NCJ Number
122145
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (1989) Pages: 48-73
Date Published
1989
Length
26 pages
Annotation
Arguments for the privatization of the American correctional system justified some transfer of correctional responsibilities from the public to the private sector in the last decade, but the success of the reform movement is in doubt.
Abstract
Reasons for support of the movement are described as well as the projected policies and practices that would be anticipated to operationalize the reform. These projections are compared to the actual experience of the movement toward privatization in the 1980s. A considerable lack of fit is found between expected and actual policies and practices adopted during the process of privatization. Explanations for the lack of fit are considered with attention to overcrowding, institutional costs, achievement of correctional goals and bureaucratic flexibility. 73 references. (Author abstract modified)