What would you pay to stay at a Philadelphia landmark such as Holmesburg Prison or the House of Correction? Thirty five bucks a day?
Let's admit it. These are tough financial times for city bureaucrats. Here in Philly, the city's prison administrator – Louis Giorla – has a capital idea: charging inmates an admission fee upon arrival at jail. A study determined that the average person arrives at the pokey with $35 in his or her pocket. Giorla figures he can raise a cool $300,000 a year by skimming this pocket change. And it makes sense. Think of all the money inmates will be permitted to save by accepting room and board from the Department of Corrections. (And no rebates for people who get acquitted. They get the benefit of food and shelter just like everyone else!)
H/T David Cohen.
Image: House of Corrections, Philadelphia