The Arizona Department of Corrections is now charging $25 for each adult wishing to visit a friend or family member currently incarcerated in one of its 15 prisons.

The fee is being called a one-time “background check fee” but its critics have called it unconstitutional, as it is a special tax on a specific group.

David C. Fathi, director of the National Prison Project of the American Civil Liberties Union told the NY Times the new fee was “mind boggling” and said it will only serve to negatively impact both the community and the prisoners, who some say are able to reform themselves and their lives through the support from those who visit and stand behind them, those who likely cannot afford the fee.

Read more here.

The prison visitor fee will go towards the maintenance fund for the jails. This is despite the fact that the charge is being called a background check. Resource for this article: $25 prison visit fee in Arizona leads to lawsuit. Okay? Let’s say this fund raising will truly a help a lot, however, I don’t think everyone is going to agree with this idea. But then, let’s see what will be its outcome.