The Connecticut Mirror published an investigation last month into the state’s practice of assessing a daily fee for every day a person spends in prison and then collecting on that debt in certain situations — sometimes over a decade after the person’s release.

Connecticut charges one of the highest per-day rates in the country; that rate was $347 per day for 2022-23.

State law allows officials to charge formerly or currently incarcerated people for the cost of their room and board when they receive or give an inheritance, in certain lawsuit settlements or if they win the lottery.

This practice, which has its roots in a 1995 law, has led some people to lose their homes or opportunities at further education or starting a business. It also makes it hard for people to build intergenerational wealth. Hundreds of people every year receive these bills, and most didn’t know they owed money.

After CT Mirror’s story published, some lawmakers called for changes or a repeal to this law. Here’s what you need to know about prison debt.

How is the debt collected and what happens to the money?

The Connecticut Comptroller’s Office works with the Department of Correction to calculate the total cost of running the prison system, then divides that cost up between the people who were incarcerated on a given day to determine the per-diem cost.

The Department of Administrative Services then monitors probate court filings to see whether people involved in inheritance cases have been to prison. If they have, the state sends its bill in the form of a lien on the inheritance.

Changes to the law in recent years have put limits on what the state can collect — it has to leave people with at least $50,000 — and prohibit collection on lawsuit cases unless the plaintiff was convicted of certain murder or sexual assault charges.

The money is taken directly out of the inheritance. In some cases, this requires selling an inherited home or property. That money then goes into the state’s General Fund. The state collects an average of $3.3 million per year from prison debt.

What does the state say about this?

The Department of Administrative Services says it is following the direction of the Department of Correction and has no ability to waive or adjust debts. In turn, the Department of Correction said collecting the money was the job of the Department of Administrative Services.

Lawmakers who were initially part of passing the legislation didn’t return CT Mirror’s requests for comment or declined to answer questions.

What do other states do?

Other states charge much less than Connecticut, and most don’t collect the full cost of incarceration. Many take money from inmates’ paychecks while they are incarcerated and don’t collect at all after they are released.

Some states have begun to repeal these laws, saying it’s not practical to collect money and that it makes it harder for people to reintegrate into society after their prison stay if they have this debt.

What are lawmakers planning to do?

It’s not yet clear, although both Democrats and Republicans said they want to take another look at the law in the 2027 legislative session, which begins in January. Some said they want to repeal the law entirely, a proposal that was considered in 2022 but failed to move forward.

Others would rather find ways to ensure people don’t lose their homes or make it easier for people to argue for a waiver due to their financial status. Gov. Ned Lamont has said he’d support changes to the law, but still wants to charge wealthy people convicted of crimes for their prison stays.

“Maybe if it’s Gordon Gekko or some Wall Street titan, yeah, I think they should contribute to the cost of their incarceration. But I think for the other 90% of people, I want to make sure when they’ve served their time, they get back out, they’re not stuck with an incredible burden that is impossible for them to pay off,” Lamont said.

CT Mirror reporter Andrew Brown contributed to this story.