Private Jails in the United States

Over the years, there has been an undeniable increase in mass incarceration. Sources such as The Sentencing Project report an estimate of 2 million people incarcerated at this moment.

Private jails, state prisons, and detention centers have a long history in the United States. Their history stretches back to 1852, when San Quentin was the first for-profit prison in the U.S., long before it was state-owned.

A resurgence in the private prison industry came in the 1980s. This was a result of widespread privatization. Before the 1980s, few prison services had been privatized. Federal and state authorities still held overall management.

Read on to explore the past, present, and future of private jails in the United States.

Why Private Jails Became an Attractive Option

Several different factors led to the rise of private jails, led by an overall privatization push by President Reagan.

Prison populations soared during the so-called "war on drugs." Prison overcrowding and rising costs became a contentious political issue. Private businesses stepped in to offer a solution. Policymakers agreed, and the era of privately-run U.S. prisons began.

Private prisons promised increased and cost-effective efficiency. This would result in cost savings and a decrease in the amount that the government would have to spend on the prison system. At the same time, prisons could still provide the same service. 

It was also theorized that private prisons would be held more accountable. This theory existed since private prisons could be fined or fired, while traditional prisons could not.

It was reported in the summary of a Department of Justice-funded study that owners of private property do not need licenses from state correctional agencies to build and operate detention facilities and, until recently, most state legislatures have not established regulatory systems for the states of localities to govern private prison operations.

Major Players in the Private Jail Business

Private prison companies, unlike public prisons, are big businesses. They have annual budgets in the billions. There are several large players in the private prison business. One example is Corrections Corporation of America, the GEO Group. They were formerly known as Wackenhut Securities.

Corrections Corporation of America alone owns more than 65 correctional facilities. It houses over 100,000 inmates.

The Benefits of Private Jails

The benefits provided by private jails do not match the rhetoric that came with them in the 1980s. There have been a few benefits associated with turning control of prisons over to private companies.

One such example was found in a study conducted by James Blumstein, director of the Health Policy Center at the Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies. The study found that states that used private prisons could save up to $15 million per year.

Another example comes from the U.S. Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice. It found that private prisons had a higher quality of services than traditional prisons.

The Criticisms of Private Jails

One of the most perverse incentives in the private prison system is that the more prisoners a company houses, the more it gets paid. This leads to a conflict of interest as private prisons are incentivized to not rehabilitate prisoners. If private prisons work to reduce the number of repeat offenders, they reduce the supply of profit-producing inmates.

While some studies have demonstrated that prison privatization may save federal governments money, other studies have found the opposite. Proponents of privatized prisons maintain that they are cost-effective for the state. 

An early research study by the Reason Public Policy Institute claimed 10%-15% savings over traditional prison systems. However, a study by the US Bureau of Justice Statistics found no such cost-savings when it compared public and private prisons. Other data has produced inconclusive results.

Potential Alternatives To Private Incarceration

When someone breaks the law, the usual response is to send them to jail. There are questions about whether this is the best way to deal with crime. There's been discussion about private jails, where companies make money from keeping people locked up. Some worry that this focus on profit might not be good for the people in jail or society as a whole.

People are looking for other ways to deal with crime that might be more fair. By looking at private incarceration alternatives, we can learn more about how to make our justice system better for everyone.

Community-Based Rehabilitation Programs

Community-based rehabilitation programs focus on addressing the root causes of criminal behavior and providing support services to help individuals reintegrate into society. 

These programs may include:

• Substance abuse treatment
• Mental health counseling
• Vocational training
• Educational programs tailored to the needs of the individual

By investing in these programs, communities can reduce recidivism rates and minimize reliance on incarceration.

Diversionary Tactics and Specialty Courts

Diversionary tactics involve redirecting individuals away from the traditional criminal justice system into alternative programs designed to address underlying issues without resorting to incarceration. Examples include:

• Drug courts
• Mental health courts
• Veteran courts, which offer treatment and support services as an alternative to jail time for individuals with specific needs

These specialized courts aim to reduce the burden on the prison system while addressing the unique circumstances of participants.

Restorative Justice Initiatives

Restorative justice focuses on repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior. Methods of repair include:

• Dialogue
• Mediation
• Community involvement

Instead of punishment, restorative justice emphasizes accountability, healing, and reconciliation. Restorative justice programs may involve:

• Victim-offender mediation
• Restitution
• Community service
• Conflict resolution techniques

These programs promote a more holistic and inclusive approach to addressing crime.

Investment in Social Services and Community Resources

Investing in social services and community resources is key. Doing so can address issues contributing to crime and incarceration, such as:

• Poverty
• Homelessness
• Lack of access to healthcare
• Lack of access to education

Communities can reduce delinquency and reduce incarceration rates by allocating resources to:

• Affordable housing
• Job training programs
• Mental health services
• Youth development initiatives

These measures promote social equity, opportunity, and crime prevention at the root level.

Educational and Employment Opportunities for At-Risk Populations

Providing educational and employment opportunities is another important alternative to private jails. By including individuals with criminal records, such actions can break the cycle of incarceration and poverty.

Programs can potentially offer:

• Job training
• Job placement assistance
• Apprenticeships
• Educational scholarships

These programs can empower individuals to build stable lives. They can also reduce their involvement in criminal activity.

Communities can promote economic stability and social inclusion while reducing reliance on incarceration.

Victim Support Services and Restitution Programs

Victim support services and restitution programs are essential. They prioritize the needs of crime victims. Their main concerns are victim rights and empowerment. They also provide victims with resources, assistance, and compensation to aid in their recovery.

Restitution programs require offenders to compensate victims for their losses and damages. This serves as part of their sentence and promotes accountability and restitution.

Victim advocacy initiatives contribute to a more victim-centered approach to justice and rehabilitation.

Protect Your Constitutional Rights With Help From a Civil Rights Attorney

Whether in a private or a government-run prison, a constant concern is the treatment of inmates. The Constitution guarantees certain human rights regardless of who operates the facility. This is true for state and federal prisoners. While private companies claim to be about helping prisoners, there's a concern they see prisons as a piggy bank.

Were your rights violated as an inmate? If so, speak with a civil rights attorney about filing a claim.