# How much would it take for you to do a year in prison? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 22, 2006, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770 "2006-05-22T16:15:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/1 "2006-05-22T16:15:08Z")
One of the bloggers I read posed a series of hypothetical questions I found very interesting. She discusses a client another lawyer had who was convicted of embezzling $250,000. The client could not come up with any money for restitution, and just got out of prison recently. The former client now drives a “much nicer car” than the public defender that defended her at trial. To quote the blogger directly: > [@](#): > > Is that worth it? Is a year in prison and a criminal record worth $250K? It’s a lot more than I make in a year. But, having a criminal record for stealing from your employer means you’re probably going to have a hard time finding a (good) job in the future. And $250K is certainly not more than I could make in a lifetime. Although, maybe for some people it is. If you made, say, $30K-$40K per year, and you’re a little bit older. It might actually be a good retirement plan. > > People compete on Survivor, where the living conditions are arguably much worse than prison, for a chance at $1Mil. Let’s compare: > > Prison: Pros: Roof over your head, three square meals, less mosquitos, fewer “challenges,” more visitors allowed. Cons: Can’t quit when you feel like it, possibility of assault or rape. > > Survivor: Pros: Great outdoors (if you’re into that sort of thing), better scenery, co-ed setting, anyone who assaults you will get kicked off the island, can quit anytime you want, 40 days maximum. Cons: Eating rats or bugs or nothing at all, forced to participate in challenges (particularly if you want the money), not guaranteed a roof over your head, not guaranteed a million dollars or a car or anything at all. > . > . > . > If you wouldn’t do one year in prison for $250K, would you do it for $500K? A million? There’s got to be a breaking point where it might be worth it to do the time. And it’s probably different for everyone. For instance, if you’re working at a law firm and making $100K a year anyway, it’d probably take a lot more for you to give up that job than, let’s say, someone who is making minimum wage. > > Or, consider lifestyle. If you’re living in a nice house with a tivo and cartoon network and a computer and wireless internet, it’s going to be a lot harder to give up than, let’s say, someone who is living in squalor. That struck me as an interesting question. What amount of money would you need buried under the back porch and waiting for you before you’d agree to do a year in prison? Let’s remove the idea that you stole the money from the equation; no amount of money would make it worth my while to steal. So let’s imagine that we’re in eccentric billionaire wager territory - you agree to spend a year in prison and a permanant felony record even though you committed no crime, in return for a payoff of $X when you get out. What’s your $X ? ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/2 "2006-05-22T16:19:24Z")
The Survivor comparison is cute, but not really apt. Survivor contestants spend approximately a month under those adverse conditions and can leave pretty much at will (I think they can just quit if they want to). Of course once Richard Hatch does his time then he can do a direct compare/contrast for us. But no, 250K at this point wouldn’t be worth a year in prison and a record. A million _might_ be closer to the mark, but probably you’d have to multiply that by five or ten. ---
**Author:** ![phall0106](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phall0106/32/5934_2.png) [@phall0106](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phall0106)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/3 "2006-05-22T16:20:09Z")
There’s not enough money in the world for me to spend a year in prison. Even if it was waiting for me, buried under the back porch. Even if I had no prison record when I got out. The idea of being locked up for a year makes me nuts. No way. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/4 "2006-05-22T16:25:20Z")
Somewhere in the 3 to 5 million range. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/5 "2006-05-22T16:26:21Z")
^note that this is after taxes/tax free money. Email me details and I’ll pack a bag. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/6 "2006-05-22T16:54:09Z")
Well, I’ve done 4 years in prison now for a salary that’s pretty commensurate with that of Medical Directors in my region, and I think it’s worth it. What? Sleep here? And use the _inmate_ toilets? :eek: :eek: :eek: ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/7 "2006-05-22T17:06:58Z")
I would do it. I’m good enough at saving and dealing with money that I could live on (a tax-free) 250k for my entire life, so the job thing would be a non-issue. Also, I am pretty good at keeping to myself and not picking or getting into fights so I don’t think I’d get jumped. And, free medical care! And meals made by somebody else! And no dithering about what to wear or wondering if my jumpsuit makes my ass look big! Actually… is this a serious offer? Please say yes. I would not do Survivor, however. First of all, it is outside and I hate the outdoors, unlike the comfort and security of a jail cell. Second of all, I would not do the eating challenges, there is no way I would do them, so I would get kicked off in the first round. And last it is filmed and I don’t much care for being on camera. But I would so do prison in a heartbeat. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/8 "2006-05-22T17:12:13Z")
I’d probably take at least $5000/day, so $1,825,000. That for the Golf Club variety though. If we’re talking Supermax then you’ll need to deal with my agent directly and the signing bonus is gonna be hellacious. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/9 "2006-05-22T17:20:34Z")
Country club minimum security prison: I’d do a year for seven million. Federal supermax prison: I’d do a year for ten million. (One caveat. I need books to read. As many as my family can ship in to me. All of the other usual rules can apply.) Regular state max security prison: No amount of money would make me to willingly. I’d pass up a billion to not go. (This might change if I didn’t have a family to worry about.) ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/10 "2006-05-22T17:23:40Z")
Are we talking country club, or Federal Pound-Me-in-the-Ass prison? If I were sure I’d make it out alive and unraped, I’d think that my price would be about $5 million. It’s enough money that I could support myself for the rest of my life in reasonable comfort (I’m young and have few assets), so I wouldn’t have to worry about the felony record keeping me from a good job. But even if I were offered that sum, I don’t know that I could overcome my fear of prison to do it. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/11 "2006-05-22T17:41:26Z")
> [@iamthewalrus(:3=](#): > > If I were sure I’d make it out alive and unraped, I’d think that my price would be about $5 million. My bag is packed, I’m all ready to go. Also, remember that my $5 mill had no disclaimers. References available on request. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/12 "2006-05-22T17:43:05Z")
Provided we’re talking about a relatively mild prison, I’d do it for a sum that would enable me to continue leading my current lifestyle off the interests. If we’re talking about American Supermax prisons, there is no sum that would make me do it. In fact, I can’t imagine what you’d have to offer me to get me to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/13 "2006-05-22T17:50:30Z")
If from the day I start serving time, I am paid $100 each and every day of my life, I’ll do it. I don’t want the money all at once. I don’t want it sent to me. I want someone to ring my doorbell at 8 a.m. every day and give me the cash. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/14 "2006-05-22T17:55:27Z")
Due to my age and to the income damage that jail time will cause, I will need at least $5,000,000 before we can begin to discuss it, with the amount changing based on the crime and the facility. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/15 "2006-05-22T17:57:02Z")
> [@iamthewalrus(:3=](#): > > I’d think that my price would be about $5 million. It’s enough money that I could support myself for the rest of my life in reasonable comfort (I’m young and have few assets), so I wouldn’t have to worry about the felony record keeping me from a good job. But even if I were offered that sum, I don’t know that I could overcome my fear of prison to do it. Starting your own business would eliminate most employability issues. You would have more than sufficent assests to cover some hefty loans so you wouldn’t even need your own money. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/16 "2006-05-22T17:59:44Z")
I wouldn’t do it. I have enough money right now to be comfortable and having a prison record would fuck up my career. I’d rather have a job I like than a big wad of cash. Interesting book about life in prison: [_You Got Nothing Coming: Notes From A Prison Fish_](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767909194/sr=8-2/qid=1148320519/ref=sr_1_2/102-6874710-8347343?%5Fencoding=UTF8), by Jimmy Lerner. It’s about a white-collar guy who ends up in Nevada State Prison. It’s well written, and gives a very interesting look into what prison is like from the inside. (It sucks.) ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/17 "2006-05-22T18:35:37Z")
Why is it not possible to go after the fellons money for restitution even after they have done time? Shouldn’t the law be to pay up and also do time for the crime. And why can’t they be pursued later for the money (so long as they can’t prove what money the now have didn’t come from elsewhere than the crime itself). Now for a hyperthetical money for time in prison scenario, of course I’d do time if I really NEEDED the money. Now I have no need of money (of course more would be nice but why even have $1000,000,000 for a year in jail if you don’t NEED a billion). If I was 70 years old and had no money for food and medical bills, a year in prison would be fine. But I wouldn’t break any of my moral rules to get the year in prison and money for it. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/18 "2006-05-22T18:38:30Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I want someone to ring my doorbell at 8 a.m. every day and give me the cash. You don’t want to be able to sleep in ever again, for the rest of your life? ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/19 "2006-05-22T18:59:47Z")
I think I’d do it for a couple of million. And only in a minimum security prison. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770/20 "2006-05-22T19:13:39Z")
> [@Priceguy](#): > > You don’t want to be able to sleep in ever again, for the rest of your life? I’m an early bird. For me, 8:00 is sleeping in. Furthermore, $100 a day means I could go to sleep for the rest of the day and never work again. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-take-for-you-to-do-a-year-in-prison/357770.md?page=2)