Nongovernmental Entities in International Community Corrections: Where the State, Civil Society, and Private Sector Meet

• In Event: Comparative and Cross-National Comparisons in Policing and Corrections

Abstract

The Routledge Handbook on Global Community Corrections (edited by Ioan Durnescu, James M. Byrne, Benjamin J. Mackey, and Faye S. Taxman (forthcoming June 2024)) offers a rare look into the operations of 23 community corrections systems around the world. Chapters from an international group of contributors highlight the multifaceted composition of community corrections systems, which often rely on nongovernmental entities to function. This analysis classifies these entities by type, relationship with the state, and services provided. Three types of entities are most prominent: (1) community members or volunteers; (2) associations and nonprofit organizations; and (3) private for-profit corporations. Some are almost entirely state-run while others operate with significant autonomy. They offer a blend of support (e.g., treatment, mentorship/friendship) and surveillance services (e.g., electronic monitoring, volunteer supervision), with some specializing in one or the other. Creating a typology of these entities reveals two key findings: more robust organizational structures are associated with greater autonomy from the state, and entities with the most sophisticated structures (private corporations) are unique in their provision of strictly surveillance-oriented services. Both findings impact the legitimacy of the community corrections system, as the role of the state shrinks proportionately with the growth of nongovernmental entity responsibility.

Author

• Benjamin J. Mackey, George Mason University