Proponents
Proponents of the privatization of prisons claim that the public incarceration facilities have limited options to satisfy the growing need for bed spaces. The justice system incarcerates many people annually, but the government is yet to increase the capacity in the incarceration facilities to solve the challenge of overcrowding. Privatization of the prisons may allow the prisons to expand faster because the private sector has the financial ability for the same.
Privatization of prisons may offer a quick solution to the current crisis in the prisons. A State-driven expansion of the prisons would attract slow legislative procedures for acceptance, but the private sector can commence on the project independently. Private companies also have the flexibility in the delivery of solutions to the particular needs of the prisons. States place prison building projects under their infrastructure development plan, which means that applying short-term solutions is limited. Privatization may also enable easier transferring of inmates from different states to private prisons because it can eliminate jurisdiction-related prisoner transfer issues. Private prison facilities can focus on housing the inmates and managing their correctional activities as recommended by the justice system.
Opponents
The opponents of the proposal of prison privatization believe that the privatization of prisons can decrease the efficiency of the facilities in rehabilitating criminals. Part of the reasons that would influence a criminal to refrain from recidivism is the tough life in the incarceration centers. Privatized prisons are bound to provide prisoners with better lives throughout their time in prison. Private prisons may focus on making the lives of prisoners better instead of focusing on rehabilitation.
Opponents of the proposed privatization of prisons also believe that since the private sector is always profit oriented, the private facilities can influence the development of stern laws against petty crimes to ensure there is a steady flow of criminals in their facilities. The private facilities may focus on holding criminals longer to gain more profits from the government in payments. It is also likely that the privatization of prisons might attract corruption in the justice system as the private sector is bound to have conflicts of interest. The private sector may ignore the responsibility of reforming prisoners in their quest to increase their net profits.
Recommendations
The governor’s office should consider privatizing prison expansion projects. The private sector can influence the faster expansion of the incarceration facilities. The deep pockets available for the private companies can help in the alleviation of the current crisis of prison overcrowding. It is also important for the government to refrain from handing over the control of the prisons because of the possible conflict of interests among the private companies. The government should sign development contracts with the private sector to build new facilities, but the public sector should still remain in control of the prisons. The main focus of the government should be the development of ample space for the increasing number of prisoners rather than handing over the control of the new facilities to their private developers.