Prison Privatization in America: Costs and Benefits

Social scientist Dr. Melvin Mahone says that the costs and benefits of prison privatization continue to provoke vigorous debate. But irrefutable evidence mounts to show that the private sector has the capacity, opportunity and commitment to meet and exceed the professional standards of contemporary corrections. His review of the literature supports the fact that the private sector is uniquely equipped to operate efficiently, take rapid action, provide services, attract investment dollars, generate profits for investors, organize resources and conform to statutory requirements. Based on his study of the literature and hundreds of interviews, Mahone maintains that privatized prisons should engender a better quality of life for the inmate and the public.