Privatization in corrections was placed into a broader context, with examples given of essential government services being provided by nonprofit and profit-oriented elements of the private sector. Testimony specifically examined linkages between public and private sectors in the delivery of criminal justice services in general and correctional services in particular and the privatization of jails and prisons. Testimony also included a historical review of the context in which correctional privatization emerged. Consideration was also paid to the current status of correctional privatization, the propriety and legality of private prisons, cost savings associated with correctional privatization in the United States and several foreign countries, and the effect of correctional privatization on quality. Lessons learned from experience with correctional privatization are noted. 76 footnotes and 1 figure