NCJ Number
131718
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 58 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1991) Pages: 28,30-33
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Many law enforcement officials and government administrators are considering private sector development as a cost-effective option for replacing outdated correctional facilities or building new ones.
Abstract
Private sector development is not the same as privatization, since it specifically excludes the notion of a private contractor providing security and law enforcement services which remain within the purview of counties and municipalities. Through private sector development, a private developer designs and builds law enforcement facilities for government clients. Counties and municipalities can fund new facilities in this way through "off-book" financing and do not have to spend scarce general funds for capital improvements. The private developer makes a reasonable profit on the rental income from such arrangements, but the overall facility cost is usually lower for the government than it would have been through the traditional public works approach. The county or municipality must define the specific goals and quality level of a planned facility in advance, provide input and direction throughout the architectural design phases, and obtain consensus from key decisionmakers at critical project benchmarks so that each phase is completed satisfactorily. Public officials should also remember that the private developer may be tempted to cut corners in construction, that facility plans should not be too complex, and that a private developer with sufficient experience should be selected for facility construction.