Question

In: Economics

Are privately operated prisons efficient or inefficient? Give an explanation of your answer based on economics.

Are privately operated prisons efficient or inefficient? Give an explanation of your answer based on economics.

Solutions

Expert Solution

A private prison is a detention facility run by a corporation under contract with the federal or state government. The company which runs the prison is paid to house the prisoners by the government. Private companies can take over an existing government-run jail, or they can create a new facility that will act as a private prison.

The key advantage planned for private prisons is for the government to save money by putting inmates in contract facilities. The company is responsible for the funds needed to save the government money for daily operations, hiring, defense, meals etc. The sum the government has paid to the private prison for holding the prisoners is thought to be much less than running a whole jail.

Prison overcrowding is another important factor that has contributed to the use of private prisons. Usually, contract facilities will hold more prisoners, thus reducing overcrowding in existing, government-operated prisons. The government will also save money on running expenses by reducing the population of traditional jails, which allow less personnel which resources to operate the jail.

Private prisons will employ a full workforce to operate the jail, including guards, chefs, doctors and nurses, clerks in procurement, administrative assistance, etc. This generates multiple opportunities for the community and helps the local economy, which is an benefit of private prison operations.


Related Solutions

Provide some important examples of how a privately operated insurance system contributes to a market-based economy.
Provide some important examples of how a privately operated insurance system contributes to a market-based economy.
Answer each of the following statements True/False/Uncertain. Give a full explanation of your answer. A) If...
Answer each of the following statements True/False/Uncertain. Give a full explanation of your answer. A) If consumers have negatively correlated reservation prices, bundling is a profitmaximizing strategy. B) Vertical arrangements (integration, exclusive dealing, etc.) can be used to reinforce cartel participation. C) Market-based recoupment is necessary for predatory pricing to be successful. D) Ownership (or procurement) of intellectual property (patents, copyrights, etc.) is a direct observation of market power. E) It is always in the best interest of society to...
Which is more hydrophilic phospholipids or cholesterol? Give an explanation for your answer and use the...
Which is more hydrophilic phospholipids or cholesterol? Give an explanation for your answer and use the structures of each to help you.
Do you believe that global markets are efficient or inefficient or some combination? Defend your position.
Do you believe that global markets are efficient or inefficient or some combination? Defend your position.
True/False Give a brief explanation for your answer ____    1.   The purpose of the work opportunity...
True/False Give a brief explanation for your answer ____    1.   The purpose of the work opportunity tax credit is to encourage employers to hire individuals from specified target groups traditionally subject to high rates of unemployment. ____   2.   Molanda sells a parcel of land for $45,000 in cash and the buyer assumes Molanda’s mortgage of $20,000 on the land. Molanda pays a real estate agent $3,000 on the trasnaction. Molanda’s amount realized is $62,000. ____    3.   Cassie purchases a sole...
Answer true or false for each statement and give a logically valid explanation to support your...
Answer true or false for each statement and give a logically valid explanation to support your answer (you can give a counterexample if it is false, or make a proof if it is true). a. The multiplication of two irrational numbers is an irrational number. b. The set {( 1−n/ n , 8n+1/ n ) |n ∈ N } is an open covering of (−1, 8]. c. The sequence {( 1−3n /n + (−1)n ) |n ∈ N } has...
6D2. From an economic perspective, are unions efficient or otherwise? Give reasons for your answer. What...
6D2. From an economic perspective, are unions efficient or otherwise? Give reasons for your answer. What objectives do unions serve? Are there other, more economically efficient, methods to achieve these objectives? What might those methods be?
Answer each of the following statements True/False/Uncertain. Give a full explanation of your answer including graphs...
Answer each of the following statements True/False/Uncertain. Give a full explanation of your answer including graphs where appropriate. (When in doubt, always include a full labeled graph.) A) An individual’s Marginal Rate of substitution is different at every point along his or her price consumption path. B) Quasi-Linear utility, Cobb-Douglas utility, and perfect substitutes are each able to characterize an individual having interior and corner solutions for a positive level of consumption. C) Consider the following three consumption bundles (X1,X2)=(10,10)...
Produce a 2/3 page explanation on Applications of PDEs in Engineering,Science and Economics. In your explanation...
Produce a 2/3 page explanation on Applications of PDEs in Engineering,Science and Economics. In your explanation you should give three detailed examples. One ex- ample should involve a PDE from an area of Engineering, one example from Science and one from Economics. In at least one example you should discuss the solution to your PDE and how this has practical implications
Is economics a science? Why, or why not? As part of your response and explanation, include...
Is economics a science? Why, or why not? As part of your response and explanation, include the definitions of “science” and “economics” as you understand them.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT