A defence barrister representing his client asked a judge: "My instructions are to ask your honour to pass an immediate custodial sentence."
Matthew Comer said former civil servant Elizabeth Godden told him six months in prison was right considering what she had done - and she got what she wished for.
Bristol Crown Court heard in September last year a masked Godden walked into Bridewell Police Station, stabbed at the front office screen with a kitchen knife and screamed: "I'll f***ing kill you all!"
Mr Comer said his client's instruction was she merited jail.
Godden, 46, of Henfield Crescent in Oldland Common, pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour with a blade.
Judge Euan Ambrose jailed her for a year, which means she should be due for release after six months.
He told her: "Those present were caused serious alarm and distress.
"The officer behind the desk thought that someone might get killed, it was that frightening and alarming.
"It appears to be intentional by you to lead to your arrest.
"You don't appear to have the intention to injure anyone."
The judge ordered that the knife in the case be destroyed.
Neil Treharne, prosecuting, said it was around 1pm when Godden entered the police station, where six people were waiting to be seen.
Mr Treharne said: "The defendant held a knife up and started stabbing at the protective plastic screen.
"She said 'I'll f***ing kill you all!', repeated that and stabbed at the screen."
Witnesses said the screen was shaking as if it had come off its hinges, and feared someone would get killed.
The shocking incident came under control after a panic button was pressed and officers swooped on the scene.
Mr Treharne said: "They produced Tasers at the defendant.
"She stopped, dropped the knife and adhered to the police's instructions."
The court heard she was taken to Patchway Police Station, was detained for mental health assessment and then released.
Mr Comer, defending, said his client was an intelligent woman, with a 2.1 degree in politics from Brunel University and a work record which included the civil service.
He also said she had been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.
He told the court: "She takes the view a suspended sentence is not in the interests of justice.
"She believes it falls to carry a custodial sentence.
"She believes she ought to be punished for this.
"I've said prison is particularly unpleasant given the current environment.
"She feels she always ought to be punished.
"She says she will do whatever the court tells her to do."
Mr Comer said it had been unable to glean the reason for the incident, but said it was never Godden's intention to injure anyone.
