AFSCME Privatization Update

Source: By Melanie Bengtson, First Amendment Center Online, 07.21.08

A bill before Congress would extend the Freedom of Information Act to require private prisons contracted by the federal government to release records under the same standards as federal prisons. The Private Prison Information Act of 2007 (H.R. 1889), introduced by Rep. Tim Holden, D-Pa., would require private prisons and other correctional facilities under contract with federal agencies to house federal prisoners to make their records accessible under the same FOIA requirements that govern federal prisons.

....... Two lawsuits filed in the last two months aim to force private prisons to release records, including one filed by the American Civil Liberties Union investigating the deaths of immigrant detainees in federal custody.

Posted by Info Center at 11:00 AM in Corrections | Federal | Law Enforcement | Permalink

Source: By Karen Kane, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA), Sunday, October 21, 2007

Butler County's sheriff's deputies are now officially in a union, earning more money per hour than they used to earn.

But, language that was included in an arbitrator's agreement and was approved last week by county commissioners gives the county the right to privatize some of the deputies' functions.

....... The focus is on the front doors of the courthouse, where visitors are required to pass through a metal detector. If it sounds, a sheriff's deputy uses a metal detector wand for a closer scanning of the individual.

Posted by Info Center at 1:27 PM in Law Enforcement | Permalink