In the documentary film Private Prisons, provides insight on how two private prisons industries, Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and Geo Group, generate revenue through mass incarceration. It is no surprise that the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. The United States represents approximately 5% of the world’s population index and approximately 25% of the world’s prisoners due to expansion of the private prison industry complex (Private Prisons, 2013). The number of people incarcerated in private prions has grown exponentially over the past decades. To put into perspective, the number of individuals increased by 1600% between 1990 and 2005 (Private Prisons, 2003). Over the past few years, crime has been …show more content…
This paper will analysis how Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and Geo Group have generated revenue and examine their relationship with the American Liberties Exchange Council (ALEC). Corrections Corporations of America The Corrections Corporations of America (CCA) is the first private prison industry that was established in 1983. Currently, this company is the largest operating private prison industry in the United States. This company oversees more than 65 correctional facilities and youth detention centers with approximately 90,000 beds in over19 states (Dayen, 2016). In the film, a commentator emphasized how the operations of the CCA could be potentially be affected by the governments relaxation in enforcing the laws, and leniency in convictions and parole …show more content…
This prison industry is the most discussed as it deals with corrections, juvenile detention centers, and mental health treatment. This prison oversees approximately 96 correctional facilities with approximately 73, 000 bed occupancies (Dayen, 2016). Similar to CCA, Geo Group wants to keep their industry thriving by keeping their occupancy rate high or their beds completely filled. Like the CCA, Geo Group has engaged in lobbying to keep their revenue flourishing, but not to the extent of CCA. As discussed in the video, Geo Group as well as the CCA have signed contracts with companies that ensure high occupancy rates. According to Dayen (2016), the federal contract comprises of approximately 44 percent of both Geo Group and CCA revenues. Basically, this contract ensures that majority of the beds are filled with inmates, if they already are not. This occupancy rate is expected to be amongst 90% to 100% (Private Prisons, 2013). This is really sad that there are actually contracts that must be adhered to regarding the occupancy rates of prisons, otherwise they have to pay for beds that are not filled. Companies rather build and fill private prisons with people rather than providing financial resources to invest in diversion and treatment programs, which is a more rehabilitative approach. The rather see more