'These people are profitable': Under Trump, private prisons are cashing in on ICE detainees

[Gabe Lackmann]

If private contractors can house convicted criminals at less cost to the taxpayer than public employees can, how is that "scummy".

I'd call that COMPETITION, IMHO.

Maybe if the unions were to renegotiate their contract with the state?

You are being intentionally obtuse. Anyone with a modicum of critical thought can see how contractual conditions such as 80-100% occupancy would drive metrics.
However, I don't just blame corporations like Wakenhut, I MOSTLY lay blame on the scumbag politicians (our 'leaders') who agree to it.