Publications

Privatisation of Prisons

The UK has the most privatised prison system in Europe, with private prisons holding 11.3 per cent of the prisoner population of England and Wales (Prison Reform Trust, 2010).5 There are 11 private prisons in England and Wales and two in Scotland, these being Kilmarnock and Addiewell.

Nine of these are financed, designed, built and operated by the private sector on 25-year contracts. Primary contractors include Serco, G4S and Kalyx.