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In recent years the debate over the privatization of prisons has
reached an acrimonious stalemate. Opinions remain sharply divided, mostly
along ideological lines. Criminologists and penologists on the right
generally favor private prisons, while those of the left favor public
prisons. There is a third alternative, however, that has been completely
ignored. The private, not-for-profit prison contains the potential to
maximize the advantage of both the public and the private prison, while at
the same time minimizing the disadvantages of each. In addition, dedicated
and talented professionals, who are primarily committed to penal reform
and correctional innovation would be readily attracted to the private,
not-for-profit prison. Finally, existing foundations and professional
organizations, such as the Philadelphia Prison Society, the Edna McConnell
Clark Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the American Correctional
Association, and even the American Society of Criminology, are encouraged
to establish their own not-for-profit prison.
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Updated 05/20/2006