That being said, I am sure they would regain enough money to seriously help that person, which is more likely what they need than to be locked in a cage to get some kind if societal retribution.
Neither would Harvard, so at least the comparison still stands.
So depending on what the contract is for a private prison, it could actually be a case of it costs x for a prisoner.
given the structure of the costs https://lao.ca.gov/policyareas/cj/6_cj_inmatecost there is not much amortization going on, at least not at the scale "over many thousands", more like "over tens and hundreds".
It's a great business because your primary customers are clueless politicians trying to look tough on crime paying whatever they are being told to pay.
Prisoners are also laborers, slave laborers that is because they don't actually earn a lot. Somebody profits from that as well. The reason so many people are in prisons in the US is that it is good business for a lot of people.
So, to spell this out, US prisons are funneling tax money straight to institutional investors. Cost has nothing to do with it. Meanwhile they are cutting corners left right and center on cost and exploiting the prison population via lucrative corporate contracts.
That depends on the person. How do you help a person who is primarily motivated due to narcissism?