Privatised Prison Essay

Implications of the Privatised Prison System: A comparison of U.S. Federal and Privatised Prisons

Word Count: 2129 The system which the American Federal and privatised prisons are ordered by has been subject to discourse for some time. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, private prisons are vastly different to Federally run prisons as they are owned and operated by companies not affiliated with the American government (Austin and Coventry 5). This prison model has been used by the American government for the supposed economic benefits they generate (Austin and Coventry 5). Furthermore, unlike Federal or state operated prisons, the money earned from the facility goes directly to a third party owner. It is for this reason that there

Nelson Mandela states that prison, for him, was not of rehabilitation but of survival: “The challenge for every prisoner, particularly every political prisoner, is how to survive prison intact, how to emerge from prison undiminished, how to conserve and even replenish one’s beliefs.” (Mandela). As will be discussed in this paper, the prison system has been designed for the rehabilitation of a criminal but as is becoming a more prominent opinion, the current private prison system is distancing itself from the original premise (Schartmueller 235-236). When the ideas of Nelson Mandela are tied with those in The Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Book IV, a series of remarks on many topics, one being justice and the system of justice humans use for themselves, the basis for this research question was formed. When examined, the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus’s passages on human nature, morals, and justice can be connected to the similar topics shown in Nelson Mandela's work on rehabilitation, prison, and principles. With these two sources put together this paper's focus on the American incarceration system was formed. The answer to whether or not America ought to continue their use of the privatised prison system is one highly sought after. This paper will provide information into both sides of the

They believe that the disadvantages of private prisons greatly outweigh the advantages. A large issue brought on by private prisons are the conditions the prisoners are subject to. Nelson Mandela, a prominent figure who endured political imprisonment, wrote about his twenty-seven incarcerated years. Mandela stated “Prison is designed to break one’s spirit and to destroy one’s resolve. To do this, the authorities attempt to exploit every weakness, demolish every initiative, negate all signs of individuality – all with the idea of stamping out that spark that makes each of us human and each of us who we are.”. Although this may be the goal of some prisons, the U.S. prison model is designed for rehabilitation, although, similar to the conditions explained by Nelson Mandela, the private prison system does not possess the same