WHEREAS:
State and local governments, confronted with the spiraling costs of incarceration, have been experimenting with prison privatization; and
WHEREAS:
Mounting evidence demonstrates that prison privatization has not lived up to its promises and that the experiment is failing; and
WHEREAS:
Because of the rush to cut costs and fill cells, private prison corporations often cut corners, resulting in poor prison security, inmate escapes, understaffing, high staff turnover, and the loss of accountability; and
WHEREAS:
The deterioration of labor standards is another consequence of prison privatization, with entry level salaries of correctional officers who work in privately-operated facilities ranging from 16% to 30% lower than those who work in public prisons and jails, along with dramatically reduced benefits; and
WHEREAS:
Despite all of the ways that corporations cut corners, the savings to public jurisdictions are minimal. An audit comparing a privately-operated prison in Tennessee with two state-operated facilities found savings of less than one percent. A recent feasibility study concluded that prison privatization would "not necessarily" result in any savings to the public jurisdiction.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME reaffirms its opposition to prison privatization; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the International Union shall monitor prison privatization developments throughout the country and apprise all AFSCME affiliates of its findings on an ongoing basis; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the International Union shall actively seek information comparing private and public facilities with respect to wages, benefits, and employee turnover rates and shall make such information available to affiliates; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That AFSCME councils and locals use such strategies as cost comparisons and feasibility studies, lobbying state and local government officials, publicity campaigns, appropriate legal action and the passage of legislation restricting contracting out in order to stop prison privatization.
SUBMITTED BY:
Henry Bayer, Executive Director and Delegate
AFSCME Council 31
Illinois