우리나라에서의 민영교도소의 확대방안

Abstract

Private prison system was introduced in the middle of reflection on prison administration which was under management by the state until recently and in the midst of wind of privatization of public sector since 1980s across the world and attitude of acceptance of private prison system became a majority opinion. Many countries including England, Japan and Brazil are operating private prisons and elicited evaluation of success and by virtue of such positive evaluation opening new private prisons is expanding. In our country also eventually introduction of private prison system was legislated. The first private prison Agape Somang Prison is about to open shortly. Background of introducing private prison to our country was motivated by need for solving worsening shortage of prison facilities and changed paradigm on prison administration. Under such circumstances the erstwhile focus in the debate on pro and con of introducing private prison system should be shifted toward the direction of method for successful operation of private prison system and issue of expanding the system. Although 10 years passed since introduction of private prison system reality it is still marking time without no more progress thus new driving force is required. Successful operation of Agape Prison shall become a crucial linchpin which would spell success or failure of our private prison system hereafter. Accordingly program at the stage of diverse acceptance stage of Agape Prison and post acceptance stage and supplementation through trial operation are evaluated very highly. At such juncture there is need for working on opening of for-profit prison which is another form of private prison in order to overcome limitation of religious prison. Through comparison by establishment of and competition between religious prison and private prison we may seek direction for private prison which is appropriate to our country. The biggest obstacle in introducing for-profit prison is financial problem viz. securing land for the prison and construction of new buildings which cost billions. Seemingly it will be possible to establish for profit prison in our country only when this problem is overcome. Under current law which compels religious donation or unrealistic donation solution of such problems will be impossible thus through earliest revision of the law it is necessary to prepare grounds for expanding private prison system further.