Over 80 percent of crimes committed across the Nation are in one way or another related to the illegal drug trade, and the public sentiment to ensure certainty of punishment for narcotics trafficking is growing; consequently, convictions for drug offenses are on the rise, as are sentence lengths. This has compounded the prison overcrowding problem. States are currently attempting to meet the demand for prison bed space, but they are unable to keep pace with the volume of prison admissions. The private sector is well-suited to help alleviate this shortfall in prison space. The private sector is uniquely capable of implementing new innovations in fast-track construction and has proven records in Texas and other States in bringing prison capacity on line in a significantly reduced time. Privately run prisons have proven they can maximize educational training, treatment programs, and operational programs at costs lower than can State government while offering a variety of financing options. Appended Texas privatization law, chapter references and notes.