Justice:

Criminal Injustice System:

Corporate Prisons

As more and more corrections systems exceed their capacities, government is turning to for-profit prisons run by corporations in order to save money. There is increasing evidence that they not only cost taxpayers more money, but they consistently violate the civil and political rights of the prisoners. See the Association of Federal, State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) report "The Evidence is Clear: Crime Shouldn't Pay":

"The rapid increase in inmate populations has caused a number of jurisdictions to come under court order to reduce overcrowding in jails and prisons. At the beginning of 1998, 44 of 52 (state and federal government) corrections systems surveyed operated at or above capacity. In addition, 141 institutions were affected by court orders affecting population limits. In this frenzied climate, corporate America has found a way to generate profits by building and operating correctional facilities. Overcrowding is the most common reason cited by governments that turn to for-profit firms. Another rationale for privatizing prisons is the notion that privatization saves money. After more than a decade of experience with for-profit corrections facilities in this country, there is no clear evidence that for-profit prisons save taxpayer dollars. There are numerous examples in which for-profit prison firms:
· Get very favorable contractual terms that wind up costing taxpayers more;
· Provide low-paying jobs and inadequate benefits to employees;
· Experience a very high degree of employee turnover and understaffing;
· Avoid paying property and income taxes;
· Stick governments with the liability for their mistakes; and,
· Endanger public safety."

- AFSCME, from the report "The Evidence is Clear: Crime Shouldn't Pay" [source]

For more information on this and other issues, visit AFSCME on the Internet.