TheCCA360.com is a Web site intended to provide factual information about Corrections Corporation of America – from its quality private prison management services and programs, to its more than 17,000 employees that support the 66 facilities it operates.
Read first hand here stories and views shared by CCA employees and other citizens on the company and its impact in our communities.
It’s difficult to separate the facts from the reported myths about private prisons and CCA, especially if you follow some news accounts that rely on sources who are politically or professionally biased against the overall privatization of our nation’s prisons.
TheCCA360.com disputes the most common reported myths here.
360 TAKES
Question: Who is Alex Friedmann?
Posted Aug 11, 2008
Answer: A Not So Reliable Media Source.
Alex Friedmann has become a frequently-published source for local Nashville area media, which have largely represented him as a credible, professional authority regarding prison privatization and CCA. Local Nashville media have published opinion editorials by Mr. Friedmann and attributed many quotes to him in much of its CCA-related coverage.
Mr. Friedmann has a clear and stated bias against CCA.
Mr. Friedmann is a convicted felon who served time in a CCA prison in Tennessee. He pled guilty and served a sentence for the following felonies: assault with intent to commit first-degree murder; armed robbery; and criminal attempt to commit aggravated robbery. In fact, Mr. Friedmann attempted to rob a dealer in rare coins in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville, and he attempted to shoot the store owner. While fleeing the store, he shot at a father and son who happened to be nearby.
In a separate event, Mr. Friedmann was stopped by an employee of a Kroger in Nashville while attempting to shoplift. Mr. Friedmann pulled a gun and threatened to shoot him, then fled the store. After a chase by police, Mr. Friedmann was apprehended and other, stolen merchandise was found in his vehicle.
Today, Mr. Friedmann serves as the vice president of the Private Corrections Institute (PCI). PCI is a Florida-based, union-funded anti-privatization organization whose founder is the full-time paid lobbyist for Florida's public law enforcement and corrections officers union. Public corrections officers oppose the use of private prison companies. Additionally, Mr. Friedmann serves as associate editor of Prison Legal News, an inmate advocacy publication of highly limited circulation that publishes anti-privatization articles.
Interestingly, despite the veracity and authority with which Friedmann's opinions and statements have been treated by some media outlets, it must be noted that he is not a trained expert in criminal justice, corrections, government or privatization. While he is cited as an expert in these matters, he may most accurately be described as an activist, whose qualification to comment arises solely from the fact that he was a convicted criminal. Friedmann lacks academic training, has not conducted credible, disciplinary research, and has never worked in corrections. Conversely, CCA is a nationally respected organization, guided by the high standards of the American Correctional Association and supported by local, state and federal officials – the company's customers – as well as experts like Mike Grotefend, the former president of a union for federal corrections officers who, upon visiting a CCA facility, now supports the company's vision, mission and service.
CCA questions the journalistic integrity of newspapers that apparently regard individuals such as Alex Friedmann as credible sources, whether regarding CCA specifically or, more broadly, the private prison industry in general CCA questions the journalistic integrity of newspapers that apparently regard individuals such as Alex Friedmann as credible sources, whether regarding CCA specifically or, more broadly, the private prison industry in general.
More insight at: http://tnforpuryear.blogspot.com/2008/03/who-is-alex-friedmann.html
Comments
I REMEMBER ALEX WHEN HE WAS AT SCCF. HE WILL TWIST THE TRUTH AND HALF FACTS AND WRONG FACTS TO SATISFY HIS OWN NEEDS. AS MY LATE MOTHER USED TO SAY" YOU CAN'T MAKE A SILK PURSE OUT OF A SOWS EAR". ALEX FRIEDMAN WILL ALWAYS BE A SOWS EAR.
- Posted by "FRED ALEXANDER SCCF" (August 26, 2008 03:30AM)
I DOUBT THE TENNESSEAN WILL EVER DO A REAL EXPOSE ON THIS GUY. EVEN THOUGH THEIR READERS DESERVE TO KNOW WHAT HIS AGENDA REALLY IS.
- Posted by "JIM THOMPSON, NASHVILLE TENNESSEE" (August 15, 2008 10:27AM)