Is it normal in the US....
 

For people that have been arrested to be just thrown into the same cell at the police station as everyone else? Because that's what seems to happen on TV, and somebody in another thread mentioned about someone being arrested and being thrown in with a bunch of unsavoury people. That seems like a bad idea. AFAIK over here everyone gets their own cell.

Why do you wanna know mate? Are you planning on doing something naughty?

Depends how busy it is. In my experience you get your own cell, although it might be next to an ********, they cant even see you.

Yes, it helps us pick out who we want to aim for when they are released for the public stoning. I know it's nothing like the individual, air conditioned, catered, and pleasantly lighted accommodations the UK always uses for it's potential prisoners. I'm just happy I have things like the internet available before I ask stupid questions about another countries criminal justice system based on TV shows.

Get out of bed the wrong side this morning did we?

Actually i´ve been in a German holding before, and it wasn´t anything like on Tv.
Actually it was a room with a table, a Tv, a few magazines etc and was basicly just a locked waiting room.
Not one of those haha we´ll rape you whilst your waiting tv things.

No, I just think you are a tool.

For asking a simple question? Mate, it's you that's the tool.

And it wasn't just based on watching TV programmes, like I said, it's also because of something somebody said in a previous thread.

What do you mean by "unsavoury" people?

In Ohio, when you're booked into a county jail, the deputies usually do a fair job of keeping you separate from violent people.

in the cell he's surounded by the lower-east side's finest, shooting up, fighting each other etc. filler

Just thinking about it, communal jail cells sound dangerous, they should be outlawed. I think the government should make sure that we all get our own jail cells.

Agreed. When I'm hauled in for committing a crime I don't want to be thrown in with other criminals.

More cells = more money


In general most jails and prisons usually hold 1-2 inmates per cell. It can change when overcrowding starts though. Also, if you are arrested for a DUI you are generally placed in a holding cell with a bunch of other people who are drunk. Most just sleep anyways.

In the larger cities, yes its very common.

Smaller towns / suburbs of big cities have their own cells.

Criminals here do not get respect.


To answer your question, it depends. If you're thrown in jail, you may be locked up with a bunch of dudes meaner than you are. When you are convicted and sentenced to prison, or if you're in a jail cell for more than just a day or two, you will likely get a cell with just one or two other people. It also depends on what town you're in and how big and how capable their system is.
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I'm not talking about people who have been convicted, but about right after they have been arrested. There's a whole bunch of reasons why putting people all in together is a bad idea.

i think what you are thinking is while they are being processed. If it is the type of crime (disorderly conduct, public intox, fighting, ect..) that you are likely to get out of the next morning, and you are in a large metropolitan area, you will go into a holding cell, that is typically crowded by other nitwits like you. Basically, it is a place to hold you while you are being processed, with the idea that you are likely to get out in the am anyways, so suffer with the other drunks in this crowded cell because we night crew can't be arsed to do more.

It can be a bad idea, but there is no way around it. Prisons are bursting at the seams with being over crowded, money and space is scarce. They do keep different types of offenders somewhat separate. DUI people get put in the "drunk tank" in the County pen around here. if you have an extended stay, you may be shuffled between a couple different jails. I spent a weekend in County in Barneyland (public television was the only channel). One big room with a common area in the middle and the cells around the perimeter, showers off to the side near the CO's desk. 2 person capacity to each cell, bunk beds.

In there the population is fairly mixed. I saw a dude that I saw on TV who was in for murder. Most of what was there though was druggies, drunks, thiefs, etc. Prison is a different story. I ahve not personally had the pleasure, but if anything bad could happen to you, a state or federal prison is where it will likely happen.

They dont always in the uk

This is a rule of thumb, but not written in stone...

Police stations generally have a handful of individual holding cells, with perhaps 1 or 2 larger holding cells that can accomidate a few+ in a pinch. County jails have dozens, if not more, individual holding cells and a few more that can accomidate larger crowds if need be. Prisions will have the most individual(read: 1 or 2 inmates) cells, also with a few larger holding cells to accomidate crouds, transfers, ect, for short spells.


Police stations will use there cells for short stays(less than 48hrs), and temp holding for transfers to county. County cells are used for sentences up to and including 1 year in most cases, while any bid longer than 1 year usually goes to a state facility.

The practice of larger 'mass' holding cells are common practice in most all areas of law enforcment, in all of the world.