Jails Have Hard Time Getting Prisoners to Pay for Cells

Monday, 07 February 2011 | by Pat's Picks

According to the Detroit Free Press, many of Michigan’s county jails charge inmates a nightly fee—anywhere from $15 to $60—for their cells. But, surprise, surprise, many say they have a hard time collecting on their bills. Officials say they were able to collect about six percent of their unpaid bills a few years back. Now, that number is more like three percent. The ACLU and other civil rights groups object to the practice, noting that many people who are jailed are down on their luck or jobless.