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| Private Prison Debate Takes Off |
| By stuff.co.nz |
| Published: 04/15/2010 |
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OPINION: The Government has followed through with another one of its controversial election promises – exploring the rare territory of PPPs, or public-private partnerships. First up are plans to go into an arrangement with private contractors and operators to help build and run a 1000-bed men's prison on Corrections Department land in South Auckland. And they plan to eventually expand beyond prisons. But for now, that is their focus. Opponents of PPPs say that they shift the emphasis away from what should be a publicly provided asset into the hands of a private operator whose priority is to return a profit for shareholders or business owners. Other fears include a lack of transparency when it comes to accountability and costs. But the Government believes there are significant benefits to be had and big savings for taxpayers by teaming up with a private partner. The Government does not have a bottomless pit of money and ways of identifying savings should be and are explored. Read More. |
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This is a terrible idea by the New Zealand government - any cursory examination of the private prison industry in the US, UK, or South Africa will clearly demonstrate how bad a decision these ventures always turn out to be. They consistently have higher levels of staff turnover, violence and escapes among inmates (even though they only hold low-risk and nonviolent prisoners), and staff-on-inmate assaults. Private prison operators in the US aren't subject to open records or FOIA laws, so they operate in an essentially governmental capacity, without the requisite public/taxpayer oversight. They lobby for, and contribute to candidates who support, tougher sentencing laws and restrictions on rehabilitation programs to ensure more people will go to prison. And they face constant battles in court for failing to provide even the bare minimum of human necessities. I hope and pray that New Zealand comes to their senses and nips this sure-to-be mess in the bud before it comes to fruition. For tons of info on the deplorable business practices of the private prison industry, check out http://whyihatecca.blogspot.com