On May 17, Square announced that it will be extending Afterpay’s BNPL services to its in-store merchants in the United States and Australia. This news comes a mere 3 months after Block’s acquisition of Afterpay, which is aimed at introducing BNPL capabilities across all of Block’s online commerce and in-person sales ecosystem.

Credit cards offer consumers convenience as both a payment vehicle and a source of short-term credit. Revolving credit permits consumers to enjoy immediate purchase of goods and services (in the absence of funds or in lieu of tapping savings), to make large ticket purchases without having to save for them in advance, and to smooth consumption in the face of short-term income and expense shocks.

Individuals who spend time in prison can experience devastating financial consequences at every turn. They may struggle with the cost of posting bail, lose wages while incarcerated and watch debt snowball with legal fees and fines.