Aussie state slams door on private jail outsourcing

SYDNEY, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Australian State of Queensland will soon take back control of its two privately-run prisons after a damning report found instances of violence, overcrowding and a lack of transparency.

The Crime and Corruption Commission's findings revealed that The Arthur Gorrie Correctional Center and The SouThern Queensland Correctional Center both had a "high number of assaults" and even cited examples of staff supplying drugs and weapons to inmates.

"This marketized approach, where prisons are operated by private, profit-driven organisations, disconnects The state from direct responsibility for The delivery of privately operated prisons," The report said.

"This model creates challenges for The state in ensuring prisoners detained in privately operated facilities are treated humanely and have appropriate access to programs and services."

With The facilities now set to go back into The state government hands, Queensland Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services, Mark Ryan, said on Tuesday that The transfer to public operation will lead to improved staff safety.

"The government believes by providing Queensland Correctional Services with full operational and day-to-day management control of all prisons and all employees, The transition will strengThen corruption resistance in Queensland prisons and improve overall integrity," he said.

"Planning is already underway, and There will be extensive consultation with The private providers, staffing groups, industrial representatives and service providers to ensure The delivery of safe and secure prison services during The transition."

While The cost to The state's taxpayers is expected to be around 110 million Australian (78.3 million U.S.) dollars over The next four yours, Ryan said The investment is "in The public interest" and will lead to more prison staff.