Arla R. Payne
Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice
Stockholders for Allegheny County Jail
Positive and Negative Points
October 20 2011

In order to manage the Allegheny County Jail the government must contract with private firms and by doing so will save a lot of money over government cost. It is noted that all most 10 -15 percent could be save or cut down by using a private firm compared to government cost. (The H. John Heinz lll School of Public Policy and Management pg.38) The jail administration must stop and look at the whole picture, if you are looking to improve the jails services, perfection and merit’s, the private sector is the right direction to go. Most private firms are looking at ways to cut out foolish purchases and unnecessary overtime. Benefit packages are workable and may not have the superbness of other companies but, you will be covered. Bids are so important in the decision making process and the strategy used to get the job must be well planned. You must recognize what a bid is and how you should begin to solicit for the best ones. A bid is simply an offer made to perform services needed for a certain agency or facility; management must be wise and aware of what they want, and who to use to accomplish it. Pennsylvania has hired or used the bid given by Prime Care Medical, Inc. There are many positives affects to the private management firms as well as negative ones, all aspects of the firms must be weighted and discussed and the right decision should be made at that time. What can we do for the firm and what can the firm do for us, will the firm save us money or will the firm cost us many deaths, as far as healthcare for the inmates. In order to make things work for both sides, all options must be explained which will include the positive side and the negative side of the private firms being used for the jail. For years internal and