While it is possible to evaluate whether private prisons save money, significant differences in Florida's public and private prisons hinder comparisons.
Preliminary comparisons of the costs of public and private prisons by the Department of Corrections and the Correctional Privatization Commission reached opposite conclusions about whether private prisons provide cost savings. The Department and Commission did not agree on which prisons to compare or how to adjust for differences.
To facilitate better cost comparisons to determine whether private prisons save money, the Legislature should establish public and private prisons that are comparable in size, location, types of inmates and programs provided.

Progress Report: Bay and Moore Haven Private Prison Contracts Renewed; Bay Costs Increase
Report 99-46 April 2000
South Bay Correctional Facility Provides Savings and Success; Room for Improvement
Report 99-39 March 2000
Lake City Correctional Facility Experienced Start-Up Problems, But It Has Improved
Report 99-33 February 2000
Assessing Privatization in State Agency Programs
Report 98-64 February 1999

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.