EFS predominantly affects (about 80%) people who live at or below the subsistence level. Their financial hardship is the very reason they are in a position where they cannot afford to pay for certain services (e.g. a ticket for public transport). EFS terms are primarily imposed for repeated fare evasion, for shoplifting, or for violations of the Narcotics Act (possession and sale of drugs). A small proportion of people serving EFS terms are in jail for politically motivated offenses.
