Is it time for prisoners to face the same rules as elderly in care homes?

[squarecorners]

In response to the news that John Warboys had a property worth £2m and still got legal aid, isn't it time for wealthy prisoners to face the same rules as elderly people who have to live in a care home, and that they must pay for their own board on a means tested basis up to a certain limit?
I work with the elderly and have seen many older people having to watch their life savings dwindle away because they need care. People with money who commit crimes, like Vicky Price and Chris Huhne should fund their own imprisonment by having to sell their homes or use their savings down to the same £25000 limit IMO. Life sentences should get nothing.
Interested to know what others think.

No

Just because we have a ridiculous system for funding elderly care, doesn't mean we should have some race to the bottom

If the state requires that a person should be sent to prison, the state should pay the bill. If the idea of a "bullet fee'' sickens you, then the OP's proposal - which is along the same lines - should do too

I would love us to spend more on preventative action (including tackling gangs, drugs, poor educational attainment and mental health provision). That would be the better way to reduce the cost of the prison system (by having fewer people in it)

Good idea but only if it won't make the partners and children homeless as a result.

There is definitely merit in it, if the elderly have to pay - yep so should prisoners. Means tested of course makes lots of sense. :)

If someone with a mortgage is inside for a few years, wouldn't they lose the house due to not paying the mortgage?