Private prisons are for profit businesses where convicted criminals are confined. These prisons are contracted by the government in order to alleviate the strain that is placed on the federal prison systems. The amount of the private prisons is continuously rising in the United States, at such a rate that is beginning to raise some eyebrows. What benefits are gained from these private prisons and what is being sacrificed?
Pros of Private Prisons
Lowered Cost
The largest reason that private prisons are put into place is the substantially lower operating costs that they can run the prison under. They have the ability to buy necessary supplies in bulk and find the best prices, unlike government ran institutions who are under strict contracts. They are also able to hire more staff in order to reduce any over time costs that may be acquired.
Improved Quality of Care
Since they operate in a free market economy, the competition that is present among private prisons provokes them to provide better quality care. Often this quality is given at a lower cost than government ran prisons could deliver. This is beneficial for everyone.
Less Red Tape
Since a private prison isn’t associated with the government, decision can be made much faster. This makes changing policies, dealing with major issues, and funding allocation much simpler.
Cons of Private Prison
Only Thinks About Profits
Prisons are given the responsibility of taking care of, providing care to, and protecting human lives. While the people in these prisons are criminals, they still deserve ethical treatment. When you bring money into the situation, it turns these prisoners into a profit. Cost cutting is an inevitable part of a business, sacrifices will be made to prisoner well being in order to save an extra dollar.
Not In The Prisoners Best Interest
These private prisons earn money for the prisoners that they keep, which means that they do not want to lose them. Good behavior and other early release programs are often neglected in these for profit prisons.
Dependency
With the mounting burden on the country’s prison system, the government is depending more and more on private prisons to take on the additional weight of added prisoners. If these prisons gain the majority of the prisoners in our country, then they would effectively control the prison system. Meaning they could dictate terms and policies to suit them and their goals.
Conclusion
Private prisons, while they are a necessary evil, need to be more closely monitored and regulated in the same ways that government prisons are. The ethical and moral problems in these for profit institutions is getting out of hand and something needs to be done.
