Private Prisons: Ethical Considerations

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Individualistic market-driven values have allowed the implementation of privately owned and operated for-profit correctional facilities into the American justice system.

Objective: This study aims to critically reflect on the practice by private contractors of owning and operating prisons for individual economic gain in the U.S.A.

Design and Methods: The study is designed to be analytic in its review of the practice. Literature relevant to the issue is compiled and examined from various philosophical perspectives. The main research questions are: Is it ethical to profit from incarceration? What are the factors that have resulted in the phenomenon of for-profit prisons?

Results: The study indicates that the economic benefits of this practice do not outweigh potential socioeconomic political, and ethical consequences for society. Economic benefits to society are determined to be intangible or nonexistent.

Conclusion: Human rights based philosophies and formal moral reasoning provide strong arguments in opposition to this practice. Justification of profiteering is found insubstantial from lines of moral and economic rationale.

Keywords: ethics, justice, markets, philosophy, prisons, privatization, mass incarceration, privatized prisons, human rights