Prison populations in the United States have swelled over the last 20 years. Fiscal constraints at the federal, state, and local levels have left few funds available for the accommodation of new prisoners, and overcrowding is a serious problem at many of the nation’s jails and prisons. In response, correctional authorities have turned to the private sector by contracting for the construction, financing, and operation of private prisons.
Reason Foundation
Search Reason
Email Updates
Get weekly updates from Reason.
Today's Top Topics
77 Percent of Americans Oppose Raising the Gas Tax, Reason-Rupe Transportation Poll Finds
Banks Viewed Twice as Favorably as the Federal Government, Reason-Rupe Poll Finds
How the IPCC Reports Mislead the Public, Exaggerate the Negative Impacts of Climate Change and Ignore the Benefits of Economic Growth
Weighing the Watchmen: Evaluating the Costs and Benefits of Outsourcing Correctional Services
Part 1: Employing a Best Value Approach to Procurement
This Study's Materials
- Policy Study, PDF, 374.7 KB
Adrian Moore and Geoffrey Segal - Policy Summary, PDF, 536.4 KB
Adrian Moore and Geoffrey Segal
Related Materials
- Lawmakers Should Encourage Prison Health Competition, Not Ban It
Attempt to ban privatization of prison nurses is misguided
(1/19) - Embrace Competition to Lower Costs, Improve Performance in Prisons
Private sector can drive efficiency, improve offender rehabilitation and save taxpayer money
(10/12)
Prisons and Corrections 
- Lawmakers Should Encourage Prison Health Competition, Not Ban It
Attempt to ban privatization of prison nurses is misguided
(1/19) - With Automatic Spending Cuts Looming, the Federal Government Should Use Contracting
The federal government is prohibiting cost-effective partnerships with the private sector
(1/18)
Federal Government
- Lawmakers Should Encourage Prison Health Competition, Not Ban It
Attempt to ban privatization of prison nurses is misguided
(1/19) - With Automatic Spending Cuts Looming, the Federal Government Should Use Contracting
The federal government is prohibiting cost-effective partnerships with the private sector
(1/18)
Local Government
- Will States Toast Liquor Privatization in 2012?
Reviewing the landscape for divesting state alcohol monopolies
(2/3) - Maryland Announces $456m PPP to Redevelop and Operate I-95 Travel Plazas
Deal a win-win for taxpayers, business, state
(1/27)
State Government
Latest From Reason
-
Obama's Halftime Hypocrisy
On Super Bowl Sunday, America was treated to the most expensive political commercial in history.
(2/8)
-
It's Never Too Early to Finally Leave Afghanistan
The original purpose of the Afghanistan war has long been fulfilled. So why are U.S. forces still over there?
(2/8)
-
Consultant in Chief
Instead of planning to cut government, Mitt Romney is repackaging the same old Republicanism.
(2/8)
-
Romney Most Electable Candidate, Yet Gingrich in Statistical Tie Among GOP Voters
(1/31)
-
Explaining Newt?s Second Surge
Why is the disgraced former House speaker winning Republican votes?
(1/26)
-
George Washington Would Beat Out Romney as Richest President; John Kerry Would Have, Too
(1/25)
Anthony Randazzo Discusses Warren Buffett, Taxes and SOPA on Freedom Watch
On Freedom Watch, Julian Morris Discusses Breaking Up the Big Banks and Federal Power