The Socioeconomics of The American Correctional System

      The Socioeconomic of the American Correctional System

     The American correctional system is a lucrative multi-billion dollar industry for the private sector.  Contractors who build America’s prisons are kept busy by the massive prison construction efforts endorsed by get tough on crime state and federal officials.  The get tough on crime prison building campaign is costing the tax payer dearly, but they are not sharing in the immense profits gained by contractors and private prison owning corporations such as Wackenhut.  Private Citizens are persuaded by government officials that their tax dollars are being spent for the cause of community safety, but what is the return for this spending.  Over 50% percent of inmates released in most states re offend and return to prison, renewing their burden on taxpayers.  It appears that the only ones profiting from the prison industrial complex are contractors, private prison owners, and in some cases politicians.

     The privatization of prisons has been endorsed by many politicians as a cost effective correctional alternative.  Although there are some economic benefits to society from the privatization of prisons, there is a new danger created by their use.  Private prisons and jails rely on a steady supply of inmates to supply the labor needs of prison industries, which produce products that privatized prison owners are at liberty to sale for profit.  This creates a dangerous situation where there is more profit to be gained from offenders committing crimes and going to privatized jails and prisons, than  there are for programs that help at risk youth steer away from a life of crime, that will lead them to incarceration.  The profitability of privatized prisons could create an atmosphere that would emphasize inmate labor, over rehabilitation programs that could prevent offenders from re offending and returning to prison.  The current recidivism rate of 50% or more will keep privatized prison owners supplied with experienced inmate labor, in addition to offenders entering the system for the first time.

The apparent profitability of the prison industrial complex may lead to an environment where the rebuilding and revitalization of poverty stricken inner city neighborhoods, will be deemphasized due to these areas being viewed as criminal breeding grounds that will continue to supply the privatized prison industrial complex with a steady labor force.