tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post5832157352168794720..comments2024-03-28T02:29:13.507-07:00Comments on Legal Ruralism: The troubling impacts of prison privatization in rural AmericaLisa R. Pruitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16469550950363542801noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post-90641136038421583432011-10-12T08:45:39.591-07:002011-10-12T08:45:39.591-07:00On numerous trips through the Central Valley in Ca...On numerous trips through the Central Valley in California this year, I saw prison after prison in many of the nonmetropolitan areas I passed through. It always struck me as odd to see these facilities in the middle of farmland, especially since I imagined that most of the inmates were likely from other parts of the state.<br /><br />It made me think of the “not in my backyard” attitude that many people have with nuclear and toxic waste and led me to think this attitude may be another reason why more prisons are in rural areas. Many people do not want the negative effects that having nuclear waste or prisons in their vicinity brings. Urban areas usually have a stronger voice in the debate of where waste or other unwanted things should go.<br /><br />However, I can see why rural communities would not put up as much as a fuss since it is one way they may be able to survive economically. Still, as discussed in the post, the jobs provided by private prisons may have limited or short-term economic benefits. For society as a whole, it may be better to find other ways to solve rural America’s economic problems, as prisons in rural areas may create more repeat offenders.KBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14517191832417555528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post-63139474756990448202011-10-05T01:04:24.720-07:002011-10-05T01:04:24.720-07:00It seems my comment is simply a slew of questions ...It seems my comment is simply a slew of questions sparked by your incredibly interesting post.<br /><br />I'm still a bit confused about your statement that prison privatization is a "buy now, pay later" phenomenon. How private are they if they are then reimbursed by the state over a period of several decades while also paying the company a per diem price for each prisoner housed? If these prisons are getting state money why are they being run so differently? <br /><br />Further, when a town is confronted with having a prison, do they understand the difference between the privatized prison and the state run prison? Or do they simply assume (as I would before reading your post) that it was state run with union jobs and all the other perks of a state run prison?<br /><br />What are the benefits of private prisons (as opposed to public prisons)? Is it simply the cost delay opportunity (like a state credit card) and lower cost as associated by worse working conditions for their employees?Patricijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07301065108893875589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post-25499183455290596502011-09-29T11:31:45.218-07:002011-09-29T11:31:45.218-07:00I agree with many of the points made in the post b...I agree with many of the points made in the post but what about the positive effects of rural prisons. I'll admit my knowledge of the matter is limited, but it seems that a struggling rural economy would benefit from a large and dependable employer such as a prison. When the community's only source of employment has been the timber industry or mining for a decade suddenly dries up, what are the unemployed to do? Many lack any higher education or special training and many are also reluctant to move or enroll in school.<br /><br />I acknowledge the possible negative effects the prison will have on the community but it may be a necessary evil that if otherwise not present would signal the death of the community.Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01504747620898238135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post-76245541082573829352011-09-25T13:42:17.688-07:002011-09-25T13:42:17.688-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.KBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14517191832417555528noreply@blogger.com