NCJ Number
128636
Date Published
1990
Length
101 pages
Annotation
A literature review, interviews with staff and inmates of jails operated under contract with private organizations in Tennessee and Florida, and a modified Delphi process were used to determine the future impact of the privatization of jails on sheriffs' departments in California.
Abstract
The analysis showed that private-sector jails are run effectively and efficiently. They are staffed by personnel who see corrections as their career of choice. In addition, some politically active groups in California advocate that county jails be removed from the responsibility of the county sheriff. Furthermore, most California county jails are currently staffed by personnel who dislike the job and aim for careers in field law enforcement. These factors contribute to the mismanagement of these facilities. Therefore, a new system must be introduced if jail management is to improve. Results suggest that county sheriffs' departments should contain two divisions, one in corrections and one in field law enforcement. Lateral transfer would not be possible. This approach would provide two career options for graduates of sheriffs' academies. Figures, tables, and 10 references