Privatization of Prisons in America: Capitalism at Its Finest

         Privatization in prison has always been an interesting topic in corrections. The dictionary definition of Privatization is the transition of and industry or a business from state ownership to private ownership or control in general. This is an interesting idea that begs many beg the question of whether or not it is a good idea to privatize our corrections system. Would this transition affect the people that are incarcerated? How does this affect our economy? There are direct consequences of privatization that are both positive and negative. 

Privatization of prisons call for a small number of people or a company to take over control of them. While this sounds like it may be a great idea it does have a negative connotation to it. The implications of privatization of prisons are pretty strong.  Privatization of prisons would mean that the state gives control to private owners that profit on the corrections. This may raise the question is there a reason to have people benefit off of incarceration? In a discussion board of the general public that I found while researching there were a few responses that make the argument that prisons in fact should not be privatized because the motive in corrections should never be about the money. It should be about keeping the general public safe and trying to make sure that crime is under control. (as much as it can be) Privatization of prisons may have a negative effect with the general public because it will illustrate to them that there is no need for keeping the public's best interest but only to make a little money. This system also implies that there state, while making room in the state budget, the state will not see the money that it did before. The money that would have been flowing through prison is now going to private owners causing stratification of society even further.

 

There are many opinions that have to deal with the idea of privatization. In the discussion thread that was referenced earlier there are many sides to each opinion on the matter. There are those who completely agree with the idea that prisons should not be the responsibility of the state. The argument is that it would free up some of the state budget and it would serve to benefit those incarcerated because they can do work that will generate profit. On the other hand we have those who state that it would only cost more money to close down a prison in some cases. 

It is pretty clear that there are two sides of the story. While business would love to add revenue to their company the public does not agree with the way they would be going about it. One has to consider that there is a chance that these companies willing to take on such a task would be more worried about making money than making prisons as secure as they are today. It is hard to choose a clear path on this topic but there are a lot of things to consider. Is it worth it to take money away from the state to fund a private company? Are we even considering what will happen to the inmates? Do you believe that privatizing prisons is a good idea?

www.googleimages.com

http://www.correctionsone.com/facility-design-and-operation/articles/3648556-Privatization-of-jail-would-ship-NC-prisoners-out/

http://debates.juggle.com/is-it-reasonable-to-privatize-prisons-and-prison-management