NCJ Number
100185
Journal
Prison Journal Volume: 65 Issue: 2 Dated: (Autumn-Winter 1985) Pages: complete issue
Editor(s)
W G Babcock
Date Published
1985
Length
124 pages
Annotation
This discussion of recent trends in the privatization of corrections facilities and services focuses on the political, administrative, legal, and financial issues and on five recommended goals of further use of the private sector in corrections.
Abstract
A summary of a recent study issued by NIJ reviews privatization developments in three areas: the participation of private industry in prison work programs, the use of private sector alternatives for financing the construction of prison and jail facilities, and the involvement of private organizations in facility management and operation. Political issues discussed include the appropriateness of delegating social control, the effects on public policy, labor relations, management opposition, and public attitudes. Administrative issues considered include quality, accountability, and flexibility. The legal issues of authority, liability, security, and contract specificity and the financial issues related to efficiency, profitability, and visibility are also discussed. Careful experimentation is recommended to achieve the goals of rapid mobilization of resources, ability to experiment, decentralization, specialization, and regionalization. 7 references. For individual articles, see NCJ 100186-100194.