The Privatization of Corrections: Methodological Issues and Dilemmas Involved in Evaluative Research

The corporate context of private prisons

“…Also, since for-profit private correctional institutions run by corporations are relatively new, there is very little collected data available that could serve as evaluative benchmarks. Similarly, there may be some reluctance from the management and staff to fully cooperate with the researchers (Durham, 1988), although Roberts and Powers (1985) claim that the evaluation of private prisons is not much different from that of other prisons. Nevertheless, there is a lack of adequate evaluation of the performance of private prisons (Durham, 1989).…”

Private prisons: Problems within the solution

“…The evaluation also concluded that "while the operation of a formerly public sector facility by a nonprofit organization has shown both positive and negative features, in general this example of the private sector in corrections reveals no strong support for this management alternative." Roberts and Powers (1985), however, challenge the method by which Levinson evaluated the relative costs of public and private management• Camp and Camp (1985) note that CCA's Silverdale Penal Farm in Chattanooga, Tennessee sustained $200,000 in cost overruns to the county as a result of increased inmate population due to more stringent drunk-driving laws. In addition, they write that 17 escapes took place in the first six months of operation, twice the number experienced by the county during the same period of the previous year.…”