Overcrowded State Prisons
The article states that the high cost of expanding California’s overcrowded prison system has renewed calls for reform. Unfortunately, the article presents no reform--only two poor choices: spend billions for additional prisons or parole more prisoners.
Real reform will begin when we understand that if government tries to supply something that the free market can provide, the result will be inferior goods or services at a higher price.
The solution to our prison problem is to realize that a government monopoly again has failed. To provide enough prison space without either cost or paroling felons, we can utilize privately owned prisons in a free market. Government only needs to establish basic prison standards and pay a fee for each prisoner incarcerated.
Inventive individuals and good business people soon could provide California with all the prison space required.
DOMINICK J. ODORIZZI, Northridge
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