But it fell out of fashion, and became an unlawful and unconstitutional form of punishment in the U.S. back in the 1830s, as well as in most other countries. The 14th Amendment strengthened equal protection under law, that is until recent decades. With new found economic pressures and plenty of new fines and offenses, debtors' prisons are back.

And it is a harsh reality for thousands of struggling Americans. Many more could join them if they aren't careful.

CBS Money Watch carried another in depth report on the growing trend of debtors' prisons, a de facto result of thousands of Americans who are too poor to pay for heavy fines levied by private institutions contracted by municipal governments, or otherwise unable to keep up with the multiple demands of violations for traffic and other offenses:

For teenager Kevin Thompson, a traffic ticket ended up costing him not only his driver's license, but also his freedom.