Privatization of Jails

[wonderwoman]

I would be interested in opinions on the issue of privatization of jails. In Ontaro, Canada we are now looking at privatizing new mega jails. There are differing opinions, one being.... if the jail isn't government run then it isn't safe! http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
(P.S. If you respond and I don't get back to you right away its because I am headed out of town tomorrow on business till Friday)

[Don]

While I am sure that there may be some valid reasons for going to a private operation, I am strongly opposed to it.

The only possible benefit that I see (and I

[JKT]

Short answer: not a good idea.

There are several of these facilites in my area. One is staffed my SOME professional officers, the other is questionable. We have received applications from quite a few of their officers that want to go to work for us, but can't for various reasons, mostly unacceptable backgrounds. Their COMPANY Policies, while within State guidelines, are in the best interest of the Company, not the Officers or even the inmates.

It all boils down to the almighty bottom line. While this does save some taxpayer monies, the risks, IMO, aren't worth it. The companies are in it to make a profit, and in most cases, it shows.

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Optimistic pessimist: Hope for the best, but expect the worst.

Jack

[cajuncop]

Here in Louisiana we have prisons (adult and juvenile) that are ran privately by Wakenhut Corp. From the beginning they have had operating problems, mainly due to staff and training. I'm also against the idea, but it goes to show you what the government will do to make a buck.

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Without the support of our fellow officers, sometimes we have no support at all.

[Buddingnovelist]

I understand that private prisons have tons of problems. But what if they were properly legislated and overseen by the state? You know, inspections, etc.?

What is worse, putting a criminal in a private prison or cutting him loose,assuming the state refuses to build more?

I'm in learning mode here. Curious to read what others think.

Thank you, Wonderwoman, for the interesting thread.

Chris

[Don]

I may be wrong about this, but I believe Wakenhut had at least some of those juvie facilites in Utah that I was talking about.

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"We're sorry, the number you have dialed, 911, is no longer in service. This is a recording. . ."
6P1 (retired)

[wonderwoman]

You raise a good point Chris. In Ontario, there will apparently be tough standards, in fact rumour is that they can't find any bidders that can meet the standards. I have heard that there are some privately run in the US that are successful. Ones that include profit sharing with the staff and therefore a vested interest by all. Has anyone heard of these? I could not support any type of privatization without some type of government standards and compliance monitoring. Does anyone know what the wage difference is for government owned verses privately run Correctional Officers?
(now to try finish packing! http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Tackleberry]

Bad, bad, bad idea as Don pointed out. They are in it for one thing and that is profit! Most pay very little, very little training, little to no background checks and even some private prisons have ex-inmates working them! You put everything and everyone at risk. They are not considered by the state or government as LEO's but as private security. They are not afforded the same protection under the law as State,County and federal CO's. We are public servants as they are recongnized as not. As for wages I can guarantee you I would not be making $18.02hr as a private CO.!


Tac

[This message has been edited by Tackleberry (edited 04-03-2001).]

[gazza]

hi w.w in vistoria aus the govt just took back a private prison run by CCA due to their incompentece in running it also they had a high no of deaths in custody this is a f/male jail it was the first f.male jail privatised in the world other states in oz are also having major probs with private jails private jails need to make a profit to survive,lack of staff training,cut down on staff numbersand where is the profit in keeping prisoners govt run jails are the only way to go our other 2 private jails are run by wackenhut and an english company group4 they are also currently in the govts eye due to certain practices

[wonderwoman]

sounds like they have no standards with which to comply with. I would have to agree with you in the case you presented!!


Originally posted by Tackleberry:
Bad, bad, bad idea as Don pointed out. They are in it for one thing and that is profit! Most pay very little, very little training, little to no background checks and even some private prisons have ex-inmates working them! You put everything and everyone at risk. They are not considered by the state or government as LEO's but as private security. They are not afforded the same protection under the law as State,County and federal CO's. We are public servants as they are recongnized as not. As for wages I can guarantee you I would not be making $18.02hr as a private CO.!


Tac

[This message has been edited by Tackleberry (edited 04-03-2001).]

[wonderwoman]

thanks for the input!! Do you know if they caught the incompetence right away or let it fester over time?

Originally posted by gazza:

hi w.w in vistoria aus the govt just took back a private prison run by CCA due to their incompentece in running it also they had a high no of deaths in custody this is a f/male jail it was the first f.male jail privatised in the world other states in oz are also having major probs with private jails private jails need to make a profit to survive,lack of staff training,cut down on staff numbersand where is the profit in keeping prisoners govt run jails are the only way to go our other 2 private jails are run by wackenhut and an english company group4 they are also currently in the govts eye due to certain practices

[gazza]

SORRY I TOOK SO LONG WW THE GOVT LET IT FESTER N BOIL FOR A LONG TIME THE PUBLIC DIDNT KNOW AND WOULDNT CARE ANYWAY THE TURNING POINT WAS A CHANGE IN GOVT THEN THE PROVERBIAL HIT THE FAN AS THE NEW GOVT STARTED FINDING ALL THE COVERUPS AND LIES ONE OF THE WAYS WE KEPT THE NEW GOVT INFORMED WAS BY ANON P/CALLS AS WE HAD EX GOVT C/OS IN THE PRIVATE PRISONS WHO WOULD KEEP US INFORMED ALONG WITH OUR UNION

[JKT]

We recently received another application from a former employee of one of these private facilities. According to them, the "powers that be" are more profit motivated than in doing any type of Corrections or Detention work. Undortunately, this is also a Federal contracted unit (Bureau of Prisons).

We have worked at least half a dozen applicants from these places. Most of them are qualified, but some of them don't stand a chance in Law Enforcement with their backgrounds (criminal record, baaaad driving record, etc).

Seems like the State-contracted units are a run a little tighter.

I don't know if the BOP will ever realize what is going on, but hopefully they will. Soon, before someone gets hurt (or worse).

They also seem to pay well, but chances for advancement are excellent-high turnover might have something to do with that.

Personally, I would not be comfortable working in one of these facilities from what I have learned so far.

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Optimistic pessimist: Hope for the best, but expect the worst.

Jack