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What could also make sense is paying the prison a lump sum for the convict instead of a per diem. This changes the incentive structure from keeping people locke

What could also make sense is paying the prison a lump sum for the convict instead of a per diem. This changes the incentive structure from keeping people locked up as long as possible to rehabilitating and releasing them as fast as possible.

Traster 6y ago
Just skip the rehab step entirely and just release them - it's cheaper for the prison and the increased chance of re-offending means they'll get another lump sum next go around too!
- dahfizz 6y ago
  That's not up to the prison. The only way for a convict to leave prison early is to convince the State that they are worth paroling. Therefore, the prison would be incentivized to work with the prisoners to encourage good behavior and to show the parole board that a prisoner is worth paroling.
ogre_codes 6y ago
> This changes the incentive structure from keeping people locked up as long as possible to rehabilitating and releasing them as fast as possible. So long as private prisons have a say in when a prisoner is released there is conflict of interest. If a private prison gets paid $100k for a prisoner, they are going to ensure they are released at the very soonest opportunity instead of detaining them as long as possible. If they get paid per diem, they will keep them as long as possible.
- dahfizz 6y ago
  > So long as private prisons have a say in when a prisoner is released there is conflict of interest. I agree. This would work best if the prison had no influence on the parole board's decision. That way, the only way to get people out of prison faster is to actually rehabilitate them and encourage good behavior.
mason55 6y ago
I don't see where the incentive to rehabilitate is? They're just incentivized to release them ASAP so they spend as little as possible.
- dahfizz 6y ago
  Aren't parole boards and the justice system in general involved in the process of releasing people from prison? Its the State that ultimately decides when a prisoner is allowed out. > They're just incentivized to release them ASAP And the only way to do that is to show the parole board that a person is worth paroling, e.g. by rehabilitating them.
ThePowerOfFuet 6y ago
Your proposal emphasizes rapid release, not rehabilitation.
pinkfoot 6y ago
> releasing them as fast as possible Why do you want incentivise a private company to release someone who is so dangerous they have to be removed from society as fast as possible?

Traster 6y ago

Just skip the rehab step entirely and just release them - it's cheaper for the prison and the increased chance of re-offending means they'll get another lump sum next go around too!

dahfizz 6y ago
That's not up to the prison. The only way for a convict to leave prison early is to convince the State that they are worth paroling. Therefore, the prison would be incentivized to work with the prisoners to encourage good behavior and to show the parole board that a prisoner is worth paroling.

ogre_codes 6y ago

> This changes the incentive structure from keeping people locked up as long as possible to rehabilitating and releasing them as fast as possible. So long as private prisons have a say in when a prisoner is released there is conflict of interest. If a private prison gets paid $100k for a prisoner, they are going to ensure they are released at the very soonest opportunity instead of detaining them as long as possible. If they get paid per diem, they will keep them as long as possible.

dahfizz 6y ago
> So long as private prisons have a say in when a prisoner is released there is conflict of interest. I agree. This would work best if the prison had no influence on the parole board's decision. That way, the only way to get people out of prison faster is to actually rehabilitate them and encourage good behavior.

mason55 6y ago

I don't see where the incentive to rehabilitate is? They're just incentivized to release them ASAP so they spend as little as possible.

dahfizz 6y ago
Aren't parole boards and the justice system in general involved in the process of releasing people from prison? Its the State that ultimately decides when a prisoner is allowed out. > They're just incentivized to release them ASAP And the only way to do that is to show the parole board that a person is worth paroling, e.g. by rehabilitating them.

ThePowerOfFuet 6y ago

Your proposal emphasizes rapid release, not rehabilitation.

pinkfoot 6y ago

> releasing them as fast as possible Why do you want incentivise a private company to release someone who is so dangerous they have to be removed from society as fast as possible?