Privatization in Correctional Facilities - Essay Sample

Introduction

Good management is a critical factor which ensures the quality at prisons is excellent. Cases of failure of prisons can be attributed to mismanagement of these correctional institutions (Logan, 1996). Recently, there has been a development in the number of private entities that can fund, create, own, operate and offer management of prisons. The administration is under contract from either the state, local or the federal government departments. The privatization of prisons relates to the act of giving contracts to private firms by either the state, federal or local government to finance, manage and operate prisons (Eisen, 2017). The department has shown significant growth and proves that it can save government funds. Also, the privatization can maintain or improve the managerial level and operations within the prisons (Logan, 1996). This work offers an analysis of the importance of the privatization of prisons comparing them to the public correctional facilities. The management differences, roles and the issues faced in the correctional facilities.

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The first notable difference between the public and private correctional facilities is job satisfaction levels (Logan, 1996). Prison workers usually display their grievances through their administration. The job satisfaction can be analyzed using various factors such as the institution is the best place to work, if the worker would love to go to another correctional facility or if the worker would enjoy continuing working in the facility. The staff at private institutions lack grievances forwarded to the administration and explain that there are no significant complaints filed. High morale for workers can be attributed to a worker's satisfaction (Moyle, 1992). An example of high achievement is the prison warden had the power to hire a fire or suspend a worker. The flexibility allows the warden to perform the duties allocated. The hiring process is longer at public prisons compared to private institutions, and the process of changing roles to the personnel is tedious (Logan, 1996). There is a great work environment at the private correctional facilities. Through great management, teamwork, and communication the working environment at the facility becomes the best. The workload at private institutions is relatively low compared to the public correctional facilities.

Another difference which plays advantage to the private correctional facilities is the relationship between the personnel and management. Active management is exhibited using excellent communication and a relationship which is positive among the workers. Private facilities praised their administrators as compared to the public prisons (Logan, 1996). The authority present at the private correctional facilities is more decentralized than those at federal prisons. Hence, the personnel at work feel that they are in charge of their work and control of their jobs. The long chains of commands at public prisons offer a hindrance to the management and decisions of the prison. Choices at the private institutions are flexible and require them to be within the bureaucracy at the state. The public or state prison's management showcases favoritism through for the staff members and inmates alike (Harding, 2018). Cases of bias are minimized in the private prisons since the institutions are driven to ensure equality of the workers together with offering the best working conditions (Wislon, 2016). Therefore, the performance of personnel determines the promotion opportunities.

Besides, the level of education and training exhibited by the personnel at the private correctional facilities is higher compared to that of the public prisons although; most of the staff had only completed high school. On a training index, the private institution had a higher level of trained personnel provided compared to that of the public prisons. The training at both public and private institutions is similar. The state provides training to the private jails a similar practice it offers the federal correctional officers, and the management ensured it was facilitated (Logan, 1996).

Although private prisons offer some benefits compared to public prisons, there are some cons it faces. First, the private institutions decide on the prisoners it wants to house. Private institutions are driven by profit; hence they are highly likely to choose prisoners with a lower security risk (Eisen, 2017). Also, the workers at the private prisons are at higher risk of being violently attacked by the prisoners. The waivers given to the private jails allow them to under-staff the personnel at times (Wislon, 2016). Therefore, they depend on the inmates to manage themselves and reduce cases of violence on their own.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the effective management of a prison ensures perfect performance of an institution. An advantage is seen in Private prisons about how they have better staff job satisfaction, better training, and education levels plus better communication and management relations. The private prisons are however faced with various disadvantages such as the institution choosing only inmates it finds to be less risky. Also, the institutions' personnel are at a higher risk of being violently attacked by the prisoners they are manning. Therefore, I believe the prisons should be privatized since they perform their duties well regardless of the challenges or inhibitors it faces. They are proving that with proper management the best performance can be attained.

References

Eisen, L. B. (2017). Inside private prisons: An American dilemma in the age of massincarceration. Columbia University Press.

Harding, R. (2018). Private prisons and public accountability. Routledge.

Logan, C. H. (1996). Public vs. private prison management: A case comparison. Criminal JusticeReview, 21(1), 62-85.

Moyle, P. (1992). Privatising Prisons-The Underlying Issues. Alternative LJ, 17, 114.

Wilson, O. S. (2016). The Accountability of Private Prisons in America During the Era of MassIncarceration.