NCJ Number
152603
Journal
Current Issues in Criminal Justice Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (July 1992) Pages: 9-27
Date Published
1992
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Based on experience in the United States, England, a previous unsuccessful initiative in Australia, and the one currently operating private prison in Australia at Borallon, this article addresses the main problems involved in the privatization of prisons.
Abstract
One problem is that incarceration and corrections policies in general may be driven by private profit motivations. In addition, private imprisonment may be beyond the reach of public accountability. Moreover, a dual standard of public system squalor and private system affluence may be created. Furthermore, the allocation of punishment as opposed to its administration may de facto become a private matter. The current legislation the practical arrangements at Borallon itself indicate that privatization can readily overcome all these problems. Moreover, successful privatization can act as a catalyst for improvements in the public prison system, in both costs and programs. Therefore, private prisons are likely to become established as a small but significant part of the total Australian prison system. Footnotes (Author abstract modified)