What is the cost of keeping a person in jail for a day?

Question

I'm doing a paper on legalizing marijuana, and I was wondering how much it cost to have a person in jail per day? I heard it was around $100, but I'd like to know for sure. Thanks!

Answer 1

Quite frankly, there are too many factors to give you an accurate number. $100 is actually a really LOW estimate. Keep in mind that if the inmate is on medications, the jail must supply them at NO COST TO THE INMATE. The jail must provide soap, shampoo, sanitary napkins to female inmates, clothing, laundry, food, healthcare, etc. Many of them, although they don't have to, also provide gym equipment, a library, and a formal education program. Then there is the cost of the employees of the jail, the electricity, the water, the sewer, etc.
It's a lot more expensive than most people think.