1. In his first paragraph, Feeley tells you how he has broken up his argument (into three sections). After your
first reading of his article, look back to these three sections: one of them is where he gives you most (but not
all) of his major claims, and the other two are almost exclusively about providing grounding for those claims.
- Which of the three sections of his argument is mostly about making important claims? What are they?
2. According to Feeley, the current debate over whether or not we should privatize prisons more is between the
supporters (who point to cost-effectiveness) and the critics (who point to 'principles' that might be
compromised). What is Feeley's overall evaluation of this debate? What does he add to the discussion?
3. One 'broad topic' that Feeley addresses in his article is the idea of social control. Look to statements he
makes about this subject and try to figure out what he's assuming about social control that other authors
might disagree with.
4. In all of the examples (grounding) Feeley gives of privatization in prisons, he points out good effects, bad
effects, and unintended consequences. What is his purpose in pointing out both the positive and negative
effects of privatization?
5. On page 6 of his article, Feeley describes the modern government-run prison system as a "clumsy giant."
What does he mean by this? How does his example of the "clumsy giant" relate to one of his major claims?: