Private Prisons

AFSC holds Tucson Public Hearing on Prison Privatization

private prison panel in arizona

AFSC sponsored a Public Hearing on prison privatization in Arizona. This is a record of some of the testimonies and presentations given at the event.

Resources on Prison Privatization

In the wake of the escapes of three prisoners from a privately-operated prison in August of 2010 and the murder of a New Mexico couple by one escapee and an accomplice, Arizona legislators called for hearings to investigate what went wrong.  But no legislative hearings were ever held.  In response, through public hearings and exhaustive research, AFSC has done the “due diligence” on prison privatization that the state legislature has refused to do. 

TucsonCitizen.com: AFSC Calls for an Investigation into the Politics of Prison Privatization

The American Friends Service Committee and Beau Hodai (author of the groundbreaking article from In These Times on private prisons & Arizona) met on the lawn of the state house in Phoenix on Monday to hold a press conference calling for an end to for-profit prison influence peddling in Arizona.

AFSC Recommendations On Private Prisons in Arizona

Recent media reports have revealed the influence of the for-profit prison industry in the Governor’s office and have suggested that these corporations were behind SB1070, Arizona’s controversial immigration bill, which, if fully implemented, would likely have led to an increase in the number of immigrants held in ICE detention facilities in Arizona, the majority of which are operated by Corrections Corporation of America.

application/pdf iconAFSC_Recommendations_on_AZ_Prisons.pdf

Prison Privatization in Arizona

A briefing paper prepared by the American Friends Service Committee, Arizona Area Program on the private prisons in Arizona.  This paper highlights areas of concern including the health and safety of prison populations, the safety of the general public, escalating costs, and ethical violations and conflicts of interest among prison operators.

application/pdf iconAZ_Prison_Privatization_White_Paper.pdf

AFSC Arizona calls for ending private prisons

AFSC calls on Arizona to cancel private prison contracts, and investigate political influence of prison industry.

Arizona Public Media: Private Prisons: Risks and Benefits

Privately operated prisons are increasingly becoming the norm in Arizona. The state currently has eleven prisons operating under contract with for-profit corporations, but a recent escape by three inmates from the Kingman Prison Complex and the resulting murder of an elderly couple in New Mexico have raised questions about the role they play in Arizona.

Arizona Public Media: Private Prisons: Risks and Benefits

Privately operated prisons are increasingly becoming the norm in Arizona, and now a series of public hearings are being held to gather information concerning this trend. Luis Carrión spoke with Caroline Isaacs of the American Friends Service Committee, the group coordinating the public hearings.

Who we are

AFSC is a Quaker organization devoted to service, development, and peace programs throughout the world. Our work is based on the belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. Learn more

Where we work

AFSC has office around the world. To see a complete list see the Where We Work page.

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