California prison offering inmates $150 nightly 'Pay to Stay' rates

[davidn3600]

Some prisoner’s in Northern California are upgrading to better living spaces – but only if they’ve got the cash to pay.

That’s because a jail in Fremont is offering prisoners the chance to pay-as-they-go for a cell in the prison . And the rent isn’t cheap, running $155 a night, the same as a local three star hotel, according to local affiliate WTKR.

“You do get cable TV, but you don’t get a warm cookie on your bed,” Lt. Mark Devine, of the Fremont Police Department told the station.

The $10 million minimum security prison is far from luxurious with standard prison beds, shared bathroom and shower space. But it does come with various recreational options, including a HD widescreen TV.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/-california-prison-offering-inmates--150-nightly--pay-to-stay--rates-223622151.html

[rdharma]

1. This is so wrong at so many different levels.

Isn't this a violation of the "Equal Protection Clause" of the 14th Amendment?

[NYC_SKP]

3. GMTA.

There has to be a case here.

[NYC_SKP]

2. This is wrong on a billion levels. Wealth should NOT be available to soften punishment.

What the fuck in wrong with people?

It's already fucked up enough that the poor can't access the brilliant representation wealthy folks can, now we are going to allow them to buy their way out of punishment?


Fuck!

[Pretzel_Warrior]

4. This is bull shit. I totally agree.

[limpyhobbler]

5. This is complete bullshit.

[Wounded Bear]

6. What do we expect from for profit prisons?

They invent more ways to make profits.

[rdharma]

8. After watchting the video.......

At first I thought it was probably one of those "privately operated" prisons. But it was actually purchased by the county with taxpayer money. Fremont is trying to "make it pay".

It's still BS and shouldn't be allowed.

[Wounded Bear]

9. But the mindset is still there....

Prisons should be paid for and operated by taxpayers. They shouldn't be looking for revenue streams.

[rdharma]

10. I whole heartedly agree!

To me its a clear violation of the Equal Protection Clause.

[Savannahmann]

7. Ok that is just... Outragous?

I can't find a word, but you get it right?

[LuvNewcastle]

11. When citizens deem certain people too dangerous to allow in society,

it's the citizens' responsibility to take away their freedom and house and feed them until the prisoners can be allowed to return to society. I view it as similar to a quarantine situation. You don't quarantine people in order to profit from them. If paying for the prisoners' upkeep is too expensive, then it's time to re-evaluate your reasons for locking them up. If you're putting people in quarantine when they get a cold, you'll soon realize that the cost isn't worth the benefit, and maybe their danger to society isn't so terrible after all.

[CrispyQ]

12. This country just gets more fucked up every day. --nt