The Stark Contrast: Social Security Income vs. Prison Costs 2024
Mom's Social Security Income: $10,800 VS. Average Cost of Inmate: $35,000
When you think about the cost of housing an inmate in a concrete box with metal bars compared to the amount a senior on Social Security gets, it’s startling. If your state can afford $35,000 per person in prison per year, surely, they could afford to pay more to our seniors.
This isn’t just numbers; it's your tax dollars at work. Yes, when we talk about tax dollars, we’re talking about your money. You should be concerned about where it's going, especially regarding retirement funds like Social Security. Everyone dreams of a comfortable retirement, maybe even some travel, but reality often hits hard. Social Security payouts are often below minimum wage levels, making those dreams seem unreachable.
The Cost Breakdown by State
Here's a look at the cost to house one prisoner per year, state by state:
State | Cost per Inmate (USD) |
Massachusetts | $307,468 |
Vermont | $134,000 |
New Jersey | $133,000 |
California | $128,000 |
Maine | $117,000 |
Rhode Island | $117,000 |
New York | $116,000 |
Maryland | $114,000 |
New Mexico | $113,000 |
Washington | $108,000 |
Connecticut | $103,000 |
Alaska | $93,000 |
Delaware | $91,000 |
Nebraska | $88,000 |
North Dakota | $84,000 |
West Virginia | $82,000 |
Minnesota | $80,000 |
Oregon | $79,000 |
Colorado | $76,000 |
Wyoming | $75,000 |
Wisconsin | $74,000 |
Michigan | $61,300 |
New Hampshire | $55,030 |
Iowa | $54,940 |
Illinois | $54,040 |
Maryland | $53,920 |
North Carolina | $52,880 |
Tennessee | $51,800 |
West Virginia | $46,940 |
Ohio | $42,560 |
Virginia | $40,110 |
Idaho | $37,850 |
Kentucky | $34,840 |
South Carolina | $34,360 |
Missouri | $34,100 |
Arkansas | $33,390 |
South Dakota | $33,360 |
Indiana | $31,690 |
Arizona | $30,620 |
Florida | $29,620 |
Oklahoma | $28,520 |
Nevada | $28,370 |
Louisiana | $26,810 |
Georgia | $25,970 |
Texas | $25,900 |
Kansas | $24,340 |
Alabama | $23,800 |
Mississippi | $18,410 |
The Real Cost
Does it really cost $35,000 to house one person in prison for a year? If that's what states are spending, then it only seems fair to question if we could reallocate some of that money to provide our seniors with a more dignified living standard.
When you get old, you’ll want to be taken care of too. Most people plan on retiring and enjoying their golden years, but with Social Security paying so little, those dreams often vanish. As a society, we need to ensure that everyone can live with dignity, from the youngest to the oldest, whether they're behind bars or enjoying their retirement.
Isn't it time we reassess our priorities and ensure that our seniors, who’ve contributed so much, receive the care they deserve?
Reflect on these points and let’s continue advocating for a fairer allocation of our resources. If you have thoughts or ideas on this topic, share them! Together, we can make a difference.
In our journey through life, we often seek guidance and wisdom beyond our own understanding. St. Mykul’s prayer is a beautiful expression of this desire, a heartfelt plea for divine intervention and alignment with Jehovah’s will. It serves as a reminder of the profound connection we can cultivate with the divine, allowing us to become vessels of His wisdom and love.
St. Mykul’s prayer:
“I pray for Jehovah to speak through me all the time, and I pray for Jehovah to remove all my thoughts, and implant His thoughts all the time, as I do not even want my thoughts.”
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