Prefects taking points--Common Practice in Britain?

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 71681

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "paulamore" <paulamore at y...> wrote:
> ... Inquisitor's Squad starts taking points from houses ....  I think 
> Ron says that this power is denied to prefects.  Yet in CoS, Percy 
> takes 5 points  from Gryffindor for, IIRC, Harry and Ron sneaking to 
> Myrtle's toilet.  Is this a Flint?


bboy_mn:

Percy said he was taking points from Gryffindor, but we don't have
anyway of knowing if it actually happened. He might have just been
bluffing.

Although, I think it's just that Prefects can't take points from other
houses. 

Which brings up the question, can Prefects give detentions to other
houses? Detention would seem to be a worse punishment than house
points which can be adjusted to fit the size of the offense very
easily; one point for running in the hallway, 5 points for using magic
in the hall, etc.... If a Prefect gives detention, does he have to
create and supervise the detention, or does he turn it over to the
head of House? Having to supervise the detentions you hand out might
also be another safeguard the prevents Prefects from abusing their power.

It would seem that the purpose of a Prefect is to assist the
administration in keeping order in the houses after normal school
hours, and to assit the staff in keeping order in general. That would
see to focus their authority on their own house. 

So, can anyone in Britain who has knowledge of boarding schools tell
us if Prefect usually have school-wide authority or is it limited to
their residence hall?

Just a thought.

bboy_mn