Private Prisons Likely to be Introduced

A bill for the private operation of prisons has been drafted.
The government resolved Friday the revised bill of execution at the Cabinet meeting.
The bill provides that the minister of justice may consign the administration of prisons to private firms, while the conditions for the operation of prisons remain set down in law.
As a consequence, the government plans to present a bill for the establishment and operation of civil prisons to the ordinary session of the National Congress this year.
A source in the ministry said, 'The introduction of civil prisons will reduce the expense for the government and expand facilities for prisoners. Private prisons will be operated from 2003, while some part of correctional facilities can be consigned to the civil sector as soon as the revised bill is passed.'
Kang Joo-an : jooan@joongang.co.kr