Growth of private prisons in the U.S. and why they are better than the public prisons
Private Prison versus Standard Prison in the United States.
Private Prisons versus Standard Prisons in the U.S
The private prison business was established in 1984 where the (CCA) Correction Corporation of America acquired the contract to manage the facility in Hamilton. It was the first time that the government contracted out the entire jail operation to a private organization. The private prisons since then began buying other prisons and renovating them to admirable standards that they appeared more preferable and efficient than the state correction facilities. In the U.S, private companies operate 264 facilities, and that holds 56% of the total number of offenders compared to state correction facilities that hold 44% of the population (Hallett, 2006). Examples of companies that operate these facilities are GEO group, Community Education Centers, and the CCA. With the increased number of offenders, there is urgency for provision of these services.
LCS is an example of a private prison company that has eight facilities in the Gulf States. The LCS prison can accommodate approximately 6000 inmates. This prison is more efficient in its operations and cheaper compared to government prisons. Private prison business did not create boom in this business. They are responding to the unexplored market availability. Criminals are increasing in number, and the state prisons are not able to maintain the high rise in the number, so they are turning to private sectors. This makes private prisons gain more popularity on operation, accommodation, and services over the state prisons. (Hough, Allen, & Solomon, 2008).
Private prisons imprison 5.3% of the inmates, adult people in the US. This study shows the chosen outcome of 1999 analysis of administrators who scrutinized private prisons in the US and its territories. Amongst the conclusions of concern, the private segment went through substantial problems with employees income, escapes, drug and substance abuse, and fights in the prisons. In the possible situations, private prison management and the way they are run were compared with the standard prisons (Camp & Gaes, 2002). Observing the various challenges raised on public security, public departments and agencies that are contracted to run individual prisons must develop incentives or various ways to make sure that this private department operators maintain qualified custody personnel. This research paper compares private prisons and standard ones in the US. The emphasis is cost effectiveness and quality service delivery in prisons. It considers the similarities and the differences that are well portrayed in both cases.
Prison privatization in the US dates back to the foundation of the nation. It involves the exercise of the coercive power of the state, a significant authority given by the public strictly to the government alone (Price & Morris, 2012). Such powers are meant to deprive off someones liberty or life. This is a constitutional act, and its use by the government is strictly controlled. The Bill of Rights embodies the principles and the acts of the Constitution, underscoring the philosophical limitations on the use of the mentioned powers (Camp & Gaes, 2002). Police are empowered to enforce and exercise these powers, but this is done under tight and controlled measures. Prisons are meant to rehabilitate the crooks in a society, hoping that they will reform and be accepted in the particular societies. They restrain the freedom of the inmates against their will, either as a form of punishment or to prepare them to rejoin the civil society at the end of the punishment.
While President Reagan pushed for overall privatization of government sectors, prison populations escalated during the states war on drugs, and this led to rising costs and it became a political issue. Business people came to offer solutions promising increased business-like efficiency, leading to cost saving and an overall decrease in the government expenditure offering the same service. They would also be more accountable because they would be fined or fired if they could not.
Prison business in America is becoming a multi-billion-dollar opportunity that is attracting tycoons. This seems like someones problem is another ones opportunity. Private prisons organizations are taking these opportunities and using them to get returns. Research has showed that private prisons hold approximately 130,000 American inmates. It was proved that this number doubled to the number that was observed ten years ago. (Price, Morris, 2012)
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