PRIVATE PRISONS SAVING MONEY

The author of a recent letter titled "Prison privatization not
working" offers little more than a bold misrepresentation of facts and
misleading assertions in making his case.

First, more than 20 detailed, independent studies validate the
important cost savings of private partnerships in corrections.

Second, the "documented corruption" actually indicts the performance
of a few state employees, not private corrections. Because the Florida
Police Benevolent Association represents groups of these corrections
employees, it is ironic that its executive director, David Murrell, is
in essence criticizing his own people.

Third, measuring results demonstrates the value of innovative public-
private partnerships. In drug-treatment programs, private-prison
providers offer at least similar if not better programs and outcomes
at one-third the cost of the state-run programs.

Finally, in Florida, private-prison beds total only 8 percent of the
state's total prison beds. However, this modest introduction of
competition has resulted in an overall decrease of state per diem
costs of 30 percent! Does anyone think that these tremendous savings
to the taxpayer would have arisen without competition? Certainly not,
and a recent study by two Vanderbilt University researchers verifies
that the existence of private prisons across America reduces overall
corrections budgets.

Private correctional programs are an important part of the solution to
corrections challenges confronting government and taxpayers across the
nation.

Michael LoBue

The writer is executive director of the Association of Private
Correctional Treatment Organizations, San Francisco.