Arizona Corrections: "A Growth Industry".

This is from the minutes for the Arizona Behavioral Health Planning Council (September 16, 2009). Why is the guy from AZ DOC referring to corrections as a "growth industry", and to mentally ill prisoners as if they were merchandise or a potential consumer base to exploit? Hmm...

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VII.
State Agency Updates

A. ADC: Bruce McMorran reported that Corrections continues to be a growth
industry. There is an average of 150 additional inmates incarcerated per month;
approximately 9% of these new inmates have a mental illness. Approximately
21% of all inmates have an identified behavioral health need.

Bruce also reported that due to the privatization of inmates’ health services at
ADC, between 550-700 staff will be impacted. This was part of HB 2010 which
was recently passed.