Prison Tycoon: the Game

I came across a game that I had no idea existed called 'Prison Tycoon.' You are an owner of a private prison and you must build up your prison to run as effectively, efficiently and as profitable as possible.

A new player starts at a small low-level prison, and as the game progresses you build up staff and security until you reach maximum-security prison status. You develop programs for the inmates and keep a watchful eye over the guards.

I wonder if this is what a real prison tycoon does. I doubt CEO’s of GEO Group, Corrections Corporation of America or Cornell Corrections really care about how the inside, day-to-day business of the prison is run. As long as nothing too bad happens that gets released to the press, I would think the business men stay away from the corrections and let the warden figure out what to do with troubling guards.

Of course, virtual reality doesn’t always have to match reality. I guess the game sold well, though, because I see there is a new version called 'Prison Tycoon 2: Maximum Security' available as well.