Pull the Plug on Private Prisons

After the House overwhelmingly passed a version of "Jessica's Law" to strengthen penalties for sexual predators, a conference committee inserted language to permit private-for-profit prisons in Kansas.

No hearings were held.  No study, discussion, or debate was conducted on whether private prisons make sense. 

Please urge your representatives and the conference committee to stand firm for a law to punish sexual predators and to oppose efforts to enrich out-of-state corporations that will pay substandard wages while endangering public safety.

 

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Oppose private prisons

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I believe that we must be serious about the sexual abuse of children, I am strongly opposed to sneaking private prisons into Kansas attaching it to such an important bill.

I believe that private prisons should be looked at on their own merits.

Private prisons have a poor record. Not only do they pay poor wages, they have a high escape rate.

Don't endanger Kansas communities with private prisons.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 23, 2006


Background Information

HOUSE BILL 2576

BACKGROUND: Originally, this bill imposed stricter penalties on sexual predators, and passed overwhelmingly. However, language was inserted that would allow private prisons to be built and operated in Kansas. The private prisons issue is unpopular especially among House members. House Bill 2576 remains in a conference committee where five members have agreed to allow the private prisons language to remain in the sexual predator bill, also known as "Jessica’s Law" after the young Florida girl who was kidnapped, raped and killed by a sexual predator.

When the Legislature returns April 26, it will again be asked to concur or nonconcur with the conference committee report. Lawmakers are in the predicament of voting down "Jessica’s Law" to derail private prisons and face negative voter reaction during this election year because opponents will brand them as soft of sexual predators.

  • We favor strong penalties for sexual predators but not at the expense of state-run prisons.
  • The Private prisons issue should be debated on its own merits and not inserted into a popular bill through shrewd political maneuvering.
  • Community safety will be endangered if private prisons were allowed to operate.  Statistics show a higher escape ratio than with state-run facilities that are staffed by well-trained corrections officers.
  • Economic development in a community and surrounding area of a private prison is not guaranteed, although proponents of private prisons will say otherwise.