There has been a trend in recent years of local, county and even state governments contracting with private companies to run correctional facilities.
We are sure in some places that's worked out well. We wish we could say the same right here at home.
Late last month, Bowie County commissioners approved advertising for bids from private contractors to manage the Bowie County Correctional Center and the jail at the Bi-State Justice Building.
Currently both facilities are run by LaSalle Corrections.
Run poorly, in our view.
We won't go into all the problems with these jails and how they are managed. We don't have enough space.
But we will say that there is an inherent conflict between properly running a correctional facility and ensuring corporate profits. Especially when it seems the bottom line is the upmost concern.
There's an old saying that the definition of insanity is to keep on doing the same thing and expect different results.
Well, seeking another private company to run Bowie County's jails immediately comes to mind.
At one time all jails were managed by the city, county or state. That worked for years and years.
Instead of looking for another commercial solution, maybe it's time the county considers getting back in the business of running its own lockups.