Stop Private Prison Profiteering

We, the undersigned, are writing to request that you take immediate action to abolish private prisons. These institutions prioritize corporate profits over justice, fairness, and humane treatment, while imposing higher costs on taxpayers and failing to improve public safety. Despite claims that private prisons are cheaper to operate, numerous studies have shown that they actually cost taxpayers more than publicly run prisons. Private prison companies reduce their operating expenses by cutting corners on staff, healthcare, and rehabilitation services, but governments still pay hidden costs. Oversight and legal fees, as well as the long-term impact of poor prison conditions, such as higher recidivism rates, lead to additional public spending. These higher costs make the idea of privatizing prisons not only unethical but financially irresponsible. Furthermore, private prison contracts often include “lockup quotas” or guaranteed occupancy rates, which force governments to keep these facilities full—regardless of whether crime rates justify it. This system encourages mass incarceration, benefiting private corporations at the expense of taxpayers and communities. Private companies also spend millions on lobbying for harsher sentencing laws to ensure a steady flow of inmates, continuing the cycle of over-incarceration. Private prisons also fail to provide adequate services. They typically offer subpar conditions, undertrained staff, and a lack of rehabilitation programs, which ultimately contribute to higher rates of reoffending and increased societal costs. This failure to reduce recidivism is another hidden expense that burdens taxpayers in the long run. There is no justification for continuing this flawed and costly system. We urge you to support legislation that abolishes private prisons and redirects resources to public facilities that prioritize safety, rehabilitation, and fairness—without the financial burden of corporate greed. This is a critical issue, and we expect you will take effective action. We will be monitoring your response to this issue.