Public opinion and correctional privatization

Abstract

Research Summary: Slightly more than half of all states and the federal government currently have contracted with private prison corporations for the incarceration of some of their correctional populations. We use the literature on privatization of prisons to argue that we know surprisingly little about the public's perception of this phenomenon. We summarize what is known from the thin body of research into public opinion in the correctional domain, and then we argue for an expanded research agenda to develop a more extensive (and nuanced) understanding of public perceptions in this context.Policy Implications: Private correctional facilities run by for-profit companies, and the privatization of correctional services beyond institutions, have proliferated despite little knowledge regarding public support for the expansion of privatization in the correctional domain. Given that public opinion, or at least perceptions of those opinions, can directly or indirectly influence policy, we argue that expanding our knowledge of the nature, direction, and malleability of public opinion has substantial policy implications for the future of prison privatization. K E Y W O R D S corrections, for-profit prisons, private prisons, privatization, public opinion, public perception(s), public support According to the authors of a recent Sentencing Project (2018) report, 27 states and the federal government currently incarcerate a portion of their correctional populations in privately owned and operated prisons. Nationally, 8.5% of all those currently incarcerated across the United States are incarcerated in privately owned prisons with New Mexico and Montana leading all other states by incarcerating 43.1% and 38.8% of their prison populations in private prisons, respectively. In 2016,

The politics of correctional privatization in the United States

“…We know surprisingly little about what the public thinks of correctional privatization (Frost, Trapassi, & Heinz, ). Overall, support for prison privatization seems mixed.…”

Simplifying Reality: The Media’s Portrayal of the Private Prison Debate

“…For example, news stories may instead reflect the views of the public. That said, the public’s views on private prisons remain largely unknown (Frost et al, 2019). Similarly, it may be that the stories give primary weight to politicians’ views.…”

“…Based on extant empirical research on private prisons, it is unclear whether they are more or are less effective or cost-efficient than public prisons. It is also largely unknown where the public stands on the use of private prisons (Frost et al, 2019). Against this backdrop, scholarship has shown that the debate about private prisons entails a more complex calculus than simply cost-efficiency or public views about the ethics of relying on private companies to manage punishment (e.g., Austin & Coventry, 2001; Lindsey et al, 2016; C.…”

Privatized corrections in the 21st century

“…Some approaches, however, may help to shed light on them. For example, public opinion surveys can help to illuminate the conditions under which citizens support privatization (see Frost, Trapassi, & Heinz, , this issue). Perhaps support would be enhanced if private entities had to demonstrate greater effectiveness in reducing recidivism or improving reentry outcomes.…”