Prison Privatization in America: Costs and Benefits

The costs and benefits of prison privatization continue to provoke vigorous debate, says Dr. Melvin Mahone, even as irrefutable evidence mounts demonstrating that the private sector has the capacity, opportunity and commitment to meet and exceed the professional standards of contemporary corrections.

Mahone, a social justice specialist, outlines the arguments and concludes 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.

Moreover, based on his 11 critical questions asked in interviews, Mahone maintains that the social impact of having privatized prisons should engender a better quality of life for the inmate and the public.