach could better balance support with the need for justice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Retired federal judge (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Victims deserve every opportunity for compensation, but these funds are a mere patch on a greater systemic issue.
- Redirecting these rebates is a start, but broader policy changes are needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Social worker (Miami, FL)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Anything that aids victims is welcome, though we must ensure these funds truly reach them.
- There are many complex needs potentially unmet by just financial recompense alone.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Software engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems like a small step but it overshadows larger systemic issues needing addressing.
- I believe in both victim support and constructive rehabilitation for prisoners.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill shifts resources from specific federal prisoners to crime victims, potentially affecting the prisoners' ability to make other payments necessary for their rehabilitation.
- The administrative requirements to disclose prisoner tax information may incur additional costs.
- Long-term impacts on recidivism rates due to this policy are uncertain.