Pay-to-stay in jail raises funds -- and questions

[The Straight Story]

Pay-to-stay in jail raises funds -- and questions

If you do the crime and you do the time, you're also supposed to pay for it in many Michigan county jails.

But sheriff's officials say too many former inmates aren't paying for their stays.

State law allows sheriffs to charge a $12 fee when people are booked. Also, counties may seek reimbursement for up to $60 a day for the time people are sentenced to the jail. But many former inmates don't pay or don't have the money to pay, and if they do pay, sheriff's officials say, it doesn't cover the cost of their stay.

In Oakland County, Maj. Charles Snarey said the Sheriff's Office bills nearly $15 million a year and collects "maybe $450,000." It collected as much as 6% years ago, but the rate has dropped steadily to about 3%, he said.

You "can't get blood from a turnip, as they say," Snarey said.

http://www.citizen-times.com/article/C4/20110207/NEWS05/102070407/0/SPORTS05/Pay-stay-jail-raises-funds-questions?odyssey=nav|head

[panader0]

1. I had a DUI several years ago

and had to do 48 hours. The cost? $150.00.

[HereSince1628]

2. An overnight in mental health detention is $2300 in Milwaukee

just saying...the rates of detention depend on where you get detained.

[Betty]

3. I want to see wall street criminals tried

and convicted. and then I want their bank accounts drained to pay for their lengthy incarcerations. Madoff should be paying for his accommodations.

[Turbineguy]

4. Unfortunately

the vast majority haven't done anything illegal (after they got the laws changed in 1999).

[ret5hd]

5. and, i would submit, many "regular people" that are sitting in jail haven't either. nt