Keeping Prisoners in Police Cells

[naomi24]

With prisons overflowing, can anyone explain why it apparently costs �2000 a night to keep a prisoner in police cells?

[jake-the-peg]

Ah Today's Daily Mail Story

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/text/article. html?in_article_id=454592&in_page_id=1770&in_m ain_section=News&in_sub_section=&in_chn_id=146 9

Court cells not police cells it seems

I note there's no mention of where the figure came from.I rather suspect they've taken the cost of running the court and divided by the number of cells and 365 days in a year.

Frankly I think they should be filled with Daily Mail journalists

I rather suspect that they've taken the cost of the facility and divided

[naomi24]

Jake, no, you're wrong. it wasn't from today's Mail. If you notice, I posted the question last night. I think I probably got it either from the Times or the London Evening Standard last week - and the article referred to police cells.

[NJOK]

Extortionate. SURELY the answer is the return of capital punishment, Naomi? That'd free up some room.

[Neilzulu1]

Oh no, not the capital punishment question again.....lol.

[jake-the-peg]

Well the Standard's part of the Mail group.

The point still stands

It doesn't cost �1800 a night to keep a prisoner in Court cells - somebody's clearly playing fast and loose with statistics.

They must think we're all stupid and will believe anything they print

[naomi24]

Well, great debate that was. I'll just assume no one knows the answer then.

[NJOK]

According to official Home Office figures:

�20 for the cell.

�30 for food.

�150 to pay for them to be councelled rather than beaten with a stick because we're too soft in this country and it's all gone to the dogs and bring back Thatcher etc etc.

�1800 on buying them drugs and prossies.

Was this more like it?

[naomi24]

No, it wasn't. At the very least you've left out the cost of staff wages - and I think you meant counselled. Still, I'm sure you gave it your best shot. As I said, great debate. I'll leave it at that.

[NJOK]

You're right, Naomi, that's exactly what I meant.

"Jake, no, you're wrong. it wasn't from today's Mail."

Can you spot your own minor error? Perhaps you should campaign for capital letters as much as you campaign for capital punishment?

I'm glad we can help each other in this way.

[ruby27]

Would you still be interested if prisons were not overflowing? Can not quite seem to understand how you are making the connection between the prison population and the cost of the police cell. Do you think if the prisons were not full it would cost more or less?
Do you have a view on whether �2000 is a lot of money or compared to prison an economy?
It seems such an improbable amount that I struggle to believe it � it is certainly far more money than costs to keep someone in a secure unit � what is being quoted is more like the cost of a week. What are the police doing with all the revenue they are generating!

[naomi24]

I made the connection between the prison population and police cells because the article I read referred specifically to the prison overflow. Yes, I would still be interested if prisons weren't overflowing - and I struggle to believe it too - which is why I asked the question. However, everyone who has replied so far appears to have assumed they know my politics, my opinions and what papers I read. I had hoped for a civilised debate on a report that is highly likely to be fictitious, but it hasn't happened, so if you want to discuss it further, do it amongst yourselves. I can't be bothered with this nonsense.

[Lonnie]

Hi naomi,

At present, criminals just aren't scared of going to prison, which I believe should be the case, so,

Bring back Capital Punishment, Hard Labour and the Stocks.

[NJOK]

And leeches for the treatment of cancer.

Atta boy.

[Lonnie]

No rebuttal, NJOK, so in theory, you agree with me?.

[NJOK]

I always agree with you.

[kwicky]

It might reduce prison costs considerably if they only locked up violent prisoners. The rest could be employed in open prisons earning their keep.