Pubdate: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2005 Sarasota Herald-Tribune Contact: http://www.heraldtribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/398 Author: Michael LoBue, executive director of the Association of Private Correctional Treatment Organizations Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration) 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin