The stakes are very different, both for themselves and society at large if they're set free. They're fighting for their life and freedom, not just a relatively small rent payment

These people have also already shown their character, at least at one point in their life. They're capable of heinous acts and being deceptive is pretty in line with that

It's a much higher bar for them to clear than everyone around me needs to

Must be nice to be so unencumbered that you think paying rent is not a life and death issue.