STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX
– House Democratic
Leader Eric Meyer, D-Paradise Valley (District 28), released this statement
after Gov. Doug Ducey announced plans to terminate the contract with Management
Training Corporation for the operation of the Kingman for-profit, private prison
that was badly damaged in a recent riot. This riot also left several people
injured.
“Arizona
needs an immediate and independent investigation of all for-profit, private
prisons in the state. The governor’s decision to terminate one contract with an
operator does not go far enough to assuage the public safety concerns associated
with these facilities.
“Additionally, the Legislature should
reinstate the statutory oversight of private prisons that Republicans repealed
several years ago. Arizonans should know whether private prisons are an
appropriate use of taxpayer money. Until this happens, the state should suspend
all efforts to seek bids to build new private prisons. It is time for more
accountability and more transparency in this industry, which appears deeply
troubled.”
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