The Deputy Minister of Information explains it well in Terry Guillam's "Brazil":

INTERVIEWER: And the cost of it all, Deputy Minister? Seven percent of the gross national produce ...

HELPMANN: I understand this concern on behalf of the tax-payers. People want value for money and a cost-effective service. That is why we always insist on the principle of Information Retrieval Charges. These terrorists are not pulling their weight, and it's absolutely right and fair that those found guilty should pay for their periods of detention and the Information Retrieval Procedures used in their interrogation.

And later on a well-meaning guard advises the protagonist:

               Don't fight it, son .... confess
               quickly ...  If you hold out
               too long you could jeopardise your
               credit rating.