Since the early 1990s, British Governments have issued contracts to private firms for both the construction and the day-to-day running of prisons. The privatization of some prison services was pursued to cope with the problems of overcrowding in the UK’s prisons and to spread the costs of interning offenders. There are currently 14 private prisons in the U.K. who house around 15% of the prison population. Opponents argue that the concept of prison care is antithetical to the notion of commercial business and that it is morally inappropriate to profit from the punishment of offenders. Proponents argue that private prisons are are incentivised to operate more efficiently and can bring benefits to U.K. taxpayer.
25% Yes |
75% No |
14% Yes |
68% No |
10% Yes, but they should be strictly regulated to prevent mismanagement and corruption |
8% No, private prisons will sacrifice quality of care and rehabilitation services for profit |
1% Yes, but eliminate contractual occupancy quotas |
See how support for each position on “Private Prisons” has changed over time for 230k UK voters.
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See how importance of “Private Prisons” has changed over time for 230k UK voters.
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Unique answers from UK users whose views extended beyond the provided choices.
@9LK6Y631 day1D
No, this would lead to inconsistencies across HMPO's and is open to corruption and inaccurate reporting of statistics. Profit shouldn't be a factor in prison facilities.
@9G5MCLJ6mos6MO
They can have a few private prisons, but the majority should remain government prisons. They should be strictly manged to prevent corruption as to prevent them sacrificing quality of care and rehabilitation services for profit.
@9FGZ7R47mos7MO
No, the government would do well to invest more in disadvantaged youths, with sports, after schools clubs etc
@8S44KX23yrs3Y
Yes, they should be able to exploit prisoners as much as they want as it classes as personal/individual/corporate justice
@8RR4H943yrs3Y
Yes but only to Supplement HMP
@8R77BTV3yrs3Y
No, Prisons are a natural monopoly so should be run by the government
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