Private Prisons – way forward or costly mistake?

Commenting on Ken Clarke’s statement on prisons competition, Juliet Lyon, Director of the Prison Reform Trust, said:

No one is going to argue with an aim to reduce current unacceptable prison reoffending rates but will a move to privatise more prisons deliver this outcome?
 
Since the first private jail was ushered in 1992 by Ken Clarke, then Home Secretary, a further ten have opened. The results are mixed: some private prisons have proved innovative and successful while others have been strongly criticised for their high staff turnover, tendency to cut corners and weaknesses in safety and security.
 
Privatisation raises ethical questions about the role of imprisonment in our society. Loss of liberty is the most extreme form of punishment we have. It has to be well regulated and managed and must meet exacting standards. People in prison should always be treated with decency and respect. Arrangements for commissioning and contracting must ensure proper oversight and full accountability.
 
Even before this move to greater privatisation, proportionally more people were held in private prisons in England and Wales than anywhere else in Europe or indeed in America. At a time when government is committed to reducing any unnecessary use of imprisonment, and shrinking prison numbers back to an unavoidable minimum, is it sensible to open up to market forces and risk growing vested interest? On the other hand, could increased privatisation improve prison management and curb any remaining restrictive practices? In ten years time will this prove a watershed in achieving a modern prison system of last resort or a costly mistake?

Notes

1.    The UK has the most privatised prison systems in Europe. In England and Wales 9,892 prisoners (11.6 % of the prisoner population) are held in private prisons. (NOMS Monthly Prison Population Bulletin, February 2011).

2.    There are a higher proportion of people held in private prisons in England and Wales than in the US, where the figure is around 9%.

3.       The privatisation of HMP Birmingham and the new private Featherstone 2 will bring the proportion of people held in private prisons in England and Wales to up to 14% of the total prison population.

4.    Private prison contracts are shared between just three companies: Serco operates, Ashfield, Dovegate, Lowdham Grange and Doncaster; Kalyx operates Bronzefield, Forest Bank, and Peterborough; G4S operates Altcourse, Parc, Rye Hill, and The Wolds. The new contract for Birmingham has been awarded to G4S, and Serco will continue to operate Doncaster.

5.    According to a parliamentary written answer (Hansard HC, 9 January 2007, c546W), the costs of private prisons per place are higher than public sector prisons in most categories:

6.    The ratio of prisoners to prison officers in all public sector prisons in England and Wales on 31 March 2010 is one officer to 3.03 prisoners. In private prisons the ratio is one officer to 3.78 prisoners.

7.      In 2006, basic pay for private sector custody officers was 39% less than their public sector equivalents. Taking a valuation of benefits such as pensions and holidays into account, the public sector advantage rose to 61%.

8.    An average of 40% of private sector staff have over five years’ service. High staff turnover remains a problem in a number of private prisons.

9.  In 2006 resignations of prison custody officer and detention custody officers in the private sector averaged 24%, with very large variations between establishments.

10.  According to the National Audit Office, staffing problems mean private prisons can struggle to create a safe environment for prisoners. It noted high levels of assaults at Dovegate, Ashfield, Rye Hill, Forest Bank and Altcourse. It said that prisoners in these jails expressed concerns about their safety due to the relative inexperience of staff.

More facts on private prisons are available in the latest edition of the Bromley Briefing Prison Factfile.