Why We Need Transparency

One of my biggest beefs with the private prison industry is the lack of adequate oversight and transparency in their work. Private prison companies are not bound by Freedom of Information Act or Public Records Laws to provide information to the public upon request, as are all government agencies (except in two states; TN and FL). While they argue that they shouldn't have to provide such info because they're a private company, I wholeheartedly believe that any agency performing an essentially governmental function should have its records available for public review. Why do I believe so firmly in this? Well, for one reason: they cover up deaths that result from a lack of medical care. Lots of them. In fact, some deaths of immigration detainees in private facilities weren't even reported to ICE, who has the power to review such information.