The failure of public agencies to handle convicted criminals in ways to achieve public protection, deterrence, just punishment, and humane, cost effective rehabilitation are cited as reasons for the privatization movement. Three questions that need to be considered about privatization of prisons are: (1) Can private firms outperform public agencies? (2) Should the authority to administer criminal justice programs and facilities be delegated to contractually deputized private individuals or groups or should it remain fully in the hands of public authorities? (3) Does privatization present a single 'either-or' bundle of policy alternatives or does it pose multiple choices? The debate over privatization of prisons focuses on whether the movement, now 6 to 7 years old, can last. Proponents argue that privatization can save 10 to 25 percent of the Nation's correctional budget, while opponents claim that major cost cutting can be achieved only at the expense of humane treatment. The article also details other pro and con issues concerning privatization, and discusses the politics of privatization, prison spending, and administration of prisons.