NCJ Number
131349
Date Published
Unknown
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This analysis of the development and current status of privatization in corrections concludes that privatization is likely to increase despite the continuing opposition from powerful vested interest groups.
Abstract
Growing dissatisfaction with government agencies as providers of services coupled with increased demands for services and decreased governmental revenues established a basis for the privatization movement more than a decade before privatization was actively considered. During the 1980's the appeal of correctional privatization grew rapidly as a result of rapid growth in prison population and legislative policy decisions. The available evidence indicates that privatization of corrections will reduce costs, increase flexibility, and preserve or enhance the quality of correctional services. Obstacles to privatization include legislative inertia, resistance by traditional correctional practitioners, opposition by government employee labor unions, and legal uncertainties. However, privatization will probably continue to grow. Footnotes and 38 references