States see the light: private prisons are a bad deal
What happens when private prisons take over is clear. The downside is worse for law enforcement. Get the word out – it could save your job.
In 1997, Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) took over the Idaho Correctional Center. Predictably, the facility was soon plagued with rampant violence, understaffing, gang activity and contract fraud committed by CCA. One former inmate said the facility was so violent that it was commonly referred to as “gladiator school.” What’s more, in 2012 the Associated Press showed that taxpayers didn’t even get the savings they were promised.
This month, tired of the bad headlines, Idaho Governor Butch Otter – a strong proponent of outsourcing – announced that the state is taking back control of the privately run prison.
Meanwhile, in Arizona, The Arizona Republic recently let loose with an expose, editorial and column excoriating the private prison industry for lockup quotas contained in state prison contracts. And let’s not forget Texas, which last year closed two of its private prisons thanks to pressure from a coalition of advocates in the state.
You better believe if the private prison industry is being called out in Idaho, Arizona and Texas, it’s happening elsewhere as well.
Read the entire article written by Donald Cohen and published on the “Capital & Main: Investigating Power & Politics” website.
This is powerful ammunition for you in your fight against privatization of the law enforcement profession. Use it.
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
