Run That By Me Again Officer.......

I recently found myself reading a transcript of a conversation between a Sergeant and a man who was under arrest, as given in evidence. It was alleged that the Sergeant was being oppressive by telling the DP (detained person or some such) that he would shortly be off to prison, a gloomy and frightening place, populated with hard and vicious inmates who would inflict unspecified horrors on said DP as soon as the gates slammed shut.
But hang on a minute: most police who blog or comment on blogs tell us that prison is a softies' dream, furnished with gleaming facilities, where prisoners are mollycoddled to such an extent that they can't bear to contemplate release.
Someone here appears to be less than candid.
Any suggestions?