======= Basics ======= The United States has locked up more people than any other country: a half million more than China, which has a population five times greater than the U.S. Statistics reveal that the United States holds 25% of the world s prison population, but only 5% of the world s people. From less than 300,000 inmates in 1972, the jail population grew to 2 million by the year 2000. In 1990 it was one million. Ten years ago there were only five private prisons in the country, with a population of 2,000 inmates; now, there are 100, with 62,000 inmates. It is expected that by the coming decade, the number will hit 360,000, according to reports. =========================== Prison Labor Benefitting Military =========================== New York Times Defense officials spend roughly $2 billion annually on military uniforms Required by World War II era rule (Berry Amendment) most of them made in the United States Congress has pressured defense officials to cut costs on uniforms Turned to federal prisons, where wages are under $2 per hour. Left Business Observer The federal prison industry produces 100% of all military helmets, ammunition belts, bullet proof vests, ID tags, shirts, pants, tents, bags, and canteens. Along with war supplies, prison workers supply 98% of the entire market for equipment assembly services; 93% of paints and paintbrushes; 92% of stove assembly; 46% of body armor; 36% of home appliances; 30% of headphones/microphones/speakers; and 21% of office furniture. UNICOR Formerly known as Federal Prison Industries (FPI) and now known as UNICOR A wholly owned United States government corporation created in 1934 that uses penal labor from the Federal Bureau of Prisons to produce goods and services.
39th largest US contractor 110 factories at 79 federal penitentiaries sales were $583.5 million, 65% DOD Brags American Made but it s prison labor Laws on the books that require acquisition of goods through Unicor (small business can t compete) We have rules against importing for other countries who do this min 23 cents to max 1.15/hr OSHA doesn t apply for these workers Dismantle computer parts, ventilation masks, away from people Prison just smashing with a hammer For the individuals who have invested in the prison industry, it has been like finding a pot of gold. They don t have to worry about strikes or paying unemployment insurance, vacations or comp time. All of their workers are full time, and never arrive late or are absent because of family problems; moreover, if they don t like the pay of 25 cents an hour and refuse to work, they are locked up in isolation cells. Divestment: Socially responsible mutual funds... Request no prisons ======== Lobbying ======== "The United States contains about 5% of the world s population, but 25% of the world s prisoners. That does not happen because the country is filled with criminals, but because the private prison industry has spent over $45 million on lobbying and campaign donations. That money is used to push legislation which increases sentences and works to raise incarceration rates. Ref http://www.newpaltzx.com/2014/11/05/brandon missig elect people no corporation/ #1 Corrections Corporation of America ( CCA ) $810,000 in lobbying in 2014 http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=d000021940
#2 GEO Group $490,000 in lobbying in 2014 https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=d000022003 Revenue of these two in 2011 Over $2.9 billion 2014 When third quarter financial disclosures came out, CCA's showed no contributions. But their pre general disclosure shows $13,500 in last minute spending including contributions to 10 different candidates and each party's caucus in both legislative chambers. The Republican caucuses in the House and Senate received $2,500 each, while the respective Democratic caucuses received $1,000. Most candidates received $500 from the prison giant, but three lucky Republicans Rep. Paul Bailey, and Senate candidates Richard Briggs and Ed Jackson received $1,000. CCA's disclosure shows a $500 contribution to Republican Rep. Susan Lynn (http://www.nashvillescene.com/pitw/archives/2014/11/04/political donors of ill repute c cas last minute spending) ========== Occupancy ========== In a letter to 48 state governors in 2012, the largest for profit private prison company in the US, Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), offered to buy up and operate public state prisons. In exchange, states would have to sign a 20 year contract guaranteeing a 90 percent occupancy rate throughout the term. No one took them up on it, but it shows the target here. Three privately run prisons in Arizona have contracts that require 100 percent inmate occupancy, so the state is obligated to keep its prisons filled to capacity. Otherwise it has to pay the private company for any unused beds.
Here are six of the most shocking facts about prison privatization and corporatization, from the report. 1. 65 percent of the private prison contracts ITPI received and analyzed included occupancy guarantees in the form of quotas or required payments for empty prison cells (a low crime tax ). These quotas and low crime taxes put taxpayers on the hook for guaranteeing profits for private prison corporations. 2. Occupancy guarantee clauses in private prison contracts range between 80% and 100%, with 90% as the most frequent occupancy guarantee requirement. 3. Arizona, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Virginia are locked in contracts with the highest occupancy guarantee requirements, with all quotas requiring between 95% and 100% occupancy. 4. Though crime has dropped by a third in the past decade, an occupancy requirement covering three for profit prisons has forced taxpayers in Colorado to pay an additional $2 million. 5. Three Arizona for profit prison contracts have a staggering 100% quota, even though a 2012 analysis from Tucson Citizen shows that the company s per day charge for each prisoner has increased an average of 13.9% over the life of the contracts. 6. A 20 year deal to privately operate the Lake Erie Correctional Institution in Ohio includes a 90% quota, and has contributed to cutting corners on safety, including overcrowding, areas without secure doors and an increase in crime both inside the prison and in the surrounding community. http://www.salon.com/2013/09/23/6_shocking_revelations_about_how_private_prisons_ make_money_partner/ ================ Additional Reading ================ Justice Policy Institute (JPI / justicepolicy.org) report
Gaming The System: How Political Strategies Of Private Prison Companies Promote Ineffective Incarceration Policies (2011) Ref http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/gaming_the_system.pdf STRATEGY 1: CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS STRATEGY 2: LOBBYING STRATEGY 3: RELATIONSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS25