There didn't really seem to be a good place to put this, but I caught snippets of "NOW" tonight on PBS, and it was about the federal and state governments out-sourcing prisoners. Apparently, this is a booming business. These companies have share holders and set up booths at corrections conventions to get more business. The largest of the private companies, CCA or ACC, something like that, actually has physical custody of ONE-FIFTH!!! of the inmates in the nation!
Now somehow, these companies manage to turn a profit while spending about $15 less per inmate than the government. Sound good? I wonder. There was an interview with a former female guard who went to go move a violent inmate with another guard, and apparently the male guard got scared and RAN, and left her all alone for HALF AN HOUR. She was in tears during the interview, and although I don't think it was said specifically what happened, I can about imagine.
There was another instance where the inmates rioted, and all the guards just took off!! Local (outside) law enforcement had to come in to put down the riot. What's more, the companies have a vested interest in staying full, and the implication was that these companies actually lobby for stricter sentencing and parole guidelines and don't work to rehab inmates, thereby creating a revolving door.
Now, here's the kicker. There are 35 states in the nation where at least one of the companies has a facility. Guess who's on the list? How come I've been a life-long resident of this state and not known about this? Is it one or all of the juvenile facilities? Does anyone know? I for one would like to know more about this. Janna, who at the Argus can look into this, or has it been looked into and I just missed it? Anyone else curious or concerned?
There didn't really seem to be a good place to put this, but I caught snippets of "NOW" tonight on PBS, and it was about the federal and state governments out-sourcing prisoners. Apparently, this is a booming business. These companies have share holders and set up booths at corrections conventions to get more business. The largest of the private companies, CCA or ACC, something like that, actually has physical custody of ONE-FIFTH!!! of the inmates in the nation!
Now somehow, these companies manage to turn a profit while spending about $15 less per inmate than the government. Sound good? I wonder. There was an interview with a former female guard who went to go move a violent inmate with another guard, and apparently the male guard got scared and RAN, and left her all alone for HALF AN HOUR. She was in tears during the interview, and although I don't think it was said specifically what happened, I can about imagine.
There was another instance where the inmates rioted, and all the guards just took off!! Local (outside) law enforcement had to come in to put down the riot. What's more, the companies have a vested interest in staying full, and the implication was that these companies actually lobby for stricter sentencing and parole guidelines and don't work to rehab inmates, thereby creating a revolving door.
Now, here's the kicker. There are 35 states in the nation where at least one of the companies has a facility. Guess who's on the list? How come I've been a life-long resident of this state and not known about this? Is it one or all of the juvenile facilities? Does anyone know? I for one would like to know more about this. Janna, who at the Argus can look into this, or has it been looked into and I just missed it? Anyone else curious or concerned?