Private prisons were constructed as a response to the overcrowding in federal prisons during the 1980s; many people speculate whether or not private prisons are good or bad. Critics argue that private prisons like any business are driven by profit, and prisons profit from the amount of criminals they are able to contain which gives the private prisons and their shareholders incentive to keep the prison population high and expenses low. The National Council on Crime and Delinquency estimates that over the next ten years state and federal expenditures on prisons will amount to $351 billion6. These government subsidies along with the support of private prison shareholders allow the prison industrial complex to keep their power and influence
Ever since For-Profit prisons started, jails have been overcrowded and are distributing inmates into prisons in neighboring states, such as Arizona, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. Judges and the government only have one thing in mind. Profit. As a result of wanting more profit, judges are convicting more prisoners for petty crimes. Therefore, For-Profit prisons have more employees to make more products.
Current policy allows government agencies to fund private, non-profit correctional facilities (also referred to as private prisons). While new policies to end federal contracts with private prisons have been issued, government agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), continue to work with private prisons now known as immigration detention facilities. The continued support of private prisons by government agencies for the last four decades has sparked public debate. “Conflict over the direction of government policy” on private prisons has resulted in the use of private prisons to be an unresolved public policy issue (1). Modern private, for-profit correctional facilities emerged in the 1980s that allowed private corporations to have full operational control for the first time.
Hi Michelle, I agree with you. I am against the use of tax payer dollars funding private prisons as well. As you mentioned, private prisons main objective is not the prisoner or the public but the money that they are benefiting from housing inmates. There has been a lot of controversy about the use of Private prisons in the United States. I am against the use of tax payer dollars funding private prisons for many reasons.
Improving American Prisons When looking at the American prison system it can be seen that it is something that can and needs to be improved on. Compared to other countries around the world the United States is number one with the highest incarceration rates. In 2013, the United States Department of Justice, estimated that more than 1.5 million persons were in a state or federal prison. That is an increase of 4000 more than in the previous year. As we can see, overcrowding is one of the biggest problems that the government faces when looking at prisons.
United States Prisons: A Mental Cage The United States is one of the world’s most recognized and powerful superpowers since its industrial and commercial production along with their nearly limitless military budget make them practically invincible. This demonstrates the power of the United States on foreign soil and problems, yet many internal problems in the United States are left disregarded and neglected, simply thrown away. Citizens and lawmakers remain silent on several key social issues and on one of the biggest shameful topics of neglect, America’s incarceration rate.
With the number of people sent to prisons increasing exponentially in the United States and the aggregate cost of the system being around $1 trillion per year, conversation has erupted about reform and abolishment. From adjusting the way in which prisons are run, who is sent to them, and how long people stay to outright demolishing them entirely, there are many perspectives regarding the topic, and there are also people who believe that the system should remain the same or even increase its reach in society. Changing the prison system has also become a question of politics and ethics, in addition to the basic question of whether or not they are effective, so these aspects have also shaped the current argument. Considering the negative impacts
Contested political debates, regarding prison reform, date back to the early 1890s. During the following century and to date, considerable progress occurred towards a more fair and just prison system, however, not at a steady and consistent pace. Progress in prison reformed greatly slowed in the years following the 1890s and prison conditions declined during the 1940s (Sullivan), leading to countless prison revolts and lawsuits. For instance, in the 1950s, prisoners rebelled and fought back against the harsh living conditions and unfair treatment following the steady decline in prison conditions. These original prison reform movements laid the crucial framework for our modern prison reform movement based around the ideas associated with
In the US, the number of private prisons is continuously increasing at such a rate that it started to raise some eyebrows. What benefits are gained from these institutions and what is being sacrificed? This topic is increasingly causing a controversy and sparking debate among opposite sides. To gain a good perspective about this, let us
Prisons that are managed by the government is the most effective form of prison system. The government is responsible for the services that the citizens want to be provided publicly and are willing to pay (Gregson, 2000). Privatization means that there will be more government spending as the government will be the financier as they shift the functions and responsibilities to the private sector (Gregson, 2000). Private prisons can raise concerns on how are they managed.
In a country with an extensive mass incarceration issues, prison overcrowding is commonplace. Therefore, states often turn to outside sources to relieve this stress. “The relief of overcrowding is the second major reason for the use of private prisons and includes both out-of-state transfer of inmates and in-state use of private facilities. In California, for example, the courts required a timely reduction of overcrowding, which led directly to the use of out-of-state contract prisons, as California does not allow private facilities to be built within its borders for state use…” (Blackstone and Hakim).
As Emily enters jail, she has no idea what to expect in prison. She believes prison punishes people appropriately and gives people time to rehabilitate themselves. Adam believes our prison system is a complete failure and explains why. There are 2.2 million people incarcerated in the U.S 10x more then it was 50 years ago. A study conducted by the NYU school of Law found that the effect on the crime rate of increasing incarceration has been 0.
In recent decades, there has been a trend developing in America towards the privatization of America’s prisons. Independent companies have contracted, built and staffed prisons in several different states instead of having the government in control of these facilities. There is still much uncertainty, however, if private prisons will be able to succeed. Some companies have failed while others cling to average revenues. Some people believe that these measures will save taxpayers money while other are afraid that private prisons have no real interest in rehabilitating prisoners.
The 2016, presidential election posed many opinions from our candidates as to the efforts taken on prison reform. With Donald Trump being elected the fate of our country's prison system was held in his hands. Trump argued the true problem of incarceration in our country; is that we don't do enough to raise our rates and clear our streets from crime. With obama out of office and new officials being appointed, congress has developed new forms of ideals when pertaining to our countries prisoners. 2017 was said to be a unknown year, walking in blind Trump administration dismembered the plans drawn up by the expired congressional party.
Open prisons are usually for prisoners who were moved from closed prisons for rehab purposes. There are no external protection to an open prison. The prisoners with good conduct in the work force belong in this kind of prison area. Enforcement officers can go out under the supervision and protection, and also it is possible to discuss freely with visitors. Prisoners in the open prison are required to work hard labor for the government, it can also be community service.
