National Public Radio’s report on the proliferation of criminal justice debt, conducted with the assistance of the Brennan Center and National Center for State Courts, continues to draw national attention.

Stephen Colbert highlighted the study, explaining, “If a defendant can’t pay a fee, they go to jail, where they’ll rack up more food and boarding fees that they can’t pay, and be penalized with more jail time — thus increasing their debt, which gives them even longer prison sentences.”

The Huffington Post and The American Prospect also referenced a 2010 Brennan Center report on criminal fees and fines:  “The combination of debt and poor job opportunities can lead recently released prisoners right back to prison — neither a cost-effective outcome for the state nor a desirable outcome for well, anyone.”