The Queensland Corrective Services Commission (QCSC) has tried to force correctional guards to change their work practices, but has been vague about the types of changes required. It has added privatization in the context of staff reductions, elimination of overtime, and disciplining of institutions that do not meet expenditure guidelines. However, a confrontational approach is often counterproductive. In addition, a gap exists between reality and the QCSC perception of the effectiveness of its monitoring. To avoid these problems, Victoria's government should link criteria and outcomes to contract payments. It should use multifaceted monitoring techniques that identify and measure specific outcomes rather than relying on vague claims of the inherent superiority of private sector performance. It should also conduct proper preliminary research in the planning phase. Through these and other measures, the Victoria government should acknowledge and address all the complexities of privatization in corrections. Footnotes