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Analysis: States look to save with lockdowns, private prisons

“Release is not the only option there in California. There is capacity elsewhere,” said James F. Blumstein, director of the Health Policy Center at Vanderbilt University, who has researched private prisons.

They may also get an additional boost if California’s leaders lower prison spending from the level proposed by Governor Jerry Brown in his state budget plan.

“If I’m a public manager looking to build a prison why should I use scarce public capital resources when I can have a five-year contract with a private company?” Blumstein said.

Your analysis quotes James F. Blumstein, director of the Health Policy Center at Vanderbilt University,” who has researched private prisons.”

Mr. Blumstein was paid by CCA for research. I don’t think Mr. Blumstein is a disinterested party in this issue any more than I am (on the other side).

Ken Kopczynski

Private Correction Working Group

You raise a valid point. While this person is only mentioned twice – once with a plain fact and the other with a fairly obvious argument – any connection such as the one you suggest should have been made clear in the story.

This serves as a cautionary tale for all of our journalists in seeking sources: GBU Editor

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