Durkheim, Punishment, and Prison Privatization

What is it about?

Private companies have increasingly taken over responsibilities for punishing criminals in the United States. How does this privatization of punishment affect social solidarity? We use insights from classical sociologist Emile Durkheim to generate several ways in which privatization of punishment may enhance or degrade feelings of social solidarity.

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Why is it important?

This is the first work that brings the theory of classical sociologist Emile Durkheim into conversation with recent developments in modern privatized punishment.