Nigel Morris
"The concept of privately run prisons originated in the United States and Australia, but has been adopted in this country with an almost evangelic enthusiasm by Tory and Labour home secretaries.
All three secure training centres for young offenders in the UK - including Hassockfield, where Adam Rickwood hanged himself - are privately run and a fourth due to open next year will be operated by Securicor.
Ten prisons in England and Wales, and an 11th that will open in 2005 in Peterborough, are also in the private sector. Among them are two that also hold young offenders, Ashfield in Bristol and Parc in South Wales, which was criticised yesterday for its poor healthcare facilities for juveniles."
