Private Prisons Rainmaker
Jan 11, 2016
Private Prisons
Rainmaker
Issues
Cutting cost Untrained guards Transparency effect
Overcrowding Health
Background Debate: whether private-sector involvement
in corrections should be increased proponants: potential cost savings and
efficient service Opponents: issues as the transfer of
services from a public to private provider, the potential decline in the quality of inmate services, the propriety of private-sector operation of correctional facilities, and the legal liability surrounding privatization.
History Before the use of prisons in America,
criminals were subject to corporal/capital punishment
Starting in the 1600’s, prisons were being used to house people who couldn’t pay debt and other criminals All types of people, Men/women,
young/old, black/white were all placed in the same overcrowded prisons
History During the 19th century, debate raged
between proponents of two different philosophies of prison administration One model, based on New York State's
Auburn State Prison, founded in 1817, enforced strict discipline, forcing workers to toil in silence during the day and housing them in separate cells at night
They were often forced to work for private businessmen without pay, creating significant profits for both the businesses and the state
History In contrast to that model, a system initiated
in 1829 in PA emphazied rehabilitation and penitence (where penitentiary came from) Prisoners were given one cell and a bible, and
were expected to understand and realize what they did wrong so they could be released
Supporters of the Pennsylvania system described the Auburn system as virtual slavery, while its defenders praised its profit-making potential
Critics of the Pennsylvania system claimed that its enforced solitude often led to madness.
Proponent Arguments
Government can reduce or share its liability exposure by contracting with private corrections companies.
save money
Opponent Arguments
CCA
Support Private Prisons
ACLU
Against Private Prisons
Statistics
Statistics
Recent Developments
Political Parties