Private Prison

/ˈpraɪvət ˈprɪzən/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A detention facility operated by a private entity under contract with the government to house inmates.
    The state government contracted a company to manage a private prison to reduce costs.

Forms

  • private prison
  • private prisons

Commentary

The term distinguishes private operational control from public administration of incarceration; legal debates often focus on accountability and contractual obligations.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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