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The New Debtors Prisons

How companies are putting borrowers behind bars

State laws that give extensive powers to creditors, combined with aggressive collections efforts, let payday lenders, medical-debt collectors, and corporations take control of courts in some parts of the country.

Impact of Our Reporting
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The New Debtors Prisons

Utah Representative Proposes Bill to Stop Payday Lenders From Taking Bail Money from Borrowers

Debtors prisons were banned by Congress in 1833, but a ProPublica article that revealed the sweeping powers of high-interest lenders in Utah caught the attention of one legislator. Now, he’s trying to do something about it.

by Anjali Tsui,

2 stories published since 2019

They Loan You Money. Then They Get a Warrant for Your Arrest.

by Anjali Tsui,

When Medical Debt Collectors Decide Who Gets Arrested

by Lizzie Presser,

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

Photo of Sharon Lerner
Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

Photo of Andy Kroll
Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

Photo of Melissa Sanchez
Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

Photo of Jesse Coburn
Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

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