An evaluation of the outcomes of the private prison system in Korea

Abstract

The United States government began the operation of privately funded correctional facilities in the 1980s in response to prison overcrowding, signaling the emergence of private prisons. Currently, only one out of Korea’s 54 correctional facilities is privately operated: Somang Correctional Institution is operated by Agape, a non-profit foundation. This study was conducted to diagnose Korea’s current status in achieving the objectives of the introduction of private prisons (e.g., budgetary savings, alleviation of prison overcrowding, innovative facility operation and inmate treatment, and reduction of recidivism) in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the opening of Korea’s first private prison. The results indicate that inmate satisfaction at Somang Prison is higher than that for state prisons. However, the operation of a single private prison is deemed inadequate to resolve prison overcrowding. Although no significant statistical differences were found between state and private prisons in terms of the reduction of recidivism, in-depth interviews revealed that inmates and prison staff at Somang Prison are more positive about the institution’s effectiveness in reducing recidivism possibility of reoffending after release. Based on the findings, we offered a set of policy proposals to share innovative inmate correctional programs through exchanges between private and state prisons and highlight the need for additional private prisons.