Privatization in corrections is a trend that is assuming increasing significance. Pratt and Maahs, characterizing privatization in corrections as "a growth industry go on to note: "Rooted primarily in the political and economic context of the 1980s. The movement to privatize public services has received increasing support in response to taxpayer demands that government provide more services with fewer resources. Advocates of correctional privatization often argue from a 'public choice' theoretical perspective... holding that private entities can provide correctional services at a lower cost than governmental agencies. At best, however, the empirical evidence for this claim- - the efficiency hypothesis- - remains inconclusive" (1999, 358.)
             The practice of privatization has received its share of criticism, with concern being expressed over the possibility of prison conditions' deteriorating as the result of an effort to save money on the part of government. "Coercive confinement carries with it an obligation to meet the basic need of the prisoner, " notes Logan in this regard. "Thus, measures of health care, safety, sanitation, nutrition, and other aspects of basic living conditions are relevant. Furthermore, confinement must meet a constitutional standard of fairness and due process, so it is not just the effectiveness and efficiency, but also the procedural justice with which confinement is imposed that is important." This author goes on to characterize confinement as" much more than just warehousing" (Logan, 1992, 579.)
             The goal of confinement should be, instead, to promote the rehabilitation of prisoners and ensure that they are housed in decent and humane conditions. No one expects a prison to be a Holiday Inn, but all authorities agree that unless prisoners are assured a decent standard of living, as well as education and, job training, rehabilitation cannot take ...