Private Companies Bribed Judges to Jail Kids
03:17 - Wednesday 08 June 2011 - In Categories Wha'Gwaan, US News
Two US judges found guilty of accepting almost £2 million in bribes to send children to prison are facing lengthy prison sentences.
Last month, Mark Ciavarella lost his appeal to overturn convictions for racketeering, conspiracy and fraud.
The decision clears the way for Ciavarella and his colleague Michael Conahan to be sentenced later this year.
The duo face at least 15 years each for collecting £1.7 million from the builder and owner of a private prison for children.
In related news, a report by the Prison Officers’ Association accuses the owners of private jails in the UK of hiding profits in offshore accounts to avoid paying tax, despite making millions every year.
According to the report: ‘Making a profit out of incarceration is morally repugnant. Companies have a vested interest in keeping the prison population high to maximise profits’.
Private contractors currently run 11 jails and four young offender units in England and Wales, and Justice Secretary Ken Clarke recently announced plans to add several more in Birmingham, Doncaster and Wolverhampton.
