WHEREAS:

Because of the crisis in state budgets, governments are considering reductions in adult and juvenile correctional staffing, closing adult and juvenile correctional facilities and allowing private corporations to run, build or provide services for these correctional facilities; and

WHEREAS:

Appropriate staffing of correctional facilities assures a safer and healthier environment for both correctional staff and inmates; and

WHEREAS:

The closure of correctional facilities for budget reasons causes overcrowding and unsafe conditions; and

WHEREAS:

State and local budget problems have also led to increased privatization activity. Profit-driven corporations, in pursuit of government funds, continue to pursue private contracts with federal and state governments to run their prison facilities. The use of private corporations to house, monitor and/or provide services for inmates has jeopardized the safety of those inside the facility as well as residents of neighboring communities; and

WHEREAS:

Prison privatization has also raised troubling constitutional and civil rights questions. Private corporations are now making quasi-judicial decisions that affect the well being of inmates and staff. Private corporations and their employees now use deadly force against citizens of the United States; and

WHEREAS:

Private prison corporations do not protect public safety or lower costs for the public. The Public Safety Act, which has been introduced in the Congress, would restore responsibility for public safety and security to federal, state and local governments. The Act would prohibit federal private prisons and would deny certain funds to states and localities that operate private correctional facilities; and

WHEREAS:

Private prison corporations were in serious financial trouble in recent years but were rescued by lucrative, long-term federal contracts, clearly illustrating the important role politics plays in privatizing federal, state and local correctional facilities; and

WHEREAS:

The 2004 presidential and congressional elections present AFSCME and its correctional affiliates with an opportunity to develop a proactive agenda to fight dangerous working conditions and for-profit private prisons. State and local elections also present an opportunity to develop a strategy for protecting AFSCME represented correctional employees against cuts and privatization.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That the AFSCME International and its correctional affiliates will work to develop an effective agenda for addressing the reduction in correctional staffing, privatization of inmate services, and the closure of correctional facilities to solve budget problems; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the issues of safety, liability and accountability be held paramount in the operation of correctional facilities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME is fundamentally opposed to prison privatization. Punishment of U. S. citizens by incarceration, which requires federal, state and local governments to exercise their police powers over individuals, should not be delegated to a private party; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will continue to support the Public Safety Act, which ensures that core correctional services related to the operation of a correctional facility and the incarceration of inmates, are not provided by private contractors.

SUBMITTED BY:

Chris Tripp, Delegate
Local 2989, Council 61
Iowa

Tina Turner-Morfitt, Delegate
Local 2376, Council 75
Oregon

David P. Moffa, Delegate
Local 387, Council 4
Connecticut

Michael D. Smith, Delegate
Local 270, Council 2
Washington

Patty Rich, Delegate
Local 1004
Utah

Ellis Williams
Local 1644
Georgia

Ronald C. Alexander, President and Delegate
Kathleen Stewart, Secretary/Treasurer and Delegate
OCSEA/AFSCME Local 11
Ohio