The commercial context of criminal justice: Prison privatisation and the perversion of purpose

Abstract

Examines, with reference to private sector involvement in the running of prisons, the impact of free market principles on Government efforts to balance public protection with the rights of the individual. Reviews the aims of several policy statements, the role of private finance in the prison expansion programme, key features of the administration of private prisons and the harmful effects on the prison service of managerial techniques such as performance targets. Argues that a "value for money" ideology is unsuitable for delivering the balance of competing rights sought by official policy.