As in most other democracies, the relationship between the government and the correctional system in the United Kingdom is not a fixed one. In the 18th century, the correctional system was largely operated by the private sector. A period of central inspection and government involvement led to the nationalization of corrections in 1877. However, reform schools for juveniles were operated by private nonprofit organizations. Currently, major changes are under way. The government has given the prison department agency status, the central services that the agency itself provides and some other services are being market tested, and the Conservative government has approved private prisons. The opposition to private prisons comes from trade unionists who seek to retain their jobs and employment conditions, from those who oppose privatization of the deep end of the system where the use of force is routinely applied and human rights are systematically abused, and those who believe that it is wrong to make a profit out of unfortunate social necessity. Together, these concerns indicate that the debate is less about public versus private than about where and on what terms private interests should be involved. 36 references