Reference no: EM133714185

Problem

After slavery was abolish, the concept of privatizing prisons emerged as a means to replace the reliance on slave labor. This shift occurred independently from abolition economic structures like debt peonage and sharecropping. Private companies were buying black convict to perform back-breaking labor in coal mines, turpentine factories and lumber camps (Bowman, n.d). Private entities could manage prisons efficiently and cost effectively with black labor. Proponents argue that privatized prisons offer savings, enhanced services and job opportunities. However, critics express worry about the profit-oriented nature of prisons, which could potentially jeopardize safety and welfare standards. In the documentary "Slavery by Another Name", it talks about how law enforcement arrest people of color for anything such as spitting on the ground. Issues surrounding transparency and human rights come into play when private corporations are involved in prison management. The privatization of prisons slavery era in America is a multifaceted issue that continues to spark debates regarding the involvement of private entities, in criminal justice. It highlights the pressing need for reforms to tackle incarceration while safeguarding the well-being of both inmates and staff. In today's society, African Americans still face challenges with the justice systems.