Private Sector and Community Involvement in the New Zealand Prison System (From Private Prisons and Police: Recent Australian Trends, P 221-232, 1994, Paul Moyle, ed. - See NCJ-160698)

• NCJ Number: 160707
• Author(s): T Craig
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: Pluto Press Austrialia Limited
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

Using the New Zealand experience as the basis for analysis, this paper examines whether prison services should be delivered by the public sector or the private sector.

Abstract

The existing prison system is currently fully managed by the public sector, although the government plans to privatize part of the prison system. The analysis suggests that a model that examines only the extremes has limited usefulness. In fact, within a government-managed system, a wide range of service providers operate from a variety of bases. A model is proposed that emphasizes clarity of results and efficiency of processes and that is useful at a time of great change in the New Zealand prison system. This model suggests the benefits of having a mix of providers, including profit-oriented providers, private practitioners, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and volunteers, as well as prisons providing their own servies. Issues that a mix of service providers raise include responsibility, accountability, cultural issues, and the implementation of a management structure appropriate to ensure that desired results are obtained so that services are integrated. 5 references (Author abstract modified)