Warning System for Private Detention Capacity Project

The goal of this project is to research, develop, and prototype a data - driven system that tracks and analyzes government contracting and procurement activity related to private detention services across the United States. Rather than focusing primarily on detention capacity, the project centers on following the flow of public funds – identifying which firms receive contracts, what services are being procured, when and where contracts are awarded, and how bidding activity signals future expansion. Private detention companies play a major role in immigration and criminal justice infrastructure, yet contracting processes, award timelines, and vendor relationships are often difficult for communities, journalists, and advocacy groups to monitor in real time. This project aims to increase transparency by building tools that surface early signals in procurement activity before physical expansion or policy implementation becomes visible. Students will analyze public data sources such as: • Government contracting and procurement databases • Corporate earnings and investor disclosures • Job postings and hiring trends By integrating these indicators, students will develop a prototype early-warning system that identifies emerging contracting activity, vendor positioning, and geographic areas of increased procurement attention.