WHEREAS:

The current crisis in corrections is best characterized by severe overcrowding, antiquated facilities, and court orders mandating state and local governments to address their unconstitutional prison conditions; and

WHEREAS:

Private, for-profit corporations are exploiting this situation by aggressively marketing themselves as more cost efficient and better able to build prisons quickly to relieve overcrowding than state and local governments; and

WHEREAS:

These private corporations tend to pay lower salaries and benefits and to set lower staffing levels than state and local governments; and

WHEREAS:

While current salary and benefit levels of public sector employers are low in relation to the responsibilities and high levels of stress and danger characteristic of the occupation, further reductions will severely hinder the recruitment of competent and qualified professionals; and

WHEREAS:

Current staff-to-inmate ratios in many state and local correctional facilities are too high to maintain adequate security. While further reductions in staffing levels may create profits for private corporations, the security of the institution may be compromised; and

WHEREAS:

Contracting out correctional institutions creates an inherent conflict of interest between a corporation's desire to maximize profits by keeping the facility full, and a state or local government's efforts to develop alternatives to incarceration or rehabilitation programs.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME ascertain that the legal responsibility and liability for the incarceration of inmates cannot be relinquished even if public jurisdictions try to contract the facilities out to the private sector; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue to oppose the contracting out of correctional facilities and to work to ensure that state and local governments not abdicate their responsibility for the incarceration and rehabilitation of prisoners; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue to work with public supporters and other activists to pursue the prevention of further contracting out of correctional facilities by profit-seeking organizations.

SUBMITTED BY:

Art Weese, President and Delegate
Marjorie Smith, Secretary
AFSCME Council 97
Arizona