Do you support Private or for-profit Prisons?

[Maxwell]

The issue of private prisons has become an issue in a lot of states, like my state Oklahoma, and a lot of other states have them too. This is mostly to see where Republicans stand on this: because I know Democrats oppose it, and most Independents here are Democrat-leaning, so I imagine they will oppose such a policy.

And personally, this is something I agree with Democrats on. Private Prisons have, in practice, caused more corruption in our system, and even on paper, the incentive system is confusing at best. Outsourcing our major punishment system to the private industry is probably not the best idea.

No (I)

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

No, it's a perversion of the very idea of justice system. And making it for profit is a very dangerous path.

[AggregateDemand]

My gut says "no", but bureaucratic lobbying has the same corrupt incentives as private sector lobbying. "Bribes" are perhaps the only additional peril associated with private prisons.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

My gut says "no", but bureaucratic lobbying has the same corrupt incentives as private sector lobbying. "Bribes" are perhaps the only additional peril associated with private prisons.

And boy are they perilous.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

For-profit prisons—be they public or private—have the perverse incentive of having more people be jailed so as to make more money.  In theory, a not-for-profit prison run by an NGO could work, but I don't know of anyone who has even proposed such a thing.  Maybe some of the halfway houses that try to ease the transition for ex-cons returning to society, would qualify as such, but I am not aware of any not-for-profit institution that would try to hold and rehabilitate the prisoners from day one of their sentence.

[SWE]

No

[MurrayBannerman]

Private non-profit prisons could be doable, but not for-profit.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

No. I don't really see the point.  The state is still sending people there through use of force.  It's not like what we are talking about here involves anything remotely like a free market; its not like prisoners are paying for the cost of prison and get to decide where they'd like to stay.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Yes

[RedSLC]

No, it's a perversion of the very idea of justice system. And making it for profit is a very dangerous path.

This. Private prisons should be banned.

[Sasquatch]

Hell no.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Yes

... [Personal attack redacted by Torie]

What on God's green Earth gave you the idea that you can levy personal attacks on Boards for which I am responsible, and get away with it?  Your post was reported. Don't ever do it again please within my range of jurisdiction. I will give you PM notice of this comment. Thanks.

Torie.

[Deus Naturae]

Private non-profit prisons could be doable, but not for-profit.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

No. I see no advantage and the disadvantages are obvious.

[Cassius]

No. I disapprove of outsourcing one of the state's core responsibilities (the prison system) to private hands.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

No. I disapprove of outsourcing one of the state's core responsibilities (the prison system) to private hands.

Yeah, the prison system is non negotiable.

Yes

... Torie redaction of the redux

Stop.

[TDAS04]

Absolutely not.

[WalterMitty]

mixed feelings.

in theory, yes i do.  they can probably run things better than the government.

however, with profit involved that may lead to the desire for more and more prisoners.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Of course not. This is one of the most basic responsibilities of any government, and I see no possible incentive any private entity would have to do a better job of it.

[H. Ross Peron]

No. I disapprove of outsourcing one of the state's core responsibilities (the prison system) to private hands.

[Indy Texas]

Moderate Hero Answer: It depends.

Republicans/conservatives err in treating outsourcing as subject to some unwritten law of being inherently and always the optimal solution. They forget that if they really want to run government "like a business" they would understand that businesses do not outsource all functions of their operations and it would be illogical to expect the public sector to do so.

I could foresee a situation where, for example, some scandal erupted at a state prison and necessitated the firing of a sizable portion of its staff. And in order to keep the prison operational, it might be preferable (or the only feasible option) to hire an outside contractor on a temporary basis until long-term staffing issues can be settled.

Apart from that, I can't think of a situation where a private vendor would be preferable. 90% of the time, it's a matter of someone wanting government money to do something the government could do better itself.

[Zioneer]

No, it's a perversion of the very idea of justice system. And making it for profit is a very dangerous path.

This. Private prisons should be banned.

[TNF]

I oppose prisons, period.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

I oppose prisons, period.

So what do you propose instead?  Executions?  Selling into servitude to repay the harm of their crimes? The lash?  The stock?  Crimes do require some form of punishment and prisons offer the chance for rehabilitation, even if that is too seldom offered by society these days and too seldom accepted when it is offered.

[Mordecai]

No (sane).