Abstract
The debate surrounding private prisons in Australia has highlighted a number of misconceptions about privatisation, including its possible effects on the public prison system. This Trends and Issues, written by an Honorary Senior Consultant to the Australian Institute of Criminology (Professor Richard Harding is a former Director of the Institute), clarifies this important public policy issue, and provides the basis for informed discussion. Experience so far suggests that contract management of prisons by private operators has a useful place in the Australian corrections system.