Drunk tank

A drunk tank is a jail cell or separate facility accommodating people who are intoxicated, especially with alcohol.[1]

Traditionally, and in some jurisdictions currently, the circumstances of drunk-tank occupants may vary widely, as to whether in fact intoxicated, whether willingly there, whether isolated to protect them from others, confined to protect others from them, or simply permitted to find shelter, and whether legally under arrest, charged with an offense, or neither. Those in need of more long-term treatment may be referred to a rehabilitation center.

There are few to no 'drunk tanks' in existence today, due to the overwhelming danger for the clients who were generally not monitored including suicide or medical complications. There are separate facilities, such as those in Britain, Australia, Canada, and the United States, which are referred to as "sobering-up centers" or "sobering centers".

Europe

In some countries of Europe, such modern institutions are known by names that may be translated as "sobering-up station" or similar.

Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic the name is Protialkoholní záchytná stanice, colloquially Záchytka. The first such institution in Czechoslovakia was opened in 1951 by psychiatrist Jaroslav Skála;[2] its first patient was a Russian naval engineer.[2] During its first 30 years of service, Prague's sobering-up station treated over 180,000 people. Other facilities in the country treated over 1,000,000 people. During its peak in Czechoslovakia, there were over 63 such institutions.[3]

Estonia

In Estonia, drunk tank is known as kainestusmaja (sobering up house), those exist in the biggest cities. Most of the clients there are brought forcefully by police to sober up if a person poses a threat to the public or themselves. One will not be released until sober (up to 24 hours).

Poland

In Poland a sobering-up chamber (Izba wytrzeźwień) exists in bigger cities. As of 2013, there were 52 sobering-up chambers in Poland, and they yearly host about 300,000 people.[4]

Being drunk by itself is not an offence, but police may place a person in a drunk tank if they're found wandering on roads, during harsh weather etc. through they will often be returned to their houses; many people taken to the drunk tanks are declared violent and a danger for others.[4]

Sobering-up chambers can charge fees just like hotels, and they often chose the most expensive price allowed by law, which is why they are often called "the most expensive hotel in town".[5][6][7][4]

Russia

Such institutions, known in Russian as Вытрезвитель, Vytrezvitel, were introduced in 1904 by Archangelskiy Fedor Sergeevich in Tula, Russia.[8]

Sweden

In Sweden the sobering-up units are located at police stations around the country. Colloquially known as "fyllecell" or drunk cell, the cell is for holding people who are too intoxicated to take care of themselves or when their intoxication poses a danger to themselves or other people. Being drunk in public is not an offense in Sweden and does not lead to any charges, but repeat "offenders" can have their driver's license revoked.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the idea of privately run drunk tanks (or "welfare centres"), separate from police stations and funded by the penalties issued against those held there, was discussed in 2013 and gained support from the Association of Chief Police Officers.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Morris, Nigel (15 February 2012). "'Drunk tanks' and minimum prices to help Britain sober up". The Independent. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  2. 1 2 British lists
  3. ↑ Czechoslovak world
  4. 1 2 3 Cichy, Sławomir. "Izba wytrzeźwień niczym hotel trzygwiazdkowy? Niezupełnie [ZOBACZ ZDJĘCIA]". Dziennikzachodni.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2017-07-02.
  5. ↑ "Najdroższy "hotel" w Krakowie - jeszcze droższy". Onet Kraków (in Polish). 2014-05-08. Retrieved 2017-07-02.
  6. ↑ "Izba wytrzeźwień działa, a pijani nadal trafiają do szpitali. Dlaczego?". lublin.wyborcza.pl. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 2017-07-02.
  7. ↑ FM., RMF. "Izba wytrzeźwień - najdroższa noclegownia w Szczecinie". Retrieved 2017-07-02.
  8. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2006-08-25. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  9. ↑ "Acpo issues 'drunk tanks' call to tackle disorder". BBC News. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
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