Private Prisons

az prison report cover

Download the complete report.

Listen to the press conference from the report's release.

February 15, 2012 the American Friends Service Committee’s Arizona office released an extensive report reviewing the safety, quality, and cost of private prisons in Arizona – including six prisons operated by Corrections Corporation of America but not under contract with the state. The report reveals widespread and persistent problems in private facilities around safety, lack of accountability, and cost.

Prison Overcrowding

Overcrowding in Califonria Prisons.

For decades, the American Friends Service Committee has worked with immigrants and prisoners in this nation, highlighting the often malicious treatment they face. In 2011, the private prison industry advocated for increasing detentions in many states. AFSC’s research has shown that private prisons have little accountability and poor safety conditions. We oppose profiting off human misery, and have worked to improve prison conditions and reduce the number of people detained.

prison through gate

Materials to help the reader understand AFSC's lawsuit against the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Arizona is bidding out for contracts to construct and manage 5,000 new private prison beds.  We have filed a legal complaint requesting an injunction to prevent the State of Arizona from awarding these contracts.