Jordan is one of the few countries to still put people in prison for failing to repay debt.

But there are many common misconceptions in the public about this.

One misconception is that this practice is necessary to make sure that debt is repaid.

The fact is debt imprisonment is one of the least effective ways to ensure debt is repaid.

Staying out of prison allows people to work and repay in installments. Personal bankruptcy laws and asset freezes are some alternatives used in other countries.

The people who have taken out these loans spend recklessly and should have known better.

Jordan has a woefully inadequate social security net, leading many, including doctors and lawyers, to take out debts to cover living essentials.

In 2015 4352, were wanted for debt. That increased tenfold to 43,624 by 2019. 

Only crooks and fraudsters end up in jail for failing to repay debt. 

Jordanian law does not make a distinction between people unable to pay and those who are unwilling to pay.

The government spends more than $750JD that’s $1,000 a month to imprison each person for debt.

Money that could be invested in building a better standard of living for all of us.

End debt imprisonment now.