Contracted Out Prisons

Privately managed prisons were introduced to the UK in the 1990s.

HM Chief Inspectorate of Prisons inspects private prisons in the same way as public sector prisons. See How Prisons are Regulated for more information. All private prisons have a 'Controller' linking them to the Home Office, and the governors of private prisons are called 'Directors'.

The Commissioner for Correctional Services has direct responsibility for these prisons. At present there are 10 private prisons contractually managed by private companies such as Group 4, Premier and Securicor.