Geneva questions if non-fine payers should be jailed

Champ Dollon prison, Geneva (c) WRS

The practice of jailing people who fail to pay fines is under scrutiny in Geneva.

At Champ-Dollon Prison, some inmates are serving custodial sentences after fines for fare evasion, minor drug offences or petty theft went unpaid. 

The prison visitors’ commission says the system disproportionately affects people in financial difficulty and argues detention should be a last resort.

During debate in the Geneva Grand Council, right-wing parties opposed reform.

A vote on the issue was delayed for the next couple of weeks.

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