What are some of the pros and cons, and evaluation results, to guide policymakers considering privatization?
Detention facility privatization is a hotly debated topic nationally and engenders strong opinions (even among those without a vested interest). During the past 15 years, private firms have entered into various contracts with states or counties to run some prisons and jails (usually minimum or medium security facilities); still a small number in the total prison/jail system, but a growing trend nationwide. In addition, as previously noted, private firms have built privately financed prisons on speculation (often in remote rural areas) and then sought agreements to house out-of-state prisoners as “pay for stays.” Privatization proponents claim that government monopolies should be broken and that the private sector should be allowed to compete and show that they can operate correctional facilities better and/or more cost-effective than a government agency. They also claim that private “spec” prisons allow correctional systems a way of handling the variability of demand for bed space ther
