A year in college (tuition + room and board) is still cheaper than a year in prison (tuition + room and board).

Both have price pressures that are similar in some respects, including both state-funded and for-profit versions.

Both systems have mediocre performance at their primary missions (rehabilitation, education). There are significant start-up costs in both systems that make starting a new facility difficult.

Decisions are made by leadership in both systems to optimize for things other than customer benefit.