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. All private prisons have a 'Controller' linking them to the National Offender Management Service, and the governors of private prisons are called 'Directors'. 

At present there are 11 private prisons contractually managed by private companies such as Kalyx, Serco and G4S Justice Services.

HMP Altcourse  - G4S Justice Services

HMP Ashfield  - Serco

HMP Birmingham  - G4S Justice Services

HMP Bronzefield  - Kalyx (previously known as UKDS)

HMP and YOI Doncaster  - Serco

HMP Dovegate - Serco

HMP/YOI Forest Bank  - Kalyx (previously known as UKDS)

HMP Lowdham Grange - Serco

HMP/YOI Parc - G4S Justice Services

HMP Peterborough - Kalyx (previously known as UKDS)

HMP Rye Hill  - G4S Justice Services

HMP Wolds - G4S Justice Services