Hard to believe it costs so much if they're getting that much free labor. I would think they'd at least break even.
[1] http://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2013/09/private-pri...
[2] http://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2015/06/private-pri...
California for instance (referenced multiple times here) has had many governors since the Reagan days and could have ended the practice on a state level, and at a federal level the pendulum has swung to both sides on multiple occasions. Any of these administrations could have made it a priority, but did not.
That statement is nonsensical. Who else is to blame for originating these policies?
otherwise.. why not blame the romans?