In: Economics
Private prisons are established for profit. They are contracted by a government agency. its main function is to physically confine or incarcerate people.
It offers following benefits and has a certain drawbacks:
1. Decreased cost of holding prisoners.
2. It increases positive relationships between inmates and correctional workers as an informal environment can be created there.
3. Fewer conflicts as compared to state prisons.
Drawbacks:
1. As types of prisoners kept are different, costs and benefits study does not give proper conclusion about private prisons benefits.
2. Regulation is difficult and profit orientation can not be reduced and private prisons may underpay staff and quality may be compromised.
It should be noted that is is also a service and market forces may offer better prisons. A type of prisoners should be defined and only kept there to make sure that regulations are followed.
In my opinion. private prisons are good for young people as counselling and care may be better there. Informal environment may change them for betterment.