The Questionable Ethics of Privatized Prisons
A rising market finding many investors these days is the private detention industry. According to data from the Department of Justice, the private prison population increased 37 percent between 2002 and 2009, and the number of privately operated prisons is increasing rapidly.
Ethics should come into question when somebody stands to profit off locking somebody else away behind bars. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) had a $17.4 million lobbying expenditure in the past decade. This is a meager expenditure considering the CCA recorded $1.7 billion in revenue in 2011 alone.
If one stands to profit by keeping someone else locked up, it would also be logical to spend lobbying money on keeping other commodities and behaviors, such as the sale and use of marijuana illegal.
In 2007, [according to what source?] there were 1,841,182 drug arrests in North America, 47 percent of which were marijuana arrests, an increase of 86,000 in just two years. With such a large portion of drug crimes having to do with marijuana, it would make sense for the private detention industry to fight its legalization tooth and nail.
There are over 2.2 million Americans in jail. In China, a country with a population four times greater than ours, there are only 1.6 million people in jail. Although having only five percent of the world's population, America is home to 25 percent of the world's incarcerated people. The privatization of prisons is sure to increase these numbers in the future.
Prisons should not be profit driven, as this provides an incentive to put an increasing number of citizens behind bars and to wreak havoc on an increasing number of lives. Prisons should be run exclusively by public authorities-federal, state, or local-as they serve a public order function. They are places to be reserved for people who cannot function in society without causing pain or damage.
And so, when a growing number of those incarcerated are locked up for victimless crimes, any ethical arguments supporting this for-profit industry become questionable indeed.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More ucba-activist News Articles
- An Engineering Major's Perspective on the Activist: Margaret Bush Reflects
- Activist Gives a Student Perspective on the News: Ben Rigney Reflects
- Activist Honors First Amendment: Scott Multner Reflects
- The Activist Exists: Shaine Jackson Reflects
Recent ucba-activist News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR UCBA-ACTIVIST
Diversity Focus Groups Report Scheduled for Jan. 14 By Activist Staff
A Look at UCBA's History Shows Growth and Demographic Changes By Ben Rigney, Activist Staff
UC Football Future By Ben Rigney, Activist Staff
Rihanna's Iconic Style Turns Heads By Brett Cummins, Activist Staff
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST UCBA-ACTIVIST NEWS
RECENT UCBA-ACTIVIST CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Tips For Improving Mental Health
- New Writers and Illustrators Win Decades-Old Science...
- Moving Resources For Military Families
- Historic Agreement Signed By Red Cross and Armed Forces
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- The Untold Story of GoDaddy Founder’s Traumatic Life a...
- La Semana del Aprendizaje Juvenil destaca las oportunidades
- BookTrib's Bites: Four Captivating Spring Reads
- Moms Kick Back with Mamaritas
- Generac Urges Americans to Prepare for Power Outages Early
- Youth Apprenticeship Week Spotlights Opportunities
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- NOW Available: Comcast Launches NOW Brand Prepaid Internet and Mobile Services Nationwide
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding