NCJ Number
95589
Date Published
1984
Length
53 pages
Annotation
Results are presented of a study undertaken to determine the extent, value, and potential of private sector (both for profit and nonprofit) roles in corrections.
Abstract
Fifty-two of the 54 agencies that responded to the survey questionnaire have at least 1 contract with the private sector. Twenty-one adult agencies, 15 juvenile agencies, and 12 agencies responsible for both adult and juvenile services reported 3,215 contracts with the private sector. The five agencies with the most contracts are in California, South Carolina, Virginia, Arizona, and Connecticut. Juvenile agencies account for 45.2 percent of the contracts, as opposed to 29.3 percent for adult agencies and 25.3 percent for agencies combining adult and juvenile services. Thirty-two types of services were reported, including food service, security, transportation, work release, and laundry. Approximately $200 million is spent annually on these services. Correctional administrators cited nine major benefits of private sector contracting, including staff savings, better quality of service, more efficient operation, better accountability, and reduced training requirements. Planning strategies for private sector contracting are divided into precontract, contract, and postcontract activities, and include such criteria as establishing need, including renewal contingencies, and close monitoring for the first 6 months. Several models for contracting the operation of an entire correctional facility are suggested. Three tables, study instruments and data, and a 16-item bibliography are provided.