The War on Drugs; Key to Understanding the Rise of the Prison Industrial Complex

"If you got a  non- violent drug offender, particularly if they're kids, (effectively kids, even if they're tried as adults, even if they're 18, 19, 20), the worst thing we can do is to lock them up for a long period of time without any education, (if they're functionally illiterate ), without any skills or training where they can get a real profession. They're now convicted felons. We release them, now they're 25- 26, they're out on the streets, can't be hired by anybody; what are they gonna do? They're gonna go back to dealing drugs! Only now they've probably become more locked into a life of crime because of their stay in a prison."  Then Candidate Barack Obama Using Rationale and Logic 

The American War on Drugs is a primary factor regarding the astounding rate of imprisonment in the US. It has proven to cause the disenfranchisement, racialization, and corruption of the American people, as well as vulgar displays of power within our political and justice system(s).

On a surface level, the notion of our government combating the drug epidemic may appear as a measure taken in order to protect all citizens of this great nation. Stamping out the flow of harmful substances that cause crime and spur crises at every level in communities across the country. In reality, conspiratorial factions were created, enacting a massive corruption of the democratic process. Funding allocated by the government is a one- sided affair in the drug war. The vast majority of resources poured in are used to enforce policies and tactics that have engendered a system where the actual victims of the struggle have become more victimized, and prison cells have become revolving doors.

Source: NORML

 

                              (Uploaded by FzyZ)                                                                                                



Just as prohibition of alcohol in the 1920's ushered in waves of violent crime, assaults, burglaries, etc., and contributed to economic and societal woes, destroying whole cities; our modern drug war, today's prohibition, has produced predictably similar results. The country bounced back in most areas after the ban on prohibition was lifted in the 30's, and criminal activities decreased noticeably. However, the "American experiment" with alcohol prohibition lasted little over a decade, whereas the war on drugs has had over 40 years to fester and mutate, turning into a cancerous sore, no clear finish- line in sight.

Richard Nixon fired the first shot in the war on drugs in 1971, declaring drug abuse as "public enemy number one in the United States", (see CNN video below). Nixon's battle- cry wasn't embraced by everyone, and critics soon chimed in. Milton Friedman, economist, Nobel Laureate, and Nixon's former election adviser, forecast the consequences should the government engage in such an aggressive action.

Included in Friedman's prognostications:

• The demand for drugs would not be stopped by laws. In fact, such laws would only make drugs more alluring to the naturally curious and impressionable youth.

• Criminal organizations will take advantage of the lucrative black market.

• People seeking drugs will associate with the larger criminal element, having little regard for their own safety, ultimately most of them begin to engage in criminal behavior as well.

• More potent drugs will eventually hit the streets as demand goes up, putting public health and safety at an even greater risk.

• Drug users affected by harsh drug laws would become resentful against authorities, thus less likely to respect other laws.

• Increased possibility of police and government officials becoming corrupt considering the stakes of the game.

• More and more citizens would be arrested and imprisoned for crimes that did not previously exist.

• More and more prisons will be built to house the increasingly jailed.

• Police resources will be diverted from solving more heinous crimes.

• Violent crime will rise in cities across America, as well as in countries which produce and smuggle drugs into our own.  

                                                                    Uploaded by: CNN

By all accounts Friedman was right, and then some.

"Why are there so many more people in prison now than there used to be?"

"It's because we declared a war, a literal war on poor people of color. A war known as the war on drugs. The war on drugs and get tough movement is responsible for the quintupling of our nation's prison population in the space of a few short decades." ~ Michelle Alexander

"The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness"
Legal Scholar, civil rights activist, former director of the Racial Justice Project at the ACLU, Michelle Alexander, authored a book exposing the system of mass incarceration in the US and the deeply rooted, powerful, behind- the- scenes forces that use our criminal justice system to impose racial politics. Thanks largely to the war on drugs, nearly half of America's black men are either currently serving time or are permanently labeled convicted felons, depriving them of the right to take part in the democratic process; the right to vote.
As Professor Alexander notes, policies and laws enacted on behalf of the drug war have resurrected and revised the old pro- segregation Jim Crow laws. Old attitudes thought finally squashed, especially with the election of our first black president in 2008, still persist and pervade our society. A veil has been placed over the American people, lulling us into a trance whispering "everything is just fine, move along now." Though one only needs to pause, open your eyes a little wider, pull back the curtains, and allow yourself to engage in an honest inspection and open conversation about the problem we thought was no more. A simple look at the numbers provides a scary overview of the situation. With staggering numbers of black males under control of the criminal justice system, forever relegated to second- class citizens and treated as such, a set, racial caste system is alive and well in America. Social structures in prisons alone are eerily reminiscent of the days of full- on segregation. Blacks with the blacks, whites with whites, so on and so forth. We've already explored the slave labor aspects of prison life, combine that with the massively disproportion amount of minorities serving time, shuffling in shackles, and the image is one right out of pre- Civil War America.
   
In "American Drug War: The Last White Hope", activist, author, and documentary film maker Kevin Booth attempts to take on the similar, arduous task as Alexander; trying to make sense of the drug war, its battlegrounds, players, and victims. Starting with US involvement in Vietnam and Nixon's initial war- cry, Booth introduces a cast of insiders from politicians, policymakers, law enforcement, former CIA operatives, and private citizens directly affected by the conflict. Once peeling back the layers of history, we see a winding path with many twists and turns begin to appear. Coming upon each bend we see big money being exchanged between corporations and governments. Questioning the motives that go into making our modern drug laws, and what drugs our legislators deem acceptable enough to push on the American public, Booth maintains claims that the CIA and other US agencies were involved in trafficking drugs into America , (see this video too), that inevitably made their way into lower- class neighborhoods, and those of color. The abundance of evidence to suggest that our government was involved in poisoning its own people is not only a disgrace, but lends credence to the theory that these actions led to the crack epidemic that exploded in the 80's, creating a ripple effect- turned- tidal wave crashing onto the American cityscape.    

We'll Take That, Thank You Very Much

State and local task forces are financially rewarded for increasing the volume of drug related arrests, and not for who they're locking up.
The 1984 Crime Bill regarding the seizure of assets obtained during a drug arrest, (assets include money, cars, boats, houses, property, etc.), as described on the Department of Justice's website encompasses "the seizure and forfeiture of assets that represent proceeds that were used to commit federal crimes." Now why the DOJ focused solely on drug- related crimes compels intense scrutiny. Though we can see that the structure of the law dramatically increased arrest rates, and fostered corruption nationwide. A loophole of sorts was implemented that allows local officials to share the bounty with federal authorities when such arrests were made. This law helped to create major profit motive/incentive on part of authorities to lock as many people up as possible. It's the very same principal as making a commission on a sale. The more property seized in these targeted drug arrests, the more kickback local authorities get from the government. In 2008, the US Dept. of Justice's Assets Forfeiture Fund held over $1 billion dollars, in stark contrast with the $93.7 million it took in when created in 1986.

Now you may imagine that drug kingpins were the source of all goods seized by local, state, and federal governments. Not so. Four out of 5 persons are arrested for drug possession/use. How often do we hear about the latest drug kingpin that just got busted? Who is this war against?
A Dutch documentary on the American drug war followed one police unit who boastfully remarked on their ability to shake- down anyone caught engaging in drug activity. Even taking the gold fillings from some poor crackhead seemed to be a source of amusement for the officers. The fact is, drug addicts and small time offenders are the easiest targets, and require a lot less work on the part of police. Echoing Friedman; increased police corruption, and divergence of resources and man power to handle these petty crimes while the big fish freely swim away.

PBS also featured a story on the forfeiture of assets and the corruption the bill inspires. Rudy Ramirez was pulled over by police in Kansas City who had "suspected" him of trafficking drugs. When the police only found the $6,000 in cash Ramirez secured for his road trip, they confiscated it under the law, regarding the money as possible drug currency. Although the cops found no evidence of wrong- doing, and Ramirez was not detained, the man never got his money back.

I came across case upon case of similar instances while researching this story, though it seems like just about everyone I've spoken with is oblivious to not only this type of behavior, but are also entirely ill- informed about the massive rates of incarceration, and even the existence of private entities involved in the US prison business. Are people being led to believe in a portrait of America that doesn't exist?, are they misinformed by the outlets who are there to raise awareness of these vital issues?, or do they simply prefer to remain ignorant despite the damning evidence?     

  
A Solution Perhaps?

My humble proposal is this; Instead of building prisons, let's start building communities. Let's reinvest in the cities, towns, and neighborhoods that we've allowed to circle the drain. More resources aimed at treatment and prevention are what's needed, not more policing and incarceration of which we have seen the disastrous results. How about creating environments that foster positive growth and inspiration, rather than enabling degradation and demolition of the human spirit. Perhaps if law enforcement put efforts towards bridging gaps between our communities most in need, the racial stereotyping being practiced may cease. Animosity and resentment felt by those individuals subjected to constant harassment based off their complexion/ neighborhood only breeds negative reinforcement regarding the person's future, possibilities, hopes, and dreams. Such things can become dashed when you're immediate environment doesn't exactly foster positive role models, and when those who are there to "protect and serve" constantly treat you like an expected criminal. Why instill such ill- will and darkened heart in another human being? Especially the young who are either affected by direct police action, or have to cope with seeing family members treated unjustly, sometimes jailed, leaving behind broken homes.

We are indeed a drug culture, a violent culture, a culture of people struggling with our own personal concepts of "Freedom" in the U- S- of- A. While we allow alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drug corporations to push their wears on the people, and government bows down and bargains with them to influence legislation and dictate what's moral, we will never have a real say in how our country is run.
Get Up! Act! Now's Your Time! 

For More Info On Related Issues, Check Out The Links Below-

School to Prison Pipeline
Special Report by Tavis Smiley 
                                                                                  


School to Prison Pipeline, Kid Faces Harsh Sentencing After Bringing Blow-Up Doll To School- The Young Turks report

Returning War Vets Adding to Expanding Prison Pop: Occupy Oakland Media

"The Caging of America", Great Article by the New Yorker  

 ADDITIONAL FACTS & STATS: Prison Policy.org

Stop & Frisk, and 3 StrikesYou're Out at the Old Ball Game!

                                  

Not Enough People of Color Being Profiled Under Controversial Stop- &- Frisk Policy According to NYPD Commissioner

ABC Report Uploaded by BestViews4Life

Commissioner Ray Kelly expressed that not enough people of color are being "stopped and frisked" under the controversial NYPD practice. Notoriously known for affecting black and Latino communities the most, (males in particular), a near 90% of people targeted under stop- and- frisk procedure are those of color. Despite the enormous discrepancy in numbers, Mr. Kelly's still not satisfied. 

The commissioner's comments regarding the long- time NYPD practice were uttered in response to a recent lawsuit filed against the city and its policing tactics. The Center for Constitutional Rights, (CCR), entered their second class- action lawsuit against the city in early April. The suit was initially filed in 2008, partially based off data compiled by CCR gained via a 1999 lawsuit against the city pertaining to the same issue- the unconstitutionality of stop- and- frisk policy. 
CCR's first action against the city was taken soon after the infamous shooting of Amadou Diallo. The 22 year old, unarmed, innocent Guinean man who was gunned down by 41 shots in his doorway while pulling out his wallet to identify himself to four surrounding police officers. In the case of of the young immigrant, Diallo payed the highest price for what seemed to be another episode of racial profiling from the New York Police Department. Ultimately the officers involved in the shooting were acquitted of any and all wrong- doing. 

Groups like CCR aim to end constitutional violations which lead to abuses of power, which in turn lead to deprivation of freedoms and rights, which then can sometimes lead to innocent people getting killed.

As in the first suit, CCR is representing "anyone who's been illegally stopped in NY in violation of the 4th and 14th Amendments."  The 4th Amendment protects against illegal search and seizure, while the 14th not only granted equal citizenship to "former slaves" when it was passed, but it also forbids states from denying any citizen of "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." In other words; the state can't just go around harassing and arresting people without probable cause, and they certainly can't selectively rob American citizens of their freedom without damn good reasoning and a fair trial. The biased- orientated stop- and- frisk practice of the NYPD infringes on the rights of many law- abiding citizens. The impact is even worse though when the attitude of the police department breeds contempt, anger, and fear in the communities they're supposed to "protect and serve."  

David Floyd, a 33 year old Bronx Medical Student,(also the name attached to the suit, Floyd v. New York), has been victimized twice by police. When asked about the impact NYC policing policies have had on him personally Mr. Floyd stated; "It's a scary thing... You don't what's going to happen with your life, you don't know what's going to happen with your freedom."
Freedom, that thing we hold oh- so- dear. All of us. 

NY Times, 1970's NYC

Brief Lesson in History, And As Always, it Keeps Repeating

In theory, the original implementation of stop- and- frisk seemed a reasonable one. The practice began in the early 70's when crime rates in NYC were astronomical. That era previewed a scene populated by pimps and prostitutes lording over Times Square, junkies and drug dealers openly carrying on in their ways. It was also a time of massive police corruption that seeped into almost every precinct. The economic downturn that contributed to the "seedy apple" in the 70's, and the level of criminality birthed dramatic scandal, but also introduced characters like Frank Serpico, then police officer- turned- whistle- blower.

  - Taken from The Daily Mail; "Gritty 1970's Pictures of NYC" 

Serpico Testifying Against Fellow Officers

  

Whistle- Blowers; Essential Voices Maintaining Democracy   

 

Stop- and- Frisk Trial Reveals More Unconstitutional NYPD Practices As Exposed by Whistle- Blowers  

The recent trial in NY has brought fourth officers who, apparently themselves were fed up with unnecessary expectations placed on them by higher- ups encouraging discriminatory targeting, and the fulfillment of quotas.

"We were handcuffing kids for no reason," said Officer Adhyl Polanco, one of a handful of cops who have submitted testimony against the department and the city. Polanco even when as far as recording in- precinct meetings which basically validate claims that the department did have a certain number of tickets, summons, and arrests they expected officers to make, and those were to be done in certain neighborhoods, on specific groups of people.

Kelly and other officials have brushed off the claims concerning quotas, (which are entirely illegal), and have stood by stop- and- frisk policy. Mayor Bloomberg has staunchly defended the legality of stop- and- frisk, citing that the disproportionate number of stops on minorities was not about being "politically correct." He even went so far as to imply that critics of the policy were racist themselves, reported by Mother Jones.

Nothing has resulted in the trial as of yet, (well, other than some pretty damning testimony against NYPD), though some predict it's outcome could influence similar policies practiced in other cities and states.

Source: Mother Jones- Majority of stops lead to drug- related seizures. Weapons such as knives, brass- knuckles, etc are 2nd. Small minority of white people stopped lead in # of seizures that produced drugs or "other" weapons. Vast majority of stops performed on blacks then Hispanics produced the most guns. Given the disproportionate amount of stops executed on people of color, a fair and accurate analysis of this policy is impossible.      

 Though the law was supposedly put in place to slow the flow of guns on city streets, since its implementation only 1.2% of stops have yielded guns. The vast majority lead to minor, drug- related arrests.


The Stop and Frisk law is not dissimilar from Arizona's SB1070, allowing police to stop anyone they deem to be "suspicious", and even conduct random searches and pat- downs. That's treading on very thin ice, and contributes to the idea of the nation become like a police state. Some say we are already. Me, I'm not sure. It seems we're in a time of great contention. Emerging progressive voices growing louder, calling for social reform. However these voices fall on the willingly deaf ears of system heads, leaving echoes in their wake.

Former NYC Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, an "unapologetic" proponent of stop- and- frisk, and the man responsible for similar policies in other states, has now been taken on as a consultant for public safety in Oakland, California. I would venture to guess there's little doubt that he will encourage the same type of police tactics. Bratton, once referred to as "the father of suppression policing" , is a watched figure by groups like the NAACP and NYCLU.

 AAAND YOU'RE OUT!

Another measure adopted by states that has fostered racial stereotyping, and assisted in feeding the US prison population is the 3 strikes law. Washington state was the first to pass such legislation in the early 90's, and by 2003 over half the states had enacted similar measures. The details of the law vary from state- to- state, but the general policy dictates that anyone convicted of 3 major offenses receives a mandatory- minimum sentence of 25 years- to- life in jail. In some states the 3rd offense must be a violent felony, but in others the 3rd offense can be a minor infraction and still land the offender life in prison.
The law certainly has its place when applied to repeat violent offenders and sexual deviants, but as critics point out often times the sentences handed down to others are disproportionate to the crime(s) that were committed.

California was notorious for their 3rd strike policy, but the state has changed its tune somewhat with the passage of Prop 36, which has made it so the 3rd offense must be a violent felony. Unfortunately this won't help people like Curtis Wilkerson who was sentenced to 25- to- life before the recent passing of Prop 36. In an article entitled, "Cruel and Unusual Punishment: The Shame of Three Strikes Laws" by RollingStone magazine, Wilkerson recalls his story from prison of being sent away 18 years ago for stealing a pair of socks that cost $2.50. Wilkerson is one of many examples of the disparities in sentencing and racial inequality that opponents of 3 strikes laws use as ammunition for the reform of our criminal justice system. Non- profits like The Sentencing Project are a good place to start to learn more about needed transformation in the way America conducts its business of crime and punishment.     

Policies like stop- and- frisk, 3 strike laws, mandatory minimums contribute to these negatively distorted, cookie- cutter expectations society has placed on poorer Americans and citizens of color. What's more chilling; these policies help sustain the supply of Americans needed for the prison industrial complex.     

Recent, Related Story- 
79 LAPD Officers Break- Up Predominantly Black USC Graduation Party, While Ignoring Mostly White Party Across The Street- ABC Report

The Economics of Prison Slavery

"This multimillion- dollar industry has its own trade exhibitions, conventions, websites, and mail- order/Internet catalogs. It also has direct advertising campaigns, architecture companies, construction companies, investment houses on Wall Street, plumbing companies, food supply companies, armed security, and padded cells in a large variety of colors." ~ Left Business Observer

ThinkProgress.org

"Bad" Guys Making Your Goods

Many people when they think of prison labor envision a bunch inmates pressing license plates, or perhaps engaging in work similar to wood- shop class in high school. If you are one of these folks; think again. As many as 37 states have legalized the contracting of prison labor by private corporations. From companies that sell wholesale heart attack processed foods to the American public, to the creme- de- la creme of big business like: IBM, Microsoft, Macy's, Wal- Mart, JC Penney, Boeing, Intel, Nordstrom's, Target, Nintendo, and even Victoria's Secret. So yeah, that bra and panty set you're wearing, or the one you just purchased for that special someone; there's a very good chance that satin and lace was sewn and packaged in a dangerous place.

In 1997 two California prisoners were put in solitary confinement for telling a journalist they had been ordered to replace "Made in Honduras" labels on garments with "Made in the USA."

Perhaps most surprising of all the goods produced by American prisoners are those made for the American military. Then again, maybe not so surprising; Military Industrial Complex, meet the Prison Industrial Complex. Oh what a happy union, the system that feeds itself. According to the Left Business Observer the federal prison industry produces: 100% of all military helmets, ammunition belts, bullet proof vests, ID tags, shirts, pants, tents, bags, and canteens    

A great deal of these prisoners receive wages as little as .23 cents an hour, and some as much as up to $2 for an hours worth of work. In privately owned prisons wages paid to prisoners are, not surprisingly, the lowest. Keep in mind, a great deal of these incarcerated persons are NOT in jail for major offenses. The fact that private companies and even our own government benefit greatly from cheap prison labor only drives incentive to keep these slave workers in their factories. If you owned a business, (and maybe morality just isn't your cup of tea), who would you rather have working for you? The guy asking for a reasonable salary?, or the guy that will take whatever pennies you can throw at 'em because he really doesn't have much choice in the matter? The market for forced prison labor is akin to a true capitalists wet dream. Instead of these companies shipping their workload to third- world markets thus taking job opportunities away from your average American citizen, they have now devised a way to maintain harsh working conditions and slave wages in the US, while still taking job opportunities away from a country that is in desperate need of real economic growth. Despicable, and shameful.
Also, these prisoners aren't getting skills they can take with them out into the public sphere, (if released, and if not branded a felon), that would assist in obtaining gainful employment on the outside.

 

Lots of People Making $ Off the Ever- Expanding Prison System. Don't Worry, It's Nobody You or I Know

"We feel very, very good about the business prospects" ~ CCA Rep at the annual American Corrections Association, (ACA), convention

 In 1982 the state prison system budget was 9 Billion Dollars. As of 2009 the budget surpasses 60 Billion Dollars. Although crime rates have been dropping for well over a decade, The amount of money spent on prisons has increased almost 600%, (while money spent on education increased a mere 33%). With all this money being poured into an overcrowded, and seemingly unnecessary prison system; who's benefiting? "All of these things are terrible, but they are good for business", CompuDyne CEO Martin Roenigk was quoted in a CNN article entitled, "The Hard Cell." Roegnigk was blindly commenting on the rapid rise of incarceration rates, (not giving much thought to the fact that crime rates are down, yet the prison pop is up), and the subsequent need for companies like his who manufacture various "lock- down" security related equipment specifically for prisons. At the time the CNN article was published, the company was expecting an overall revenue of $140 million dollars up from the $20 million they started out with in the mid- 90's.
The annual American Corrections Association draws hundreds of vendors pitching everything from "finger- puppet tooth brushes, suicide resistant toilets, transport vehicles, and uniforms." By all accounts, these companies do not starve. 

Prison overcrowding is perhaps the worst in California. Corrections Corporation of America, as well as other private detention centers, happily take on any crop of inmates they can get from overcrowded state and federal facilities.

Making money off phone calls is also a very lucrative business for both service provider and prison. A $1 billion dollar market, inmates can rack up as much as a thousand dollars worth of phone calls in one month. Not difficult to imagine when caller rates are at least 4 times that of a phone call not from prison, and also the needs of inmates to communicate with family on the outside keep them spending. In CCA's largest detention center in Lumpkin, GA, a facility that pulls in between 35- to- 60 million dollars annually, inmates are charged $5 a minute for phone calls while only being payed $1 a day for their labor. 

Indeed, the slave economy is alive and well. Traditionally worked by blacks, American Latinos, those from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds. Now adding to the working plantations we have the influx of immigrants being caged by the powerful instead of nestled by that "mighty woman with a torch" who now hollowly cries- "Give Me Your Poor, Your Tired, Your Huddled Masses Yearning To Be FREE!"            

"Prison Labor Booms In US As Low- Cost Inmates Bring Billions", Uploaded by RT, YouTube
Fairly despicable display of reckless capitalism and human bondage as reported by Russia Today.



The Fiscal Conservative Argument Against Mass Incarceration; Still Maintaining Core "Tough on Crime" Principles, but With More Cost- Effective, Even Faith- Based Alternatives -
Read the recently published, "Conservative Case Against More Prisons"

Rise of the Prison Industrial Complex

"The fact is, we now have 2 million people who are locked up. We have by far the largest prison population per- capita of any country on earth." ~ President- to- be Barack Obama, 2008

Private prisons in the the US are the natural result of the very profitable "Prison Industrial Complex." A business that has grown substantially over the past few decades thanks, in part, to corporations lobbying congress to pass tougher, and unnecessary legislation in order to feed their bottom line. This is where you should be concerned: Their feeding trough is the American public.

The number of Americans imprisoned has risen with each passing president. Our society has more people locked up than any other in recorded history, think about that. As federal and state prisons fill, more private prisons are being built. And guess what? They need filling too.

Surely prisons are a necessity. There's no need to delve into the sicker side of human behavior, but that's why we have a public justice system. So why are we entrusting entities such as private corporations to control, and regulate criminals? These are businesses that thrive and depend on depriving people of freedom. Private corporations gobbling up our tax dollars, publicly trading human beings as stocks on Wall Street, banking on the punishment of others, most often the undeserved.

I am of the mind that those who commit the greater ills remain at large, managing to dodge their comeuppance. In short; it seems we're targeting and locking up the wrong people, and have been doing so at increasing rates for way too long now.

For Comparative Statistics by Country, Click Here

Anonymous Art of Revolution

Land of the Not- So- Free

The #'s According to the ACLU

The US Comprises Only 5% Of The World's Population, But 25% Of The World's Prison Population

Since 1970, Our Prison Population Has Increased A Starling 700%

1 In 99 Adults In Our Country Are Locked Up. This Marks The Highest Rate Of Imprisonment     In US History

1 In 31 Adults Are Under Some Form of Correctional Control, Including Prison, Jail, Probation, And Parole         


There are approximately 18 privately owned corporations that are contracted by state and government officials to build and manage correctional facilities in the US. Part of the appeal in states eyes' is that these companies offer cheaper and more efficient management compared to the state taking on the responsibility to run their own institutions. Not having to fuss with unions, private corporations are free to hire whom ever they like, regardless of qualification(s). As a result, non- union, inexperienced employees are hired to work these severely understaffed facilities, and "guard" the the people in them.

"The secret to low operating costs is having a minimal number of guards for the maximum number of prisoners" ~ Russel Boraas, Private Prison Administrator in Virginia  

While that business model may work in the eyes of these corporations, could the same philosophy be applied to other businesses? I think not. Just imagine how much your night would be ruined when you and the family go out for your weekly Applebees dinner only to find that half the servers called out sick. So now the place is packed, people are pissed, (including the unfortunate servers who didn't call out and now have to deal with the hungry- now- raucous Friday night crowd), and you leave without getting a table or some grub. Now imagine such a scenario in a caged, entirely more hostile and complex environment. What would be the results? Not good according to the litany of complaints coming out of private prisons.   

GEO Group and Corrections Corporation of America, (CCA), are the largest, most profitable private prison companies in this country. Both corporations are based in the US, though GEO Group is a global entity so they make money off incarcerating a larger portion of the world's populace. However, with the US's penchant for punishment, it seems that GEO Group set up their offices where their market is most profitable.

Just like other private prison corporations, GEO has been subject to harsh criticism and subsequent investigations concerning human rights violations in their facilities. One recent scandal was exposed by a 2012 report put out by the US Department of Justice who had spent 2 years looking into Walnut Grove, a GEO managed correctional facility for juvenile males given adult sentences in Mississippi. As relayed by NPR , some of the abuses highlighted in the Justice Department's investigation included: 

• Prison staff engaging in sexual conduct with minors

• Poorly trained guards using excessive violence as a first response, in one instance beating a minor to a pulp 
• "Deliberately" allowing prison- made shanks used in gang assaults and rapes

• Guards not just passively allowing, but also inciting and taking part in violence amongst the detained

• Some of the prison's guards were found to be known gang members

This report was particularly heinous because it involved abuses against minors. Though a simple Google search will churn out dozens upon dozens of reports, articles, videos, etc. dealing with the utter lack of professionalism, dignity, care, and respect for human life exhibited in privately run institutions. The ACLU has been speaking out publicly against companies like GEO and CCA, and have taken a strong stance on basic human and civil rights violations on behalf of prisoners across America. By clicking the link above you can read more about their advocacy work, and how you can get involved.
WARNING: Contains Scenes of Violence.
 In this video uploaded by aclu videos we see the violent nature of prison life, the total disregard for humanity, and lack of accountability on part of CCA guards in one of their facilities in Idaho    

Influence of Shady Dealings, Special Interests, and Blind Capitalism on Mass Incarceration in the U-S- of- A

Examplarery of how influential these corporations can be in American politics and policy making is the case of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer who accepted significant campaign funding from CCA and GEO Group. Both companies have profited heavily from the incarceration of immigrants, a practice that the state of Arizona has practically perfected. Brewer, who just happens to have 2 former CCA lobbyists on payroll, helped to push the state's controversial SB 1070 bill into law. The bill came under fire upon arrival in 2010 due to unconstitutional  provisions held within. While the US Supreme Court scrapped certain aspects of the bill, they ultimately upheld its founding principle which is based on racial profiling- the requirement of local authorities to arrest citizens who police may "suspect" are undocumented. And off what evidence, other than skin color, would an officer deem a person to be suspicious? 
Either way, the passing of SB 1070 has boost business for CCA. The company currently operates 6 detention centers in Arizona, (make- up of the populations include immigrants and minor offenders from 4 different states), and they've recently been awarded with their first contract to run an AZ state prison. There has been, fortunately, an audible public outcry against the corrupt practices of CCA and their dealings with government. Hopefully our bumbling, buzzarding congress will tone down their crowing and listen for a change. Care to find out more?, Then check out "Cell- Out Arizona; CCA's Dirty 30."

Brewer's political and financial relationship with CCA and GEO sounds almost kosher when compared to other behind- the- scenes involvement and effect on policy- making. National Public Radio broke a story concerning the drafting of the anti- immigration bill and its original authors. Arizona state Senator Russel Pearce claims to be the authoritative voice behind SB 1070, but the bill was actually crafted by the semi- secretive group American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC. Pearce is a member of ALEC along with other state legislators and representatives, powerful corporations like ExxonMobil, Corrections Corporation of America, and special interests groups such as the NRA. This group has a specific agenda apart from the needs of your average American citizen. They create "profit- driven, model legislation" on behalf of corporate America, not you, behind closed doors. Since the inception of SB 1070 in AZ, approximately 30 other states have adopted similar legislation.
 To learn more about the controversial group "you've never heard of", check out the special report, "The United States of ALEC", by esteemed journalist Bill Moyers. 

I find myself astonished at the lack of transparency and level of hypocrisy that any group, "secret" or not, other than the democratic public majority, would have any effect whatsoever on public policy. Instead of our elected officials serving the people, they're serving a cast of bigwigs with ulterior desires, motives, and incentives. 
Can you live with that?