Texas Prison Bid'ness

Private prison effectiveness and cost-savings will be amongst the items the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice will study before the 81st Session. According to the committee charges, available in their entirety here, the committee will

Determine how private prisons are complying with state laws and how cost, safety, living conditions and rehabilitative services at private prisons compare with state-run facilities. Include an assessment of the staff turnover rates and compensation of private contractors when compared with state-operated facilities, and of the contract bidding processes used by the Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

We'll have a more detailed post in the coming days, including a look at the Criminal Justice interim charges, and some suggestions for the commitee. I'm also sure that others in the blogosphere, including Grits for Breakfast, will weigh in the coming days.