Only In California

Pay to go to jail? A few jails in California are offering “pay to stay” programs.

When Pasadena started it’s program in the 90’s “’[o]ur sales pitch at the time was, ‘Bad things happen to good people,’ said Janet Givens, a spokeswoman for the Pasadena Police Department. Jail representatives used Rotary Clubs and other such venues as their potential marketplace for ‘fee-paying inmate workers’ who are charged $127 a day (payment upfront required).” The New York Times, in today’s online edition.


Yep, for between $82 and $127 a day you can get a nicer cell, moisturizer, shampoo, and most importantly, segregation from the non-monied normal inhabitants of the joint. You can bring your cell phone, but not your laptop.

The land of O.J. and the Menendez brothers has put its unique stamp on the DUI/DWI crowd.