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[Bentendo]

I was just sitting here and I realized something -- I have absolutely no idea what a private prison is or how it works. Now, I know I could use Google or Wikipedia to look this up, but it's always more interesting to see what your guys' opinions on these things are, especially since I literally know very little if anything about them.

I guess my biggest question about private prisons is: how in the hell do they make money? I really can't think of any conceivable way that a private prison could make money, probably because I don't really know how they work.

But I'd also kind of like to know what your opinion on private prisons are. I personally don't have one because, like I said, I don't really know what they are.

 

[Callo Merlose]

There was a privatized prison in a recent episode of Green Lantern. There, they torture their prisoners and eat them. Also, Arkham City is a private prison. That's all you need to know.

 

[Pandaman]

governments pay them to house inmates.
sometimes the inmates act as cheap labour.

 

[ComputerMKII]

The government makes a call for offers then signs a contract with whoever can build and manage prisons for the least amount of money.

 

[Bentendo]

But doesn't that seem... I don't know, dangerous? I'm not saying that all government run prisons are perfectly safe, but I just can't imagine a prison focused exclusively on making money is a good thing and that they would hire enough people to even manage the place. The thought of it just irks me.

 

[Kosmo]

The government pays them to house prisoners, which creates a conflict of interest, as no prisoners = no need to a private prison. Thus the owners of those prisons lobby politicians to pass laws that will bring in more prisoners (e.g. simple drug possession, mandatory minimum sentences, etc.). Not to mention that many of these prisoners are then used basically as slave-wage labor, it's ludicrous.

 

[Wolf Dawgz]

I'm not entirely educated on the subject,but I think they make money for how many prisoners they get. The competition is suppose to encourage the private prisons to have the most secure prison at a cheaper price. So when somebody is being sentenced the judge has the option on where they will go and the government(not sure which branch for the U.S) pays for it. Rehabilitation rates may also provide more value for the prison although that is pure speculation.

 

[shock33]

Pretty sure at one point they were making a fortune supplying equipment to the us military like helmets and shovels, though I believe that finished when they had to recall a massive number of helmets.

I'm sure I read somewhere they got a contract for body armour recently as well.

 

[dave is ok]

There are certain industries which should never be privatized because of obvious conflicts of interest. Prisons and health care are the top two. Well done, America.

 

[Hambone]

Three strikes laws are good for business.

 

[noah111]

There are certain industries which should never be privatized because of obvious conflicts of interest. Prisons and health care are the top two. Well done, America.

I approve this post. All you're forgetting is the banking industries.

 

[Beerman462]

The governmen pays them to house prisoners, which creates a conflict of interest, as no prisoners = no need to a private prison. Thus the owners of those prisons lobby politicians to pass laws that will bring in more prisoners (e.g. simple drug possession, mandatory minimum sentences, etc.). Not to mention that many of these prisoners are then used basically as slave-wage labor, it's ludicrous.

This is how I feel about it.