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PUNISHMENT INDUSTRY

NCJ Number
143375
Journal
Governing Dated: (May 1993) Pages: 44-48
Author(s)
P Lemov
Date Published
1993
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article compares State-operated and privately operated medium-security prisons in Louisiana in terms of cost effectiveness.
Abstract
The two new medium-security prisons have the same architectural plan, and both house 1,200 men for the same range of crimes. The bulk of both prisons' employees comes from the surrounding towns. The State-owned and operated facility is located at Cottonport in Avoyelles Parish and the State-owned but privately operated facility is the Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield. The management of the Winn facility is contracted out to the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), a private company whose stock is sold on one of the major stock exchanges. CCA is responsible for everything that occurs in the prison, from the food that is served and the vocational courses that are taught to the discipline that is meted out to inmates who refuse work assignments, hassle guards, or are otherwise a problem. The most recent figures available indicate that Winn is the more cost effective facility; its costs are approximately 8 percent lower than those at Avoyelles. There is no indication that this cost savings has compromised the quality of prison services and programs. The cost savings comes from increased flexibility in competitively shopping for prices. CCA does not offer the traditional pension plan to its employees, which is another savings. Inmates who have been transferred to Winn from older State prisons volunteer that conditions are also vastly better. No court has held that private corporations that contract with the State to provide prison services are unlawful. On the issue of inmates' civil rights, courts have held that private corporations that contract with the State to provide prison services are subject to civil rights suits, just as is the public sector. As to liability suits, inmates who are injured by accidents in a privately operated facility can sue both the corporation and State agencies. Privatization of prisons is not likely to occur statewide but has a role to play on a case-by-case basis. 2 figures