I agree that county jails have gross revenue from various sources, including hefty markups on phone calls and commissary products, and in some cases fees for housing state prisoners.
I know of no examples in which these gross revenues are sufficient to make the jail a source of net revenue to the county.
I feel like I’m back in finance class. I thought this was a horse forum.
Some people would argue about the color of grass if they were given a chance
You mean some people would say it is not green? /s
Wasn’t talking to you, Yankee.
Can’t you read it? It was a regular post.
Maybe you should have sent a PM if a regular post upsets you.
Given that it was a regular post, @Joanne, why would you then say you “weren’t talking to [me]? As a regular post, you are “talking” to anybody logged on at the time.
I think your clever little jabs bother other posters more than they bother me.
Lordy. SMH.
They don’t, not in the slightest. Speak for yourself, instead of making broad brush personal commentary about others, ok? 
You must be a real riot at parties.
This is interesting.
I happened upon the cost list for the commissary at a federal prison (I could never find it again - to clarify this was a couple of years ago) and I was shocked at how reasonable everything was priced. I think the Twizzlers were cheaper than I can buy them at the gas station.
Clearly the commissary prices are facility specific and it does make sense that an outside company would be charging more.
Really rich. 
To the extent this discussion was ever about Barisone, it was remarked that since he is pretrial he is stuck in a county jail and county jails, since they are not intended for long term incarceration, tend to be worse than prisons.
From what I’ve read, Federal prisons are almost cushy compared to most state prisons, and are sometimes referred to as Club Fed.
So clearly you didn’t read anything I posted past where I quoted you. Including the part about these companies being publicly traded. So no, it’s not just the “compensation earned by the prison management,” as you insist. I’m not sure why you are digging in so hard. For profit prisons are all over the U.S., have been for years and are somewhat controversial. But you go ahead and think what you like. It doesn’t change anything and doesn’t make you correct.
I agree with Mondo, for profit prisons are all over the US. Yes, they are controversial. But they exist widely.
I don’t understand why we are going down this rabbit hole.
Interesting article… https://nonprofitquarterly.org/the-future-of-the-private-prison-industry-under-a-biden-harris-administration/
I think there’s some confusion over how contracting out government services works.
Government at any level can run a prison, seniors home, garbage collection, etc directly. Own the facility, pay the employees, out of geberal revenue (tax dollars) and such user fees as are possible.
Or they can contract out. They pay a lump sum to a private entity o run a service. The entity could be a nonprofit society or charity, or it could be a for profit corporation.
A for profit corporation contracting to do nursing homes or prisons will only do so if they can figure out a way to make a profit over and above all salaries and expenses. So they have a strong motive to cut salaries, cut staffing levels, cut services, and add on user fees. Many of these corporations are publicly listed, sell shares, and report their balance sheet annually.
They are making a profit because they are able to squeeze a profit out of the difference between what the government pays them and their expenses to run the facility.
The government couldn’t turn a profit on social services because they are the ones paying for it. The government might or might not be able to do the job for less than they pay the contractor, of course.
Similar to military contractors. They tend to do well and make a profit.
Not to mention that prisoners can reduce the county operating budget by providing free labor.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
