- What data did you collect?
Yijia Jing’s work, “Prison Privatization: A Perspective on Core Governmental Functions,” identifies two primary modes of classification when categorizing the wide range of factors that have contributed to the rise of private prisons: instrumental and political. Under an instrumental lens, the need for greater levels of efficiency, capital, and management drive increased privatization (Jing 264). From the political perspective, the ideological preferences and commitments of political leaders are the two leadings forces that have led to the rise of private prisons (Jing 264). Jing provides both a historical and an economic perspective on the rise of private prisons, and under the political lens, thoroughly explains how neoliberalism intersects with the political justifications in favor of private prisons.
- What is your initial impression of the data?
My research this week has advanced my project forward: the data has provided me with the opportunity to better understand the history of private prisons, and to define exactly what the “privatization of prisons” entails.
- How have the data you have collected this week changed/progressed your thinking about your research project?
I could not find any comprehensive, captivating information regarding the role of politics in the rise of privatization in my research efforts last week. As a result, I intended to drop that portion of my research. However, Jing’s work provided useful information, and thus the role of politics is an element that I am considering reincorporating into my project.
- What challenges did you encounter while collecting the data?
As with any research project, I find synthesizing a large wealth of information difficult.
- What are your next steps?
I am going to look closely at the works Jing cites in hopes of finding more compelling information on the influence of politics on the rise of privatization. I have to begin to look more closely at the first portion of my project, which focuses on discrepancies between legal representation.
- 2-3 annotations.
Jing, Yijia. “Prison Privatization: A Perspective on Core Governmental Functions.” Crime, Law and Social Change, no. 54 (November 2010): 263-278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-010-9254-5.
Shichor, David. Punishment for Profit: Private Prisons, Private Concerns. California: Sage Publications, 1995.
Comments:
Anarelis, you continue to make progress on your work. I don’t have any comments other than I like that you keep on redefining a project based on the materials that you have in front of you. It makes sense to reintroduce the idea politics and how this influences horizon privatization prisons.