In Australia the government has caught a hideous disease called privatisation. It suffers this ailment to such an extent it has even infected the prison system, so now our gaols are run by private businesses. If I own shares in what is now the incarceration industry surely I have the right to expect the same as every other investor out there, an increase in shareholder value.
If the incarceration provider is not building a new wing here and a new gaol there, the share holders are going to get rowdy. So what to do? In Australia we just stuff them full of Aboriginals which aids the goverments ongoing genocide program and the poor, because, at the end of the day, who gives a stuff about either of them. Certainly not anyone able or indeed responsible for doing so, that's for sure. Those who do care about what's happening are too powerless or fearful to make any difference.
We look pretty good on that graph, but I'd like to see one from 5 years ago and another in 5 years time. Her Majestys Prison Incorperated is booming out of control and these beds simply must be filled to keep those grubby enough to invest in this filthy industry at bay.
Am I my brothers keeper? Mate, if there's one ounce of loot involve then the answer is "bloody oath I am."