Privatization of Community Corrections: Panacea or Pandora's Box? (From Privatization and the Provision of Correctional Services: Context and Consequences, P 89-102, 1996, G. Larry Mays and Tara Gray, eds. - See NCJ-167497)

• NCJ Number: 167504
• Author(s): J F Meyer; D Grant
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: Anderson Publishing Co
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article discusses several community-based sanctions; advantages of community corrections in general; advantages and disadvantages of privatizing community corrections; and regulating the private sector's involvement in community corrections.

Abstract

Privatizing community corrections has great potential for lowering operating costs and increasing the effectiveness of community corrections. Private sector involvement with community corrections is illustrated by such programs as privately operated half-way facilities for disturbed youth, drunk driver and traffic violator schools, firms administering electronic surveillance bracelets, and commercial fine collecting agencies. However, before privatization can be implemented, it must be accepted by a significant proportion of judges and corrections officials, and have achieved at least a modicum of legitimacy in the eyes of the public. In addition, it is crucial not to oversell the program in order to avoid generating unrealistic expectations. Finally, the advantages of privatization can be realized only if corruption, exploitation, and skimming are kept in check. Notes