PRISON PRIVATIZATION | Justice Strategies

Proponents argue that prison privatization can cut costs while maintaining or improving the quality of correctional services. But a mounting body of research shows that these promises have not been met. Justice Strategies researchers have examined the impact of privatization at the state and national level, and documented the industry's role in promoting rapid prison population growth.

Report: No reliable data on private prison savings (AZ)

(The Explorer News - Ryan J. Stanton - March 30, 2005)

It was 11 years ago when Arizona first entered the business of outsourcing its corrections operations to private, for-profit corporations with the approval of a privately-run state prison in Marana.

Judith Greene debates Reason Foundation's Adrian Moore on prison privatization

Cost-Saving or Cost-Shifting: The Fiscal Impact of Prison Privatization in Arizona

Arizona policymakers responded to claims that significant cost-saving have been achieved through privatization by nearly tripling the number of state-contracted beds. But Justice Strategiesâ€™ analysis finds that these claims are based on flawed, outdated research that failed to address critical factors including population differences and the cost of financing.

From Abu Ghraib to America

Since the infamous photos of abuses at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq first came to light, much has been said about the role that the U.S. military and CIA have played in connection with the human rights violations. But reports of similar abuse in the United States are all too common, which suggests that America's dehumanizing prison culture has now been exported elsewhere in the world.

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RESEARCH