Prior to the 1980s, private prisons didn’t exist in the United States. But thanks to the Reagan administration’s War on Drugs, which led to harsher sentencing policies and higher rates of incarceration, the inmate population skyrocketed beyond the capacity of the nation’s existing prisons, a fact that corporations were quick to take advantage of. In 1984, the country’s first for-profit prison was established in Tennessee, and over the next six years, it was joined by 66 more. Currently there are over 26 states that house private prisons which charge the state for the housing and care of each incarcerated prisoner. Currently the two big corporations of privatized prisons are "Core Civic" and the "GEO Group."
Please answer the following questions:
A. List three advantages and three disadvantages of a private prison
B. Locate and Identify a "private prison" in the United States (A simple internet search will help) and answer the following:
a. List the name and provide the location
b. What company owns the group?
c. Roughly how many prisoners are housed there?
d. Any other important information... low/medium/high rick security? Riots? Issues?
Full Answer Section
Disadvantages:
- Profit motive: Private prisons are motivated by the profit motive, which can lead to cuts in services and staff.
- Accountability: Private prisons are not as accountable to the public as public prisons. This is because they are not subject to the same level of oversight.
- Quality of care: Studies have shown that the quality of care in private prisons is often lower than in public prisons. This is because private prisons are more likely to cut corners in order to save money.
Example of a private prison in the United States
Name: CoreCivic Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility
Location: Hartsville, Tennessee
Company: CoreCivic
Number of prisoners: 1,512
Security level: Medium
Other important information: The Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility has been the site of several riots in recent years. In 2017, a riot resulted in the deaths of three inmates. The facility has also been criticized for its poor conditions and its lack of adequate medical care.
Is it ethical to privatize prisons?
The ethics of privatizing prisons is a complex issue. Proponents of privatization argue that it can lead to lower costs, greater efficiency, and more innovation. However, opponents of privatization argue that it can lead to cuts in services and staff, reduced accountability, and a lower quality of care for inmates.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to privatize prisons is a political one. It is important to weigh the potential advantages and disadvantages of privatization before making a decision.
My personal opinion on the ethics of privatizing prisons
I believe that the privatization of prisons is unethical. I believe that prisons should be run by the government and that they should be held to a high standard of accountability. I am also concerned that the profit motive could lead to cuts in services and staff, which could harm inmates.
I believe that the government has a responsibility to provide its citizens with safe and humane prisons. I do not believe that this responsibility should be outsourced to private companies.