Advocates of privately-operated prisons and jails con sider them to be a solution to the problems of overcrowding and high costs which characterize corrections systems in the United States. This paper discusses such issues as the cost- effectiveness, the quality, and public accountability of privately-operated prisons. It also examines the treat ment of employees in privately-operated prisons. It concludes that public jurisdictions should closely exam ine claims that prison privatization produces savings for taxpayers and results in better quality services.
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