What best describes a private prison?

A private prison is defined as a correctional facility that is operated by a non-governmental agency, which typically undertakes this operation as a for-profit venture. This means that the primary goal of the private prison is to generate revenue, often leading to a different management approach compared to state-run facilities. The operations, funding, and overall management practices can vary significantly; private prisons often contract with governmental entities to house inmates, and these contracts can include performance metrics that influence how the facility is run.

In contrast, the other choices focus on different types of correctional facilities without capturing the essence of what characterizes a private prison. For example, juvenile facilities are specifically designed for young offenders, and minimum-security facilities focus on lower-risk inmates, often first-time offenders without a history of violent crimes. Furthermore, state-owned facilities are typically geared towards rehabilitation and are funded and operated by the government, which contrasts with the profit-driven motive of private institutions. This distinction is crucial in understanding the nature and operational framework of private versus public correctional facilities.