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.
24% Yes |
76% 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 233k UK voters.
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See how importance of “Private Prisons” has changed over time for 233k UK voters.
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Unique answers from UK users whose views extended beyond the provided choices.
@9MX5JLC5 days5D
Yes, there should be SOME strictly regulated private prisons, unless this costs the government enough to compromise funding allocated to rehabilitation services.
@9MWBSPX6 days6D
No, private prisons incentivise locking people up - making it a business and ultimately fuelling a new age of slavery - similar to the US.
@9G5MCLJ8mos8MO
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.
@9FGZ7R48mos8MO
No, the government would do well to invest more in disadvantaged youths, with sports, after schools clubs etc
@9D355DL10mos10MO
No, all prisons should be nationalised and publicly-owned
@99MWVGJ1yr1Y
No, and re-nationalise existing prisons
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