Republican Gov. Doug Ducey’s austere state budget proposal cuts funding for higher education and most state agencies, but lawmakers will be asked to increase prison spending to pay for a new 3,000-bed private facility that would generate tens of millions of dollars annually for the operator.
Last week, in AzCentral, critics – including Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio – said opening another private prison is a waste of money. Arpaio suggested the State save money by housing inmates in county jails. “Private prisons are not simply costly,” said Arpaio. “They also force the state to cede control over inmate rehabilitation to companies whose goal is to maximize profits by keeping prisoners in custody for longer.”
He went on to say, “When you are talking about private industry, no matter what it is, whether it’s a prison or selling milk, you are there to make a profit,” Arpaio said. “I’m sure they (private-prison operators) are happy and are ‘more the merrier’ when more inmates come into their facilities. … I would be happy if no one came back to jail, but I don’t think a private prison would be happy if no one came back.”
Friday morning, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu joined Sheriff Arpaio when he said there was no need for another private prison. “If I can take 600 to 700 [inmates] myself I know that the other sheriffs could take another couple of thousand.” Babeu added, “Not only do jails like his have the space but counties could use the money. It would actually help solve a financial crisis for the County.”