Josh Page
@joshpage.bsky.social
Sociology prof. at Univ. of Minnesota. Law, Criminal Punishment, Politics, and Labor. New book: Legal Plunder: The Predatory Dimensions of Criminal Justice.
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Josh Page
@joshpage.bsky.social
· Jul 8
It's hard to believe, but today is the day -- the release date for Legal Plunder: The Predatory Dimensions of Criminal Justice, a book that @joshpage.bsky.social and I have been working on for most of the past decade. If you’d like to check it out, you can get 30% off by entering the code UCPNEW.
Legal Plunder
A searing, historically rich account of how US policing and punishment have been retrofitted over the last four decades to extract public and private revenues from America’s poorest and most vulnerabl...
press.uchicago.edu
Legal Plunder: The Predatory Dimensions of Criminal Justice, my book w/ @joesoss.bsky.social, is now available. 30% off through @uchicagopress.bsky.social (see below). Look out for info about book-related events beginning in late-August.
Reposted by Josh Page
So cool! Prince *loved* libraries. For example, this is one donation he made from his charity a few days after 9/11 to save the Louisville Free Public Library, the first library in the community to serve African Americans.
November 9, 2025 at 12:00 AM
So cool! Prince *loved* libraries. For example, this is one donation he made from his charity a few days after 9/11 to save the Louisville Free Public Library, the first library in the community to serve African Americans.
Reposted by Josh Page
Reposted by Josh Page
The Flex Loan, a new type of payday loan pioneered by Advance Financial in Tennessee, allows residents to borrow up to $4,000 at a 279.5% interest rate.
It has burdened low-income borrowers while generating huge profits for lenders.
(Published May with @tennesseelookout.com)
It has burdened low-income borrowers while generating huge profits for lenders.
(Published May with @tennesseelookout.com)
This Lender Said Its Loans Would Help Tennesseans. It Has Sued More Than 110,000 of Them.
The Flex Loan, a type of payday loan pioneered by Advance Financial, has burdened low-income borrowers while generating huge profits for lenders. Tennessee lawmakers declined to rein in the lending bu...
www.propublica.org
November 8, 2025 at 12:30 AM
The Flex Loan, a new type of payday loan pioneered by Advance Financial in Tennessee, allows residents to borrow up to $4,000 at a 279.5% interest rate.
It has burdened low-income borrowers while generating huge profits for lenders.
(Published May with @tennesseelookout.com)
It has burdened low-income borrowers while generating huge profits for lenders.
(Published May with @tennesseelookout.com)
Reposted by Josh Page
This has not gotten much attention, but it should.
Virginia under Youngkin returned to an insanely harsh system where people convicted of any felony lose their voting rights FOR LIFE.
Dems' win this week mean they'll get to advance a constitutional amendment to end lifetime disenfranchisement.
Virginia under Youngkin returned to an insanely harsh system where people convicted of any felony lose their voting rights FOR LIFE.
Dems' win this week mean they'll get to advance a constitutional amendment to end lifetime disenfranchisement.
November 7, 2025 at 8:59 PM
This has not gotten much attention, but it should.
Virginia under Youngkin returned to an insanely harsh system where people convicted of any felony lose their voting rights FOR LIFE.
Dems' win this week mean they'll get to advance a constitutional amendment to end lifetime disenfranchisement.
Virginia under Youngkin returned to an insanely harsh system where people convicted of any felony lose their voting rights FOR LIFE.
Dems' win this week mean they'll get to advance a constitutional amendment to end lifetime disenfranchisement.
Reposted by Josh Page
I wrote for @slate.com about a legendary (and violent) Tennessee sheriff who more likely than not murdered his wife and the people who want to keep him on a pedestal.
slate.com/news-and-pol...
slate.com/news-and-pol...
Her Husband Claimed She Was Murdered by the Mob. Hollywood Made a Hit Film About It. The Truth Was Far Darker.
A mythical sheriff, a murder—and a Tennessee town that wants none of it.
slate.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I wrote for @slate.com about a legendary (and violent) Tennessee sheriff who more likely than not murdered his wife and the people who want to keep him on a pedestal.
slate.com/news-and-pol...
slate.com/news-and-pol...
Reposted by Josh Page
How and why did police in liberal democracies become militarized? Drawing on colonial history, our video of the week shows how methods honed during empire were imported into domestic policing through an “imperial boomerang.”
Feat. @juliango.bsky.social at @aissr.bsky.social
buff.ly/pFAv0pr
Feat. @juliango.bsky.social at @aissr.bsky.social
buff.ly/pFAv0pr
October 31, 2025 at 12:01 PM
How and why did police in liberal democracies become militarized? Drawing on colonial history, our video of the week shows how methods honed during empire were imported into domestic policing through an “imperial boomerang.”
Feat. @juliango.bsky.social at @aissr.bsky.social
buff.ly/pFAv0pr
Feat. @juliango.bsky.social at @aissr.bsky.social
buff.ly/pFAv0pr
Reposted by Josh Page
"The notices state that “Payment in full is due now” & list an array of potential consequences for failure to pay, including collection litigation & negative impacts on their immigration cases. Fines that aren’t paid in full will accrue interest."
Children in detention can't work. And are CHILDREN.
Children in detention can't work. And are CHILDREN.
DHS Is Billing Unaccompanied Immigrant Kids $5,000
The Trump administration is slapping teenagers in federal custody with fees for crossing the border under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
theintercept.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:47 PM
"The notices state that “Payment in full is due now” & list an array of potential consequences for failure to pay, including collection litigation & negative impacts on their immigration cases. Fines that aren’t paid in full will accrue interest."
Children in detention can't work. And are CHILDREN.
Children in detention can't work. And are CHILDREN.
Reposted by Josh Page
I think Houston might actually have outdone NYC in terms of creativity in its puppy Halloween costume contest.
October 31, 2025 at 2:12 AM
I think Houston might actually have outdone NYC in terms of creativity in its puppy Halloween costume contest.
Reposted by Josh Page
It’s worth noting that in the few months when the 2024 rules were active, most facilities & providers successfully implemented the rates without issue, saving incarcerated people and their families millions of dollars.
October 30, 2025 at 6:14 PM
It’s worth noting that in the few months when the 2024 rules were active, most facilities & providers successfully implemented the rates without issue, saving incarcerated people and their families millions of dollars.
Reposted by Josh Page
🚨NEW: The FCC has voted to raise calling rates for incarcerated people – a move that bends to the will of telecomm companies, jails and prisons, while saddling poor families with higher costs.
Now, prices could hike as much as 83% 🧵
Now, prices could hike as much as 83% 🧵
October 30, 2025 at 6:14 PM
🚨NEW: The FCC has voted to raise calling rates for incarcerated people – a move that bends to the will of telecomm companies, jails and prisons, while saddling poor families with higher costs.
Now, prices could hike as much as 83% 🧵
Now, prices could hike as much as 83% 🧵
Reposted by Josh Page
Just incredibly, unnecessarily cruel. And I’d be shocked if there wasn’t wanton corruption going on here, too.
It literally took decades of advocacy to pass these reforms, which would have prevented prison phone and teleconferencing companies from ripping off inmates and their families to the tune of hundreds of millions annually
F.C.C. Changes Course on the Price of Prisoners’ Phone Calls
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Just incredibly, unnecessarily cruel. And I’d be shocked if there wasn’t wanton corruption going on here, too.
Reposted by Josh Page
Does spending thousands on gun range memberships or fitness trackers for jail staff really sound like it benefits the “general welfare” of incarcerated people?
Prisons & jails across the US are abusing “inmate welfare funds” – and getting away with it:
Prisons & jails across the US are abusing “inmate welfare funds” – and getting away with it:
October 28, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Does spending thousands on gun range memberships or fitness trackers for jail staff really sound like it benefits the “general welfare” of incarcerated people?
Prisons & jails across the US are abusing “inmate welfare funds” – and getting away with it:
Prisons & jails across the US are abusing “inmate welfare funds” – and getting away with it:
Reposted by Josh Page
stellan skarsgård seems like a good dude
October 27, 2025 at 11:48 PM
stellan skarsgård seems like a good dude
Reposted by Josh Page
Not only does Iowa impose some of the highest fees in the nation — affecting tens of thousands of people each year — it also charges poor people for legal aid even if they are acquitted or the cases against them are dropped.
Her “Free” Court-Appointed Lawyer Cost Her Thousands of Dollars
In Iowa, people too poor to pay for a lawyer are on the hook for big fees they can’t afford.
www.themarshallproject.org
October 20, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Not only does Iowa impose some of the highest fees in the nation — affecting tens of thousands of people each year — it also charges poor people for legal aid even if they are acquitted or the cases against them are dropped.
Reposted by Josh Page
Great post from @worthrises.bsky.social on how the "big beautiful bill" is showering public funds on the prison industry, supercharging profits and transforming detention and incarceration in America. #LegalPlunder
worthrises.org/blogpost/202...
@biancatylek.bsky.social
@joshpage.bsky.social
worthrises.org/blogpost/202...
@biancatylek.bsky.social
@joshpage.bsky.social
Worth Rises — How the “Big Beautiful Bill” Has Transformed the Prison Industry
One hundred days ago, on July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA), which launched a dangerous and sweeping escalation of indiscriminate U.S. immigration en...
worthrises.org
October 15, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Great post from @worthrises.bsky.social on how the "big beautiful bill" is showering public funds on the prison industry, supercharging profits and transforming detention and incarceration in America. #LegalPlunder
worthrises.org/blogpost/202...
@biancatylek.bsky.social
@joshpage.bsky.social
worthrises.org/blogpost/202...
@biancatylek.bsky.social
@joshpage.bsky.social
Reposted by Josh Page
Excellent report on asset seizures in Minnesota and Minneapolis
#LegalPlunder
minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/09/m...
#LegalPlunder
minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/09/m...
Minnesota law enforcement asset seizures up last year • Minnesota Reformer
Minnesota law enforcement agencies seized and kept over $6 million in cash, vehicles and other property in 2024, according to the state auditor’s most recent asset forfeiture report. That’s 14% more t...
minnesotareformer.com
October 10, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Excellent report on asset seizures in Minnesota and Minneapolis
#LegalPlunder
minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/09/m...
#LegalPlunder
minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/09/m...
Reposted by Josh Page
From the companies profiting off the administration's dragnet to the hell of Alligator Alcatraz, our reporters trace the brutal rollout of President Donald Trump's police state.
That includes the tiny, inexperienced firm that somehow landed a $1.3 billion detention deal to hold 5,000 human beings.
That includes the tiny, inexperienced firm that somehow landed a $1.3 billion detention deal to hold 5,000 human beings.
How a tiny, inexperienced firm landed a $1.3 billion detention deal
To hold 5,000 human beings.
www.motherjones.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:29 PM
From the companies profiting off the administration's dragnet to the hell of Alligator Alcatraz, our reporters trace the brutal rollout of President Donald Trump's police state.
That includes the tiny, inexperienced firm that somehow landed a $1.3 billion detention deal to hold 5,000 human beings.
That includes the tiny, inexperienced firm that somehow landed a $1.3 billion detention deal to hold 5,000 human beings.
Reposted by Josh Page
something i learned this week! mailchi.mp/boltsmag/new...
October 8, 2025 at 7:45 PM
something i learned this week! mailchi.mp/boltsmag/new...
Reposted by Josh Page
I've been writing about the war on drugs for more than 20 years. There are some cases that have stuck with me -- names that have never left my head. For the last couple years, I've been working with The Intercept on a podcast to tell their stories. It launches in a week.
Introducing Collateral Damage | Collateral Damage from The Intercept
The Intercept is launching a new podcast series reported and hosted by investigative journalist Radley Balko.
shows.acast.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:33 PM
I've been writing about the war on drugs for more than 20 years. There are some cases that have stuck with me -- names that have never left my head. For the last couple years, I've been working with The Intercept on a podcast to tell their stories. It launches in a week.
Reposted by Josh Page
Excited to read this! Thanks @joesoss.bsky.social & @joshuapage.bsky.social
September 29, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Excited to read this! Thanks @joesoss.bsky.social & @joshuapage.bsky.social
Reposted by Josh Page
Reposted by Josh Page
In prisons across the U.S., basics such as deodorant, shampoo, sneakers, thermal clothes for winter are often only available to people who can afford them.
But earning enough in jobs behind bars is nearly impossible.
But earning enough in jobs behind bars is nearly impossible.
Prison Money Diaries: What People Really Make (and Spend) Behind Bars
We asked people in prison to track their earning and spending — and bartering and side hustles — for 30 days. Their accounts reveal a thriving underground economy behind bars.
www.themarshallproject.org
September 27, 2025 at 7:11 PM
In prisons across the U.S., basics such as deodorant, shampoo, sneakers, thermal clothes for winter are often only available to people who can afford them.
But earning enough in jobs behind bars is nearly impossible.
But earning enough in jobs behind bars is nearly impossible.
Reposted by Josh Page
If they had a right-wing, “tough-on-crime” coded mayor there would be endless national profiles about him and how he finally brought sanity back to Chicago.
Now that summer is over, Chicago is still on track to have fewer homicides in 2025 than almost any other year since 2001. This is especially impressive considering that the five most violent years of the 21st century have all been in the past decade.
September 25, 2025 at 8:12 PM
If they had a right-wing, “tough-on-crime” coded mayor there would be endless national profiles about him and how he finally brought sanity back to Chicago.
Reposted by Josh Page
This is what is happening when the cameras are running
I was back at 26 Federal Plaza today, where an ICE agent violently threw this bereft woman to the ground in front of her kids. She had not touched him. She did not pose any threat. She had to be taken to the hospital. (🎥: Elias Eliahu)
September 25, 2025 at 6:34 PM
This is what is happening when the cameras are running
Reposted by Josh Page
Thanks to Walter Pavlo & @forbes.com for highlighting my new report with @nacdl.org on the failures of criminal restitution. Rather than satisfactorily compensating crime victims, it enmeshes people owing restitution debt in the criminal legal system long past…1/2
www.forbes.com/sites/walter...
www.forbes.com/sites/walter...
Study Finds Federal Restitution Benefits Few, Including Victims
Restitution was meant to restore victims of their losses and punish those responsible ... a new paper shows that neither goal is being met and changes are necessary.
www.forbes.com
September 22, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Thanks to Walter Pavlo & @forbes.com for highlighting my new report with @nacdl.org on the failures of criminal restitution. Rather than satisfactorily compensating crime victims, it enmeshes people owing restitution debt in the criminal legal system long past…1/2
www.forbes.com/sites/walter...
www.forbes.com/sites/walter...