Recidivism is an excellent revenue generator for private prisons in America. What incentives do they have to rehabilitate offenders?

2018-08-13T12:50:15-04:00

When criminal occupation is a boon for private prisons, can we honestly say those prisons don’t intentionally instigate crime to maintain one of the highest recidivism rates in the world?

Why should they care about creating productive members of society?

Why are people still going to prison for marijuana-related offenses?

Norway's prison system is much more effective, with some of the lowest recidivism rates in the world. Why don't we take a page from their playbook? Possibly because the private prisons constantly lobby for legislation in their own interest, and not the interest of the country?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 13 at 2018 12:57 PM

2018-08-13T12:57:17-04:00

Next to none. It's all about making money.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Aug 13 at 2018 1:00 PM

2018-08-13T13:00:49-04:00

Do you know what the population of private prisons is versus public? Are you honestly trying to push the idea that private prisons force the prisoners to do more crimes so they make more money? That is tinfoil hat as all get out.

The reason people go to prison in some states for MJ offenses, is because IT IS ILLEGAL! Just like you would if you partook.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2018 1:13 PM

2018-08-13T13:13:48-04:00

Trust me, as former cop, they have a tremendous burden to rehab those people. They get those prisoners based upon performance contracts with state governments.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Aug 13 at 2018 1:25 PM

2018-08-13T13:25:26-04:00

Maybe to get contracts for additional prisons.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/04/28/how-for-profit-prisons-have-become-the-biggest-lobby-no-one-is-talking-about/?utm_term=.a49c16763965

How for-profit prisons have become the biggest lobby no one is talking about

Sen. Marco Rubio is one of the biggest beneficiaries.

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Aug 13 at 2018 3:41 PM

2018-08-13T15:41:11-04:00

Why is up to the prisons to rehab criminal habitual offenders? Do you have any idea the #1 reason why rehab fails? Because it is hard for criminals to graduate. Crime, by and large, is much easier than being law abiding. It starts with the offender having a genuine desire to get clean, get better, and not break the law. It is not up to the "for profit" prisons to hold their hands through life. The vast majority of criminals I saw go to rehab had absolutely NO DESIRE to stay out of trouble. They only went to rehab to get out of jail or prison. They throw on some sob story about wanting to get clean.

In the jail system where I worked, we have many revolving door criminals. They are out for a short while, break the law, go to jail. Rehab or prison. Rinse and repeat. We had one inmate looking at a life sentence. Armed robbery of a hardware store to buy drugs. He fought his case. Used every excuse under the sun for a year to go to rehab and avoid prison. The judge granted him rehab as a "last chance" option. Do you know how long he stayed at rehab? 10 MINUTES! He left the rehab program, breaking the law. And a gun within 2 hours, again breaking the law. And trying to get drugs, again breaking the law.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Aug 13 at 2018 5:00 PM

2018-08-13T17:00:42-04:00

Just what I like about a progressive, blame someone else for an individual's actions. No one forced anyone to commit a crime and many, before going to prison were given more than one chance.

Do you know what percent of the prison population is in private prisons or is this just a talking point you picked up from somewhere? Probably not, why let a few facts spoil a misguided post. About 7% of state prisoners and about 18% of federal prisoners. The reason the feds numbers are so high, drum roll please, immigration related crime. Yes CPB and ICE have to use them because we don't have enough federal prisons to hold all of the illegals. Are you up for building more federal prisons to house them or are you a catch and release kind of guy? Let me guess....

Each of us are responsible for our own actions or inactions. Are you aware of any of the programs in private prisons to rehabilitate criminals or are you just tossing out blanket statements because you think it serves your purpose?

Then use Norway's prison systems as the model. Well there is an apples and oranges comparison. Did you know that Norway's incarceration rate is 75 per 100,000 people, compared to 707 people for every 100,000 people in the US. We have 10x the crime but let me guess, that is not the criminals fault, that is societies fault. Norway is a country of 5 million people, we have 330 million people so they are 1.5% of our population and they are a pretty isolated (mostly) homogeneous European country.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 13 at 2018 5:20 PM

2018-08-13T17:20:53-04:00

Rehabilitation should include job/career readiness; in my humble opinion. SSgt Private RallyPoint Member

Response by Maj John Bell made Aug 13 at 2018 11:40 PM

2018-08-13T23:40:37-04:00

I love how people like to hold up the Scandinavian countries as examples of what we should be. They are virtually homogeneous in race, culture, religion and language. The chance that a significant portion of the population feels disenfranchised, discriminated against, or denied opportunity is extremely low.

As far as recidivism goes, one of the things I know nothing about: How accepting are the Scandinavians of ex-cons entering the community and the work force? Is there significant difference from the US?

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Aug 13 at 2018 11:46 PM

2018-08-13T23:46:27-04:00

Make prison for the second stay worse than the first. Third stay even "worser", and so forth. When people are seriously afraid of punishment, maybe they won't commit a crime.

Response by Susan Foster made Aug 14 at 2018 10:19 AM

2018-08-14T10:19:55-04:00

It's bad enough for state-run prison. I really think we are going down the wrong road with private ones.