Lets smoke a cigar and take a gander at a few thangs

A private prison, or for-profit prison, is a place where people are imprisoned by a third party that is contracted by a government agency. Private prison companies typically enter into contractual agreements with governments that commit prisoners and then pay a per diem or monthly rate, either for each prisoner in the facility, or for each place available, whether occupied or not. Such contracts may be for the operation only of a facility, or for design, construction and operation.
Controversy.
Private prisons are controversial. The main arguments for private prisons are that it can save money, that contracts can attach profit motives to reducing recidivism/better conditions, and that it can allow for a poorly performing operator to be removed and replaced. The main arguments against contracting prisons is that the rights of inmates can be compromised, and that it can attach a profit motive to increasing incarceration. It is also argued that private management of prisons is unethical, even if conditions are no worse or better than in the public sector, because punishment belongs to the State alone.
Global spread.