Opponents of privatizing corrections would like to derail the measure by requiring more study. It's not necessary. There are 120 private prisons operating or being built around the nation already. Oregon has had some experience by leasing space in some of those prisons because of overcrowding here. Numerous studies have compared private-prison costs and quality of operations with public prisons since the privatization trend started gaining momentum in the 1980s.
Private prisons are cheaper and quicker to build, cost less to operate.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Eileen Qutub, R-Beaverton, wouldn't force the state to run out and contract for a private prison. It would create a Correctional Privatization Commission, to be appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate. Cost-effective is defined in the bill as no more than 7 percent above that of a private company. That's reasonable from a taxpayer perspective. These requirements are designed to address concerns about public safety and the humane treatment of prisoners.