Advantages and Disadvantages of Private Prisons and Jails Essay

In the coupled States, prison house house overcrowding and budget cuts inwardly the criminal justice system bedevil lead to an increase in the give and the development of hugger-mugger prisons and jails. harmonise to Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2010), A mysterious prison is a institutionalize in which individuals atomic number 18 physic eithery contain by a third companionship that is contracted by a local, allege, or federal government agency. mystical prison companies typically enter into contractual agreements with local, earth, or federal governments that commit prisoners and accordingly endure a per diem or monthly post for each prisoner confined in the facility (Private Prisons, para. ).There atomic number 18 several(prenominal) advantages and disadvantages to personal prisons and jails, as well as counterpoint. The government believes that contracting with reputable sequestered firms is one elan to cut live in prisons and eliminate overcrowding. Stud ies have shown that backstage prison construction is 24% de goodise than solid ground built systems (Reed, 2003). Along with acidulated court, a hole-and-corner(a) facility leave alone allow the government to increase lodgment capacities at a rapid rate. For instance in Houston, Texas a freshly in-migration and Naturalization Service facility was estimated to cost $26,000 per bed and built in 30 months through government construction (Reed, 2003).A toffee-nosed firm did the job at $14,000 per bed and took less than six months to mannequin (Reed, 2003). With the cost of construction being decrease and time besidesd, overcrowding was also reduced. Private facilities send word offer officials powerful tools to fit close conduct (Segal, 2001). Private contracts sight be a powerful tool a masterst the laugh at of potence. An effective performance-based facility get out pay back esoteric firms for providing the worry earthly dread officials require, and penalise firms for breaking such(prenominal) contract (Segal, 2001). Private firms fundament offer states much flexibility in planning and designing (Reed, 2003).A private firm will be forced to ingest the unexclusives gumshoe and inmates interference at a high precedence to avoid negative attention. Many private prison and jail contracts specify a daily rate of reimbursements per prisoner. The private promoter and the state would select a fixing where, the prison can be grow if need be. The procedure of a private facility could be managed by statutory authority, which is a nongovernmental unit, or frequent trust, consistent to a contract with the unify States. The statutory Authority could grant housing disquiet and control of a minimum or medium security level prison owned or operated by a contractor (G. J, 1998). few disadvantages to privatizing prisons and jails ar the deficiency of physical liberties and that the private sector would gain financially. When financi al gain becomes the motive for operation the prison, competition begins and the quality of operation and condole with decreases. When quality decreases problems arise. The focus is lost and change magnitude the operations of the prison can increase. With privatizing prisons the seek is hotfoot that companies may cut corners, make c beless mistakes, and be beneathstaffed.An understaffed prison presents a high risk for the officers as well as inmates and public safety in the event of an escape. ane should posit will the private officers receive the similar quality of information that government certified guards receive. Privately track prisons and jails will non deliver the same quality of business in securing the surrounding communities. By privatizing the make headway margin compromises public safety. Whether a prison is privately or publicly run one could identify advantages and disadvantages socially and logistically. Some believe by privatizing a prison a decline i n new inmates would occur.This belief is based on the point that private prisons would not offer the luxuries of public prisons. For example, public prisons and jails be governed by regulations to provide quality mental and aesculapian c are for the inmates. Inmates in public prisons are afforded a library, college educations, and many some other amenities he or she could not afford on his or her own. Therefore many inmates canvas public prison a vacation to dominate secured housing during different seasons as well as an opportunity to obtain quality checkup care when he or she needs it.Today there are various debates concerning safeguarding a prisoners organic fostered experts, and the states authority to abide by those propers in line of battle to protect the states and citizens interest. The concern of the prisoner is that they are empower to rights whether they are convicted wrongdoers or suspected offenders. These rights involve due process and everyone accused o r found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt has such rights under the constitution of the United States.Contrary to this is the public interest as well as the state and policy makers that moldinessiness curve to make their state more high-octane to service of process public interest. One must(prenominal) understand that people make mistakes and are still held accountable for their actions. Even more so if one commits a crime, such as capital murder, rape, armed robbery, and so forth they are breaking state and moral laws. Offenders that commit such crimes are all given due process and are entitled to a sensible trial. If an offender found guilty and judgment of convictiond to prison, some constitutional rights should not be violated.However, there are rights that must be interpreted away. The stolon right taken is their freedom, which means that they will be incarcerated behind bars until their sentence is complete. This is the punishment itself however, when some rights are t aken away by the government then it becomes a violation under the constitutional law. When prisoners are in incarcerated they retain the right to humane treatment and have their primary needs fulfilled, regardless of their crimes. Prisons under state law must provide medical examination exam care for offenders, as well as making sure that they are in good health and are acquiring medical attention.Individuals that are incarcerated also have other rights in prisons that must be met some of these rights include, the right not to be punished cruelly or unusually, the rights to administrative appeals, the right to practice religion freely, the right to medical treatment (both long and nobble marge), and the right to personal property such as cigarettes, stationary, a watch, cosmetics, and snack food. checkup treatment includes treatment for diseases such as, cancer, HIV, TB, brass problems, high blood pressure, and other medical conditions one may encounter.The United States must obey by these rules to provide medical care, according to Fellner (2010) The first of the eleven principles in the United Nations (UN) canonic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners states on the whole prisoners shall be set with the admiration due to their inherent gravitas and value as human beings. venerate for the dignity of patients is, of course, also central to medical ethics. For example, the code of ethics of the World checkup Association states that physicians shall be dedicated to providing suitable medical service with compassion and respect for human dignity (para. 5).Throughout the United States prisons and jails carry out their duties in hostel to have public appeal and serve in favor of the public interest. One must recognize that the states and policy makers must provide protection against prisoners even slice they are incarcerated. Although prisoners have rights some are lost in order to go for order in prisons, discipline, and security. These beha viors include combat with other inmates, disrespecting punitory officers, and involvement in illegal activity. The state must run an institution that is not only mediocre but that does not accept remote behavior.Inmates that are convicted have a term to serve and must look at the prison lifestyle as a punishment, thus showing the outside cosmea the consequences when a crime is committed. When an offender is convicted for a felony crime he or she loses rights that we horror such the right vote and serve in political office. The outcome varies by state. The fact remains that even after(prenominal) an inmate has served his or her time in prison, they will continue to have state and public interest in their way to fall full a modal(prenominal) life as they are tagged with a stigma.The government has the right to protect its citizens from all that may be in the best interest of the people and states. According to Law. Jrank. org (n. d. ) With respect to the states, the Tenth Ame ndment provides that the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. In other words, the states retain their police power to decree laws for the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens (Present-Day Relationship between interior(a) Government & States, para. ).There are many remedies to the conflict of deriving from private prisons and jails. Remedies depend upon personal opinion and public interest. Politicians for the most part conclude that private prisons and jails are an extra expenditure that the governments can do away with. In contrast, a political view may that not having to build new facilities can pen money. A culturedian employee working within the corrections system may argue that the staff at a private facility may not be trained as efficiently as one trained by the state or county.This can be combated if governments abide by a policy such a s that used in the State of Florida. All state corrections officers whether employed at a public or private facility receive the same training at a state authentic correctional training facility, overseen by the Florida segment of Law Enforcement. The conflict of most concern would be the rights of prisoners How to maintain an orderly correctional facility and not impede on the Constitutional rights of inmates. In all facilities the civil rights of inmates are an issue.It is all too free to violate the civil rights of an inmate. To remedy this conflict facility administration need to ensure that their staff is aware of the limited rights of inmates as well as the consequences for the violation of those rights. In conclusion, the use of private prisons and jails come with advantages and disadvantages as does anything. The use of such facilities can save governments money. The use of the same such facilities can raise concern. The public safety and the fair treatment of prisoners i s the ultimate goal and should be considered at all costs.