Private probation appeals to administrators because the jurisdiction pays nothing. The revenues come from fees the probationer pays for payment processing, supervision, drug testing, electronic...

Private probation appeals to administrators because the jurisdiction pays nothing. The revenues come from fees the probationer pays for payment processing, supervision, drug testing, electronic monitoring devices, classes, and other services. Each of these elements adds to the probationer’s cost and to the company’s profits. To enable privatization, legislatures or city councils may have to change laws and regulations to allow the private companies to take over the work of the government agencies and, perhaps most importantly, to make nonpayment of fees to a private company punishable by arrest and incarceration. Unfortunately, once contracts are in place, the courts and probation departments typically fail to provide the necessary oversight of company practices.