Prison contracts should reward results, not occupancy rates
Across the country, states are taking back prisons once run by private companies. Oklahoma just bought the Lawton facility for $312 million, ending its last private prison contract. New Mexico is phasing out its last private prison after 27 years. And Texas is bringing seven privately operated state jails under public control as contracts expire and lawmakers approve funding for direct operation.
That sounds like reform, but it is not — at least, not the kind that matters.
