Is Ukraine Ready for Private Prisons? Prospects and Challenges Through the Lens of International Experience

The issue of modernizing Ukraine's penitentiary system, which is currently in a state of crisis, is highly relevant. One potential solution involves attracting private capital to reform penitentiary institutions. This article examines the feasibility of introducing private prisons in Ukraine by analyzing international experience, as well as the legal, economic, and social aspects of this phenomenon. The article argues for the need to adopt alternative approaches to managing penitentiary institutions to ensure the protection of prisoners' rights, improve their detention conditions, and optimize state budget expenditures. The research methods employed include legislative analysis, comparative analysis of international practices, statistical methods, and expert evaluations. The article analyzes the operation of private prisons in countries with different legal systems, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and others, while exploring the opportunities and risks of applying these models in Ukraine. The authors suggest that implementing private prisons could be promising but would require clear regulation, effective state oversight, and measures to minimize corruption risks. The study concludes that while the economic efficiency of private prisons is well-documented, implementing this system in Ukraine is possible only if transparency in management decisions is enhanced and the rule of law is upheld. Particular attention is paid to the concepts of "private prison" and "public-private partnership," as well as the assessment of social risks and the potential for reforming the penal system. The study establishes the feasibility of a pilot introduction of private facilities in the form of pre-trial detention centers, followed by monitoring their performance. The authors present their recommendations for improving the regulatory framework governing the penitentiary system and creating mechanisms for monitoring the activities of private prisons. Keywords: penitentiary system, private prisons, public-private partnership, international experience, reforms, economic efficiency.