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A private prison is defined as a correctional facility managed by a third-party entity under contract with a government agency.
Answer: True
The definition provided accurately describes a private prison as a correctional facility operated by a private entity under government contract.
Private prison companies are typically paid by governments based on the number of available beds, regardless of actual occupancy.
Answer: True
Contracts for private prisons frequently stipulate payment based on the number of available beds or a per diem rate per inmate, which can incentivize occupancy.
What is the core definition of a private prison?
Answer: A correctional facility where individuals are incarcerated by a third-party entity contracted by a government agency.
The fundamental definition of a private prison involves a correctional facility managed and operated by a private entity under contract with a government agency.
How are private prison companies typically compensated by governments, according to the source?
Answer: Based on a per-diem or monthly rate for each prisoner housed or available bed.
Private prison companies are typically compensated through contractual agreements that involve per-diem rates per inmate or payments for available beds, ensuring revenue regardless of occupancy.
What historical practice in the Southern U.S. during the Reconstruction era involved leasing prisoners for labor?
Answer: Convict leasing
Convict leasing was a system prevalent in the Southern U.S. during the Reconstruction era, where prisoners were leased out for labor.
A 2016 U.S. Department of Justice OIG report found private federal prisons to be safer and more secure than government-run ones.
Answer: False
The 2016 U.S. Department of Justice OIG report concluded that private federal prisons were less safe, less secure, and more punitive than government-run facilities.
President Joe Biden's Executive Order 14006 aimed to end federal contracts with private prison companies.
Answer: True
Executive Order 14006, issued by President Biden, directed the Department of Justice to cease renewing contracts with private prison companies.
The 'kids for cash' scandal involved judges receiving kickbacks for sentencing children to private facilities.
Answer: True
The 'kids for cash' scandal centered on judicial corruption, where judges accepted payments to sentence juveniles to private detention centers.
Organizations like ALEC have been criticized for developing model legislation that benefits the private prison industry through stricter sentencing laws.
Answer: True
Organizations such as ALEC have faced criticism for drafting legislation, including stricter sentencing laws, that aligns with the interests of the private prison industry.
A 2020 study in Mississippi found inmates in private prisons served significantly shorter sentences than those in public prisons.
Answer: False
A 2020 study in Mississippi indicated that inmates in private prisons served longer sentences, on average, than those in public facilities.
The 2016 U.S. OIG report indicated significantly higher rates of prisoner-on-staff sexual assaults in private federal facilities compared to state-run facilities.
Answer: True
The 2016 U.S. OIG report found that private federal facilities experienced substantially higher rates of prisoner-on-staff sexual assaults compared to government-run facilities.
The 'Operation Mississippi Hustle' involved bribery schemes between state officials and private prison operators.
Answer: True
'Operation Mississippi Hustle' uncovered bribery schemes involving state officials and private prison operators, highlighting corruption within the system.
Private prison companies have actively lobbied for policies like mandatory minimum sentences to increase incarceration rates.
Answer: True
Private prison corporations have engaged in lobbying efforts to promote policies, such as mandatory minimum sentencing, that contribute to higher incarceration rates.
Illinois and New York are examples of U.S. states that have banned private prison privatization.
Answer: True
Illinois and New York are among the U.S. states that have enacted legislation to ban or phase out private prison privatization.
The U.S. Department of Justice's 2016 decision to phase out contracts was based on findings that private facilities were more cost-effective.
Answer: False
The 2016 decision was based on findings that private facilities were less safe and effective, and offered minimal cost savings, not that they were more cost-effective.
The election of Donald Trump led to a decrease in the stock prices of major private prison companies.
Answer: False
Following Donald Trump's election, the stock prices of major private prison companies surged due to expectations of reversed policies against privatization.
A 2021 study suggested inmates in private prisons generally serve shorter sentences than those in public prisons.
Answer: False
A 2021 study indicated that inmates in private prisons tend to serve longer sentences compared to those in public facilities.
The dramatic increase in the U.S. prison population since the 1980s occurred independently of the rise of private prisons.
Answer: False
The rise of private prisons coincided with, and capitalized upon, the significant increase in the U.S. prison population that began in the 1980s.
A 2014 study suggested that public prisons in the U.S. have a higher percentage of minority inmates compared to private prisons.
Answer: False
A 2014 study suggested that private prisons may house a higher percentage of minority inmates, partly due to contract clauses allowing them to refuse certain types of inmates.
Private prison companies may expand into services like medical care and halfway houses to maintain profitability when populations decline.
Answer: True
To sustain profitability amidst declining prison populations, private companies often diversify into related services such as medical care, halfway houses, and civil commitment facilities.
Documentaries like '13th' have highlighted issues within the U.S. private prison system.
Answer: True
Documentaries such as '13th' have critically examined and brought public attention to various issues within the U.S. private prison system.
The Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) was founded in 1984 and is now known as CoreCivic.
Answer: True
The Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), a foundational company in the modern private prison industry, was established in 1984 and later rebranded as CoreCivic.
In 2019, a significant majority of the U.S. federal prison population was housed in private facilities.
Answer: False
In 2019, private facilities housed 15.7% of the U.S. federal prison population, not a significant majority.
The GEO Group, Inc. is a major company operating private prisons in the United States.
Answer: True
The GEO Group, Inc. is recognized as one of the principal corporations involved in the operation of private prisons within the United States.
What did a 2016 report by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Inspector General find about private federal prisons compared to government-run ones?
Answer: They were less safe, less secure, and more punitive.
The 2016 OIG report concluded that private federal prisons exhibited lower levels of safety and security and were more punitive compared to government-run facilities.
President Joe Biden's Executive Order 14006 primarily directed the Justice Department to take what action?
Answer: Stop renewing contracts with private prison companies.
Executive Order 14006 instructed the Department of Justice to cease the renewal of contracts with private prison companies.
Which company, founded in 1984, was involved in the emergence of modern private prisons in the United States?
Answer: Corrections Corporation of America (CCA)
Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), founded in 1984, was instrumental in the development and expansion of the modern private prison industry in the United States.
As of 2019, what percentage of the total U.S. prison population (federal and state) was housed in privately owned prisons?
Answer: Approximately 8.1%
In 2019, approximately 8.1% of the total U.S. prison population, encompassing both federal and state facilities, was housed in privately owned prisons.
How have organizations like ALEC been linked to the private prison industry?
Answer: By developing model legislation that often promotes stricter sentencing laws.
Organizations like ALEC have been linked to the private prison industry through the development of model legislation, frequently advocating for stricter sentencing laws that can increase incarceration rates.
What did a 2020 study on private prisons in Mississippi find regarding the length of inmate sentences?
Answer: Inmates served, on average, 90 additional days in private prisons compared to public ones.
A 2020 study in Mississippi found that inmates in private prisons served approximately 90 additional days on average compared to those in public facilities, impacting cost savings.
Which of the following is a major company operating private prisons in the United States?
Answer: The GEO Group, Inc.
The GEO Group, Inc. is one of the primary corporations engaged in the operation of private correctional facilities within the United States.
What did a 2014 study suggest about the demographics of inmates in private versus public prisons?
Answer: Minorities constituted a larger percentage of inmates in private prisons.
A 2014 study indicated that minority populations represented a larger proportion of inmates in private prisons compared to public facilities.
How do private prison companies attempt to maintain profitability when prison populations decline?
Answer: By expanding into new markets offering services like medical care and halfway houses.
When prison populations decrease, private companies often seek to maintain profitability by diversifying into services such as medical care, halfway houses, and other correctional-adjacent markets.
What action did the U.S. Department of Justice announce in August 2016 regarding for-profit prison contracts?
Answer: A plan to phase out contracts, citing safety and effectiveness concerns.
In August 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice announced its intention to phase out contracts with for-profit prisons, citing concerns about safety, effectiveness, and cost.
How did the election of Donald Trump affect the stock prices of major private prison companies?
Answer: Stock prices surged due to expectations of reversed policies against private prisons.
Following Donald Trump's election, the stock prices of major private prison companies experienced a significant increase, driven by anticipation of policies favorable to the industry.
Which U.S. state is mentioned as having implemented a ban on private prison privatization?
Answer: Illinois
Illinois is cited as one of the U.S. states that has enacted a ban on private prison privatization.
What did a 2016 U.S. OIG report find regarding assaults in private federal prisons compared to public ones?
Answer: Prisoner-on-staff assaults were 260% higher in private facilities.
The 2016 U.S. OIG report found that prisoner-on-staff assaults were 260% higher in private federal facilities compared to government-run ones.
In 2013, the United States and the United Kingdom were the only nations utilizing private prisons.
Answer: False
While the U.S. and UK were significant players, other nations like Australia, New Zealand, and several in South America were also utilizing private prisons in 2013.
Australia's first private prison, the Borallon Correctional Centre, commenced operations in 1990.
Answer: True
The Borallon Correctional Centre in Australia was established in 1990, marking the commencement of private prison operations in the country.
In 2018, approximately 18.4% of prisoners in Australia were held in privately managed facilities.
Answer: True
Data from 2018 indicates that 18.4% of the Australian prison population was incarcerated in privately managed correctional facilities.
Anastasia Glushko claimed that private prisons in Australia significantly increased the costs of holding prisoners.
Answer: False
Anastasia Glushko's claims regarding private prisons in Australia suggested significant cost reductions, not increases, along with improvements in inmate-staff relations and prisoner treatment.
A 2016 University of Sydney report found that most Australian states had robust systems for holding private prisons accountable.
Answer: False
The 2016 University of Sydney report concluded that most Australian states lacked comprehensive accountability systems for private prisons, although Western Australia had a more developed approach.
The Nauru Regional Processing Centre is operated by Broadspectrum on behalf of the Australian Government.
Answer: True
The Nauru Regional Processing Centre, an Australian immigration detention facility, is managed by Broadspectrum under contract with the Australian Government.
Concerns regarding Australian immigration prisons like Nauru have focused solely on the cost of operations.
Answer: False
Concerns surrounding Australian immigration prisons such as Nauru extend beyond operational costs to include issues of indefinite detention, conditions, and treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.
Canada has successfully maintained several operational private detention facilities since the late 20th century.
Answer: False
Canada has had limited experience with private detention facilities, with notable examples ceasing operations or reverting to government control.
In France, private companies manage both non-sovereign tasks and security functions within prisons.
Answer: False
In the French model, private companies typically manage non-sovereign tasks, while security and guard functions remain under state control.
A primary tension in French prisons involves balancing the profit-driven logic of private companies with the essential security requirements of a correctional setting.
Answer: True
The French correctional system faces a tension between the profit motives of private contractors and the paramount need for security, which can influence operational dynamics.
Israel's 2004 law permitting private prisons was motivated by a desire to improve inmate rehabilitation programs.
Answer: False
Israel's 2004 law permitting private prisons was primarily motivated by a desire to reduce costs associated with incarceration, not to enhance rehabilitation programs.
The Israeli Supreme Court ruled private prisons illegal in 2009, citing concerns about human dignity and the profit motive.
Answer: True
In 2009, the Israeli Supreme Court declared private prisons unlawful, citing that the transfer of liberty deprivation to profit-driven entities infringes upon human dignity.
New Zealand's first private prison contract, held by Australasian Correctional Management (ACM), was continuously renewed until 2015.
Answer: False
New Zealand's first private prison contract with ACM was not renewed in 2005. A later contract with Serco for Mt. Eden Prison was revoked in 2015 due to scandals.
The revocation of Serco's contract for Mt. Eden Prison in New Zealand was linked to public exposure of 'fight clubs' within the facility.
Answer: True
The contract for Mt. Eden Prison was revoked in 2015 following public revelations of 'fight clubs' and criticism regarding the management's response to incidents.
The Auckland South Corrections Facility is New Zealand's only privately operated prison.
Answer: False
While the Auckland South Corrections Facility is privately operated, it is not New Zealand's only such facility; the statement implies exclusivity that is not accurate.
South Korea has multiple private prisons operating for adult inmates.
Answer: False
South Korea operates only one private prison for adult inmates, the Somang Correctional Institution.
In 2018, England and Wales had a higher percentage of prisoners in private facilities compared to Australia.
Answer: True
In 2018, both England and Wales, and Australia reported 18.4% of their prison populations in private facilities, indicating comparable percentages rather than one being higher.
The United Kingdom was the first European nation to implement for-profit prisons, starting with The Wolds Prison in 1992.
Answer: True
The UK pioneered the use of for-profit prisons in Europe with the opening of The Wolds Prison in 1992, following the Criminal Justice Act of 1991.
The Scottish National Party government actively sought to increase private sector involvement in Scotland's prisons after 2007.
Answer: False
Following the 2007 election, the Scottish National Party government adopted a policy opposing privately run prisons and ceased issuing new contracts.
As of late 2018, the UK government believed that private sector involvement in custodial services was unnecessary.
Answer: False
As of late 2018, the UK government maintained its commitment to private sector involvement in custodial services, viewing it as a source of innovation and efficiency.
Allegations against G4S facilities in the UK included the use of excessive force and racist comments towards children.
Answer: True
Serious allegations, including excessive force, racist comments, and mistreatment of children, were made against G4S-operated facilities in the UK.
Concerns at the Ashfield Young Offenders Institution included a decrease in the use of restraint techniques on young inmates.
Answer: False
Concerns at Ashfield Young Offenders Institution included an increase, not a decrease, in the use of restraint techniques, alongside other issues like unnecessary strip searches and attacks on inmates.
The Israeli Supreme Court's 2009 ruling against private prisons was based on the argument that profit motives could compromise prisoner welfare.
Answer: True
The Israeli Supreme Court's decision to outlaw private prisons in 2009 centered on the principle that profit motives could undermine the fundamental rights and welfare of prisoners.
Which of the following nations was identified as a dominant player in the private prison sector in 2013?
Answer: Australia
In 2013, Australia, alongside the United States and the United Kingdom, was identified as one of the dominant nations in the private prison sector.
What did Anastasia Glushko claim were benefits of private prisons in Australia?
Answer: Decreased costs, improved inmate-staff relationships, and better prisoner treatment.
Anastasia Glushko argued that private prisons in Australia led to reduced costs, fostered better inmate-staff relationships, and improved prisoner treatment.
According to a 2016 University of Sydney report, what was the general state of accountability for private prisons in Australia?
Answer: Most states lacked comprehensive systems for government accountability.
A 2016 University of Sydney report indicated that most Australian states did not possess comprehensive systems for ensuring government accountability over private prisons.
What is the primary function of the Nauru Regional Processing Centre mentioned in the source?
Answer: An Australian immigration detention facility located on the island of Nauru.
The Nauru Regional Processing Centre serves as an immigration detention facility operated by Broadspectrum on behalf of the Australian Government.
Which issue has been a major point of controversy regarding Australian immigration prisons like the one on Nauru?
Answer: The indefinite detention of asylum seekers and refugees without charge.
A significant controversy surrounding Australian immigration prisons like Nauru involves the prolonged, indefinite detention of asylum seekers and refugees.
How does the source describe the involvement of the private sector in French prisons between 1987 and the late 2000s?
Answer: Significant growth, but with security and guard functions remaining state-controlled.
Between 1987 and the late 2000s, private sector involvement in French prisons expanded, primarily focusing on non-sovereign tasks while state authorities retained control over security and guard functions.
What was the main reason the Israeli Supreme Court ruled private prisons illegal in 2009?
Answer: The court determined that transferring the authority to deprive liberty to a for-profit company violates human rights.
The Israeli Supreme Court's ruling against private prisons in 2009 was based on the determination that delegating the power to detain individuals to profit-driven entities infringes upon fundamental human rights.
Which company initially held the contract for New Zealand's first private prison, Mt. Eden Prison?
Answer: Australasian Correctional Management (ACM)
Australasian Correctional Management (ACM) was the company that initially held the contract for New Zealand's first private prison, Mt. Eden Prison, when it opened in 2000.
What led to the revocation of Serco's contract to manage Mt. Eden Prison in 2015?
Answer: Public exposure of 'fight clubs' and criticism over incident investigations.
Serco's contract for Mt. Eden Prison was revoked in 2015 following public exposure of internal 'fight clubs' and significant criticism regarding the company's handling of incidents and investigations.
What distinguishes the Somang Correctional Institution in South Korea?
Answer: It is the only private prison for adult inmates in the country.
The Somang Correctional Institution is notable as South Korea's sole private prison facility catering to adult inmates.
In the modern era, which country was the first in Europe to utilize for-profit prisons?
Answer: United Kingdom
The United Kingdom was the first European nation to adopt for-profit prisons, initiating this practice with The Wolds Prison in 1992.
What was the stated policy of the Scottish National Party regarding private prisons after 2007?
Answer: To oppose privately run prisons and cease issuing new contracts.
The Scottish National Party government, after 2007, declared its opposition to privately run prisons and committed to not issuing any new contracts for their management.
Which of the following was NOT cited as a concern regarding the Ashfield Young Offenders Institution in the UK?
Answer: A decrease in the number of staff employed.
Concerns raised about the Ashfield Young Offenders Institution included increased restraint use, strip searches, and inmate attacks; a decrease in staff was not cited as a primary concern.
Studies comparing cost-effectiveness often show private prisons are consistently cheaper than public ones.
Answer: False
Research comparing cost-effectiveness yields mixed results, with many studies indicating that private prisons do not consistently prove cheaper than public facilities.
Evidence suggests private prisons may have higher rates of violence due to lower staffing levels and reduced training.
Answer: True
Studies suggest a correlation between lower staffing levels and reduced training in private prisons and increased rates of violence and escapes.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics found that the cost savings promised by private prisons have generally materialized.
Answer: False
The Bureau of Justice Statistics has reported that the promised cost savings from private prisons have generally not materialized.
Recidivism rates are a primary performance metric for private prisons, with studies showing significant reductions.
Answer: False
Recidivism rates are not consistently used as a primary performance metric for private prisons, and studies generally show comparable rates to public prisons, not significant reductions.
What did the Bureau of Justice Statistics find regarding the cost savings promised by private prisons?
Answer: The promised cost savings 'have simply not materialized.'
The Bureau of Justice Statistics has reported that the anticipated cost savings associated with private prisons have largely failed to materialize.
What has been the general finding regarding the impact of private prisons on recidivism rates?
Answer: Recidivism rates are not typically used as a primary performance measure, and rates are comparable to public prisons.
Recidivism rates are not consistently employed as a primary metric for private prison performance, and existing studies generally indicate comparable rates to those observed in public facilities.
The term 'prison-industrial complex' describes the positive impact of private prisons on community development.
Answer: False
The 'prison-industrial complex' refers to the influence of the private prison industry on policy and its potential to perpetuate high incarceration rates, not positive community development.
The private prison industry has faced little opposition from activist groups.
Answer: False
The private prison industry has encountered significant opposition from activist groups, religious organizations, and reform advocates.
Elizabeth S. Anderson argues private prisons primarily profit by cutting costs, especially in staffing and training.
Answer: True
Elizabeth S. Anderson posits that private prisons maximize profits through cost-cutting measures, particularly in staffing and training, and by maximizing filled beds.
Wall Street banks have largely divested from the private prison industry due to ethical concerns.
Answer: False
Wall Street banks have historically been significant investors in the private prison industry, and widespread divestment due to ethical concerns has not been the prevailing trend.
What does the term 'prison-industrial complex' refer to?
Answer: The influence and lobbying efforts of the for-profit prison industry on government policies.
The 'prison-industrial complex' describes the political and economic system where private corporations and government interests benefit from high rates of incarceration, often through lobbying and policy influence.
According to Elizabeth S. Anderson, what are the two primary ways private prisons generate profits?
Answer: By maximizing filled beds and cutting costs, especially in staffing and training.
Elizabeth S. Anderson identifies maximizing filled beds and reducing operational costs, particularly in staffing and training, as the principal methods by which private prisons generate profits.
What did Elizabeth S. Anderson argue is a negative consequence of private prisons' profit motive?
Answer: It exacerbates the harms and injustices inherent in the American mass incarceration system.
Elizabeth S. Anderson contends that the profit motive in private prisons intensifies the negative consequences and injustices associated with the U.S. system of mass incarceration.