When this applies: When someone is held in contempt for failing to perform an act that is still within their power to perform, such as paying child support, producing documents, or complying with a court order. Who this affects: Anyone jailed for civil contempt who has the ability to comply with the court’s order. Key points: The person can be held in jail until they perform the required act; the specific act must be described in the commitment warrant; this is a coercive remedy, not a punishment – the person can end the incarceration by complying; this is commonly used in child support enforcement and discovery disputes; the person cannot be jailed if performance is genuinely impossible.