Even though Texas has
cancelled some prisons
and
closed at least one private prison,
private prison companies continue to push to privatize Texas prison services.
Mike Ward wrote 30 April in the Austin American-Statesman,
Lawmakers chafe as push continues to privatize prison health care
“There is a push on to change the system we have, a system that is
cost-effective and is a national model, even before we know whether there
will be any real savings,” said House Corrections Committee Chairman
Jerry Madden, R-Richardson .“I think it’s something we should look at, to see what the real facts
are, but I don’t think we should be rushing to a decision right now
about this,” Madden said. “Most of the Legislature, I believe, think(s)
that a decision this big — whether the system should be privatized
— is one that we should make, not some board or agency.”
The American-Statesman first reported the privatization efforts in March
and that top aides to Gov. Rick Perry have been involved in some of the
meetings with vendors and lobbyists.
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