Cost–benefit analysis and privatized corrections

Abstract

Research Summary Privatized corrections and cost–benefit analyses have both been around for a long time in American criminal justice policy and practice. Accordingly, in this article, I review the cost–benefit literature on correctional privatization with respect to three primary issues: (1) what we know from the cost–benefit analyses that have been conducted thus far regarding privatized corrections, (2) the key gaps and challenges that should be addressed if we are to truly understand the “social ledger” associated with privatizing correctional services, and (3) key lessons learned regarding the limited role that cost–benefit analysis plays in policy discussions about punishment policy. Policy Implications The primary implication for policy is that, for the most part, what we know about the cost‐effectiveness of privatized corrections has been confined to studies of private prisons. Alternatively, on balance, we know little about the cost‐effectiveness of privatized corrections more generally. And even if rigorous cost–benefit analyses did exist in larger quantities, they would still have to face the strong ideological commitment that both proponents and opponents of privatized corrections seem to hold.

Equal or not? Private versus public corrections services, programming, and climate

“…More recently, Gaes () argued that there is no clear conclusion regarding overall differences in the quality, costs, and outcomes of private versus public confinement. (For most recent reviews of empirical studies aimed at examining costs and backend outcomes, see other articles in this issue, such as Butts & Pfaff, ; Gaes, ; Pratt, ; and Harris, Smith, & Obara, . )…”

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

“…Scholars have made considerable advances in the empirical understanding of privatization. Although research to date does not clearly identify whether publicly run or privately run prisons constitute the “better” approach (Gaes, 2019; Pratt, 2019), it does illuminate many complexities relevant to the privatization debate. Drawing on prior research, we argued that the media may portray private prisons in ways that obscure these complexities.…”

Going private: Are private prisons cost‐saving options for states?

“…Although the decision to use private prisons is based on many factors other than correctional expenditures, such as the need to increase the capacity of prisons within a state, cost containment has been the primary motivation for their use (Kim & Price, 2014). Prior cost-benefit analyses have failed to demonstrate any clear cost advantage to states contracting out their prison services (Pratt, 2019). Part of the difficulties in seeking to capture cost cuts by contracting prison services lies in the inherent differences between public and private prisons.…”