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. 

The evidence is clear:  Private, for-profit prisons are more expensive, less safe, and less accountable to taxpayers.  In spite of the obvious failure of prison privatization in Arizona, state leaders are poised to award multi-million dollar contracts for 5,000 new private prison beds.  AFSC calls on the Arizona Legislature and Governor Jan Brewer to immediately halt this irresponsible course of action.

Watch the Tucson Public Hearing on Prison Privatization 

View research and background materials on prison privatization

Below you will find an index of testimonies regarding the prison privatization.

Testimony of Victoria Lopez, Immigrant Rights Advocate, ACLU-AZ

Prior to joining the ACLU, Victoria worked in private practice focusing on removal defense and detention matters. She was formerly an Equal Justice Works Fellow and Staff Attorney at the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project where she provided legal representation, pro se assistance and advocated for changes in the conditions of confinement for immigrant men and women detained in Florence and Eloy, Arizona. She served as the executive director of the Florence Project from 2005-2007. Victoria received her J.D.

Comments Tucson Forum 10-27-201V Lopez.pdf

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Testimony of Jim Moss, Citizens Opposed to Globe Becoming a Prison Town

Jim Moss, Citizens Opposed to Globe Becoming a Prison Town of Globe, Arizona presents his testimony.

JMossSafeguards for Citizens fron Prison Industry 10-26-10.pdf

Testimony of Carrie Ann Shirota, Attorney at Law, Wailuku, Hawaii

Attorney and justice advocate Carrie Ann Shirota of Hawaii , underscores the problems associated with prison privatization and interstate prisoner transfers.

shirotaArizona Hearing Prison Privatization.pdf

Prisoner questionaire responses

Excerpts from responses to a prisoner questionnaire sent to inmates in private prisons in Arizona.

prisonerquestionaire responses.pdf