NCJ Number
161530
Date Published
1996
Length
57 pages
Annotation
Strong growth in correctional privatization has recently occurred in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, and even casual observers of the correctional privatization movement recognize that the private corrections industry is a highly competitive business.
Abstract
Between 1994 and 1995, the number of secure adult correctional facility contracts rose by 15.38 percent. The number of contracts in the United States rose by 15 percent, while the number of contracts in both Australia and the United Kingdom rose by 50 percent. The rated capacity of secure adult facilities in operation or under construction increased from 49,154 to 63,595, an increase of 29.38 percent. The rated capacity of facilities in the United States rose by 26.68 percent, in Australia by 44.44 percent, and in the United Kingdom by 70.26 percent. The utilization of available prisoner housing capacity in private facilities declined by 7.74 percent. Capacity utilization at the end of 1995 was high in both Australia and the United Kingdom but was comparatively low in the United States. Between 1994 and 1995, new capacity scheduled to become available within a 12- to 18-month period due to construction and expansion of existing facilities rose by 9.52 percent. Anticipated capacity growth in the United States decreased slightly but increased in Australia and the United Kingdom. The average capacity of private facilities rose by 9.47 percent to slightly above 600 prisoners. Correctional privatization is examined in terms of industry consolidation, diversification, the phenomenon of "geographic outsourcing" and interjurisdictional prisoner transfer, the addition of new capacity in anticipation of government contracts, and local level interest in correctional privatization. The future of correctional privatization is also discussed. Tables and figures