Those in favor of privatization argue that it will improve conditions for prisoners, reduce costs for the State, and facilitate innovation. Those against believe accountability for the treatment of prisoners cannot be ensured and it is the State's absolute and legitimate responsibility to punish lawbreakers. The book describes the first 2 years in the life of Wolds Remand Prison, the first private prison in Britain, and compares it to a new public-sector prison. It explores some of the practical, theoretical and ethical issues surrounding privatization and considers implications for the future of the prison system and penal policy. The book is presented in seven chapters: (1) Private Prisons Rediscovered: International Developments in the Twentieth Century; (2) Evaluating Private Prisons; (3) Contemporary Developments in British Penal Politics; (4) Contracting-out at Wolds; (5) Responding to the Challenge in the Public Sector; (6) Legitimacy and Consent: Ethical Issues and Contracting-out; and (7) Privatizing Prisons: Current Issues and Future Prospects. Table, figures, notes, references, index