Let me get this straight. A private company is entrusted with the power to send citizens to jail? That has to be the dumbest thing I've heard in a good long while. It's crap, and it shouldn't exist.

Vice, thanks for giving a voice to these exploited poor people, mainstream media certainly won't cover it.

The sad part about the plasma donation part, I used to work at a plasma center, and I can tell you first hand that 90% of the people coming through that door were there because they couldn't make ends meet. They would get 80 dollars a week for 2 donations. These same companies are also in the business of exploiting poor people because each bottle of plasma sells for at least 30 times what they paid the donor. And to make matters worse, they switched to a pre-paid debit card payment where donors could only take specific amounts of money off of it, and if they didn't get it all off in a certain amount of time, it's gone, to the banking system and I'm sure a percentage back to the plasma company. And he's right, donating takes a LOT out of you, roughly a quarter of your bodies hydration. 🤔😠 We as a people have to stand up against this insanity. Don't see colors see faces, don't see bias news reports see humans. We all need the same thing, let us try and share in that experience, not divide amongst ourselves, for that is what they want.

selling blood to pay un-accounted debts? really?... greed and power is what drives the american government.

they need to ban private prisons and probation companies

I paid over 11 thousand. Owed 500 paid it & completely owed nothing and probation had already ended. Sent to jail anyhow after last payment. I do believe this for profit organizations should be abolished.

Land of the free, home of the brave... If there's enough 0's in your account that is.

I live in Augusta Georgia and Tom Barrett and I have been friends for nearly 30 years. I too was on probation with sentinel at one time for misdemeanor traffic charges and they are fucking insane. I’m thankful that in 2009 I was able to pay a lump sum of $2000 and be done with those idiots. I haven’t seen Tom in awhile now but I saw his two sons in March at a funeral of a mutual friend of ours and I think he’s ok but probably still struggling his way through life. I can’t believe I ran across this video so random like. I’m going to do my best to get in touch with him.

fuck man having to sell your own blood to afford the payments on a drinking in public fine, thats fucked up

8:58 - So they're literally taking blood money as payments?

"It's expensive to be poor in this country." Nail on the head there.

This is my city. Thank you guys for making this documentary Sentinel has since been kicked out and now that the city has taken over the misdemeanor probation services it's been awesome. I no longer feel dread and disparity everyday

One of the most profound things I have ever heard came from one of my friends. He said "It's expensive being poor". That is correct.

I live in nyc and I've never heard of people having to pay whilst on probation. That's crazy.

Also, when a company says they can't talk to the press and have had problems with the press in the past, then that shows they are on the wrong side of the issue. That means that they know they are bad actors, they know what there doing is immoral, and they know to cower away from any sort of accountability from the press. It's also funny that it's the press that wants to investigate this and not the government

Vice should make a video about the topic of debtors prison and child support.

excellent documentary

There is no limit to the depravity if the human species. The people who run the justice system are a perfect example.

I am 45 years old , when I was a kid there was a big paranoia about Communism in popular culture and in our school lessons . They told us that in Russia the cops were corrupt , the courts were unjust and always only for law enforcement , citizens would be enlisted to spy on neighbors because of bullshit lies told to them from cops , people murdered by the government....and now look.....wake up America , stop worrying over terrorists from other countries and realize we are rotting from the inside !!!!

They use to call us Citizens, now tax payers, next it's money makers

It's a crime to be poor in America. Today I'm ashamed of being an American.

I don't understand how anyone could be so blind to how dirty and wrong the American judicial system is. No private company should b allowed to govern a life.

sucking the blood right out of the people literally

The USA is a terrible place what a horrible system- the government that sets this up omg shame on you

I've been there. Suddenly in the great recession I was broke. I lost my job and the divorce didn't help. Suddenly I couldn't afford a lawyer or the fees. I got into this cycle. I was 40 years old and never had issues before, drove new cars and lived in a nice house. You realize that this system is a trap. I couldn't get out. The people employed by the state to collect, are very hostile and very unforgiving, and only know how to make threats even when you are being reasonable and cooperating. In the end I eventually cashed in part of my 401k retirement and paid the lawyers and the penalties to escape, and avoid going to jail which would have meant unemployment. I was unemployed for 11 months. I had a steady decent job before and since. This cost tens of thousands of dollars. I have recovered, but my retirement is small and I still owe back taxes from the cash out. This could happen to anyone if the right circumstances happen in your life. It's scheme meant to trap you when you can least afford it. You might think you are above this but you aren't if the right circumstances occur you will be caught in this hamster wheel of the state.

That poor man has to give his fucking blood to pay his fines, that is truly heartbreaking.

It's expensive to be poor. And cheaper to be rich.

My oldest Son is Autistic and suffers from other mental disabilities as well. Last year he was on the school bus being transported to his Emotionally Impaired classroom when another Emotionally Impaired female student offered him liquor. My Son took a sip and immediately upon arriving at school was pulled out of class and told to give a breathalyzer test to test his blood alcohol content. He tested 0.00! Not too long after this incident we received a court date in the mail. I took him to his court hearing, advised him to plead not guilty in which he was so confused by the Judges words that he literally plead to EVERYTHING the Judge informed him he could plead to as he did NOT understand a word of what the Judge was saying. We left the hearing with a new court date. I took him to the 2nd court hearing where he was called out of where we were waiting in the hallway in front of the Judge's chambers and into the Prosecuting Attorney's Office. The PA said that he recommended my Son take a guilty plea and with that guilty plea.......IF he came back in 6 months and had NOT had ANY additional charges brought against him that he could have it removed from his record. I advised my Son to just plea guilty at this point because when I brought up the negative breathalyzer test the PA said "we have it on camera so he's going to be charged as guilty IF he does NOT enter a guilty plea" I begged the PA to ask the Judge to consider the students involved's mental disabilities and the fact that they were on a special education bus being transported to an emotionally impaired classroom. The PA wouldn't entertain my plea so this is why I advised my Son to enter a guilty plea and we'd pay the fine and be on with our lives.......... IF ONLY IT WERE THAT SIMPLE!!!! The Judge STILL did the stupid come back in 6 months and IF you haven't received ANY additional charges......it will be taken off of your record and PAY A $350.00 FINE!!! I STILL CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS LEGAL!!!!!!!!! Now where will my Emotionally Impaired Son find $350.00????????? His rent is $450, he splits his cable with 2 roommates making his cable, internet & phone bill just $68.00, I give him $20 per week spending $ and that's almost his entire social security check! And Lord forbid my Son NEED something else!!! I HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT SOMETHING ELSE!!!!!! So my Son did NOT have his entire fine paid off at the 6 month mark EVEN THOUGH HE GAVE THE CORTA ALL OF HIS $ THAT HE RECEIVED FROM HIS LOVED 1's FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL IN ORDER TO BE FREE!!!!!! IT STILL WAS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE $350.00 HE NOW OWES THE COURTS!!!!!!' So.......I paid extra on his rent EVERY MONTH and next month/December of 2017 I will pay off the remainder of his fines in order for my Son's now warrant to be dismissed........... THIS IS A DISGRACE AND THE COURTS ARE ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL AS ALMOST ALL OF THE PEOPLE FORCED TO WAIT IN LINE ON THE 3rd OF EVERY MONTH TO PAY THESE FINES RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY!!!!!!!!!!!!! It seems morally wrong!!!!

Blood suckers and blood money, literally. Where is our land of the free and home of the brave?

why can't these places get attacked rather than some restaurants, movie theaters, and clubs.

We need to shut these nefarious programs down. This seems like a human rights violation from my point of view.

That's nuts, a fine should be based on income and severity of offense, like lots of civilized countries do.

VICE meets Thomas Barrett, a formerly homeless man who paid thousands in probation fees over the theft of a two-dollar can of beer. Watch Part 1 here: bit.ly/2brPAnI *WATCH NEXT*: _Inside America's For-Profit Bail System_ - bit.ly/2bvBkus

I am a strong conservative and I will say this is fucked up. This Shouldn't be happening in America.

damn. paying for having no money? land of the free huh

America: Sending people to jail for speeding tickets while they have trillions of dollars on military spendings that they don't even need.

How is this shit not Criminal? I just don't understand how elected officials don't take action against corruption like this unless you tell them to do so. What are we putting you in office for if you're going to let courts and private companies abuse the system?

I never heard anywhere that ppl get thrown into prison for being poor, the USA is fucked

And my family wonders why I left Atlanta as soon as I could. You think this is bad, check out some of the rest.

Poor people are victimized twice... First by poverty if that isn't already enough.

Ive never been in trouble with the law though I have been poor from declining health. The poorer you get, the more vulnerable you become to a temrndously greedy system. Thanks for covering this story. Thanks to those helping to fight such greed. It shouldn't be. The poor suffer enough and need a break to have a chance to get ahead. Keep fighting the fight and refuse to allow this bullshit.

The U S government has made it against the law to be poor ! And has no problem locking you up for that!

The reporting y’all do is so important. Really, thank you.

What does hatefully honest mean? Never heard that before

They company called Sentinel....look up the definition and it explains who and how the company work

This so unethical America goes around the world to spread freedom while their citizens are actually looked up lol

wow-TYVM VICE for sharing this - astounding

I love this 2 part series Vice. I never knew there were problems like this in America. It's sad to see people who struggle get beat down the most. Stay strong.

Now you see why Kaepernick refuses to stand for the flag. it has nothing to do with the Troops and the Military forces who serve and have served, bleed, and died for this country. get that out of your head and open your mind and your eyes. it's about this racist law enforcement and judicial system that prays on the poor minorities of this country.

Literally taking your BLOOD from you sick vampires.

Completely agree .... Our whole Justice system is based on money if you pay for a lawyer and fines your Good but they target the poor who cant pay the fines or afford a lawyer so they can incarcerate them and collect money from the state for housing them. I feel we need Major Criminal Reform!

PRIVATIZED PROBATION? wtf?

Privatized prisons and jails -- Thank you Clintons and your Omnibus Crime Bill.

Once your caught in the system it is set up so that most will fail to get out and be able to move on with their lives. Modern day slavery.

I watch the jail rosters every day, my son is in one and all of the young adults are just going from jail to jail, fines and fees, and counseling and drug tests and on and on with so many committing suicide now

The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer. America's mantra.

and donating plasma sucks.. from wut i hear, they make 1000 per bottle of plasma and only pay the doners 50 bucks... its fucked up

Thank-you Sentinel lady, for displaying your personality flaws that so many "playing a part" in the "justice" system seem to have. In my experience, mostly hostile people blinded by an imaginary seat of importance.

a pharmacist got addicted to pills... wow, the irony

It's really bad in Idaho

ive lived this sht Florida courts are jus as profit hungry. robbing the ppl to feed a corrupt judicial system

This is crazy

Interviewing people outside Sentinel probation is a beautiful move...well done

So unconstitutional and needs to be challenged in the Supreme Court

RESEARCH your REPRESENTITIVES. SEE YOU ALL AT THE BALLOT BOX. DONT FORGET: you also vote everytime you spend. spend wisely, dont fund the evil.

America the land of the free as long as you have money its free

"Well I guess I would sell my plasma" -Ricky from trailer park boys

Regulations, Codes, Statutes, and other rules which try to tell people how to live are the root of the problem. If you are not hurting someone or taking their possessions no crime has been committed. Probation offices, public or private, are downstream of the issue. No one should be harassed by government for these issues in the first place. If we want freedom we must push back on the government that wants to run our lives and steal our livelihood by supporting itself with this racket. Abolish the rules or better yet 95-99% of government and the problem will take care of itself.

if they did that to me I would slash everyone of there tires

2 words that will sit with me forever: Blood money. That's all you need to ever know

We can do things about these people. Sue them. And Yes! the RICO statute can be used. So can other Federal Laws.

This system is horrible. They're running it like the mafia. The messed up part about it is they know it, and there's nothing you can do about but keep paying them so you can stay out of jail. Very, very, sad.

Literally almost everything is "for profit"

This is illegal. Our COUNTRY is run by Banks & Big Corporations. Not our ppl.

I like that, "they wouldn't answer our calls, so we kicked down the door to their office" lol you guys should go directly to the offices more.

That man who went homeless... that was very emotional, i could tell he went through something horrible

Police motto: To Prosecute and Enslave. Corruption at it's Finest.

"can't talk to the press" translation - we know we're doing something morally corrupt.

Thank God for your honesty! Thank you for sharing your story! I hope you are better:'(

$1400 on original $200?? 1YR probation for 1BEER FORCED TO GIVE BLOOD! If I would’ve grew up in one of these I would’ve been in prison. 🙀

How IN GOD'S NAME is this privatization and.... Just this entire shit. I had no idea. I am sickened.

7:06 Blood money this is so sad.

I am from the UK and wow! This is disturbing!

I can't pay here's my blood and for next months payment here's my first born! What a joke we have become in America...

Blood banks are freakin vampires...

This is sick! These people are evil!

THANK YOU VICE

Wow. I'm appalled. How is this even possible

When you bully the poor a lot there's always an uprising.

Start suing the DMV next for forcing driver's licenses on travelers on a private journey not engaged in transportation..........

This poor guy, this breaks my heart

This man is literally giving a blood sacrifice to a contractor hired by his local Government to extort poor people. WOW.

This makes me sick to my fucking stomach.

A literal example of how the corrupt justice system sucks the blood out of the poor to extract a fee. Murica, bringing Democracy to a country near you soon.......

"To be hatefully honest"... Man forget these demons.

“To be hatefully honest …” that’s a new one. Lol

It is INSANE that this is legal! Total BULLSH#T!!!

go chip the paint off of the sentinel building, place a couple of grill pitts around it and call the cops and make sure they ass gets fined too

I didn t even realize this was Vice

Oh man. This man is selling his plasma, its just so sad. I feel so sad for him