Data were compiled from questionnaires completed by 56 privately operated correctional facilities, representing a total of 25,216 prisoners. "Private Correctional Facilities" is a term representing several configurations of correctional facility ownership and management. In some cases, a public agency (e.g., a Department of Corrections or a county) may fund the construction of a facility and contract with a private vendor to operate the facility, while the public agency retains ownership. In other cases, a private vendor may build and operate a facility, contracting with a public agency or several agencies to house inmates for a daily fee. Federal, State, and local inmates (sentenced and unsentenced) may be housed in these facilities. Generally speaking, private correctional facilities are held to the same correctional standards as are public facilities. The document describes the facilities, populations housed in these facilities, contracts, programs, and staff. Tables, figures, glossary, index