Private Prisons

Rainmaker

Issues

Cutting cost Untrained guards Transparency effect

Overcrowding Health

Background Debate: whether private-sector involvement

in corrections should be increased proponants: potential cost savings and

efficient service Opponents: issues as the transfer of

services from a public to private provider, the potential decline in the quality of inmate services, the propriety of private-sector operation of correctional facilities, and the legal liability surrounding privatization.

History Before the use of prisons in America,

criminals were subject to corporal/capital punishment

Starting in the 1600’s, prisons were being used to house people who couldn’t pay debt and other criminals All types of people, Men/women,

young/old, black/white were all placed in the same overcrowded prisons

History During the 19th century, debate raged

between proponents of two different philosophies of prison administration One model, based on New York State's

Auburn State Prison, founded in 1817, enforced strict discipline, forcing workers to toil in silence during the day and housing them in separate cells at night

They were often forced to work for private businessmen without pay, creating significant profits for both the businesses and the state

History In contrast to that model, a system initiated

in 1829 in PA emphazied rehabilitation and penitence (where penitentiary came from) Prisoners were given one cell and a bible, and

were expected to understand and realize what they did wrong so they could be released

Supporters of the Pennsylvania system described the Auburn system as virtual slavery, while its defenders praised its profit-making potential

Critics of the Pennsylvania system claimed that its enforced solitude often led to madness.

Proponent Arguments

Government can reduce or share its liability exposure by contracting with private corrections companies.

save money

Opponent Arguments

CCA

Support Private Prisons

ACLU

Against Private Prisons

Statistics

Statistics

Recent Developments

Political Parties