CON
My partner and I negate the resolution Resolved: For-Profit Prisons in the United States should be banned.
Contention I: Economic Benefits Subpoint A: Save Money
Kavanagh, John. "Private Prisons Really Are Cheaper for Taxpayers." Azcentral.com. N.p., 10 Jan. 2014. Web. 10 Dec. 2014. <http://archive.azcentral.com/opinions/articles/20140111private-prisons-keep-money-taxpayers-pockets.html>.
The suggestion that private prisons cost taxpayers more money to operate than state-run prisons is wrong. A recent Republic news article disclosed that the “non-adjusted” cost of housing a medium-security prisoner was $64.52 in a state-run facility and only $58.82 in a private prison. SubPoint B: Cost Effectiveness
Subpoint C: Innovations
Greenwood, Peter. “Private-enterprise prisons? Why not? The Job Would be Done Better and at Less Cost.” RAND Corporation, 1981.
<http://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P6618.html>
“Because innovators are not found in government, but in business, it is time to get the government out of the prison business. Government can give us bigger, newer prisons but not better prisons, more effective programs, or better personnel without various incentives, which they lack. If the operation of our prisons were contracted out, private enterprise could step in. The successful bidder could be responsible for secure housing, feeding, medical care, and job training of the prison population. State officials would retain authority for decisions about changes in custody level or time of release for individual offenders. Private prison managers would be free to innovate, to use the latest technology and management techniques as in any profit-motivated service industry.” Contention II: Unconstitutional Subpoint A: There are multiple regulations that need to be enacted before deciding whether or not private prisons should be banned such as auditing regulations.
Volokh, Sasha. “Are private prisons better or worse than public prisons?” Washington Post. 25 Feb 2014. Web. 4 Nov 2014.<http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2014/02/25/areprivate-prisons-better-or-worse-than-public-prisons/>.
