NCJ Number
106396
Date Published
1986
Length
5 pages
Annotation
During the past several years, both State governments and the Federal Government have dramatically cut expenses on correctional staffing and program development, forcing the system to adopt alternative strategies such as privatization.
Abstract
The move to increased private sector involvement in developing, implementing, and operating correctional institutions raises a number of issues relating to resources; prison conditions; management; contractual agreements; public policy; accountability; public attitudes; legal authority; political philosophies and ideologies; financial issues; and planning, implementation, and evaluation. Among problems associated with privatization are the absence of laws and regulations for monitoring private sector operations, Government liability, institutional safety and security in emergency situations (e.g., prison riots), possible misuse of the profit motive, and the absence of guidelines for sentencing to private prisons. Conversely, benefits include cost effectiveness and the provision of additional prison space to ease overcrowding. 26 references. (Author abstract modified)