NCJ Number
138993
Editor(s)
G W Bowman,
S Hakim,
P Siedenstat
Date Published
1993
Length
257 pages
Annotation
This volume examines many aspects of the debate over privatization of American correctional institutions, a direction that appears plausible in the face of severe prison overcrowding and lack of adequate rehabilitation services.
Abstract
Following an introductory chapter is a description of the deteriorated condition of the justice system with a particular emphasis on prisons and jails and an outline of the private option. An historical overview argues that private prisons are not a new concept in the U.S. and that previous experience does not justify the current opposition by civil libertarians and labor unions. Subsequent chapters evaluate contemporary contracting out, privatization of prison industries, private prison construction, and private management of facilities; indirect effects of privatization; and research on public/private partnerships in prison industries. Two additional chapters discuss the legal issues of liabilities and prisoners' rights. The book contains a section presenting evidence on the experience of private companies managing medium- and high-security prisons and jails. Data are compared on several matched pairs of privately and publicly operated corrections facilities. The concluding chapter touches on constitutional, liability, prisoners' rights, and quality concerns, as well as cost and accountability issues. Chapter references