We recognize there are groups who oppose privatization, many of whom do so for their own self-serving reasons or who simply do not have all of the facts about our complex industry. Many of these opposition groups believe their very existence is threatened by the success of private correctional facilities; therefore, they campaign tirelessly against private prisons, regardless of whether those prisons are effectively run or not.  Yet, despite more than 25 years of active opposition by these groups, public-private partnerships have grown dramatically because they have proven to be cost-effective and top-quality solutions for corrections systems at the local, state and federal levels across the country. 

The fact is that corrections, despite being one of the most highly regulated industries, (including publicly and privately managed corrections systems) has been and may always face public controversy.  Such an environment, however, only motivates CCA to perform to the best of its ability and to continue to prove its worth in meeting public agencies' correctional needs.

CCA is open to scrutiny from government, media, competitors, industry colleagues and the public.  We welcome that oversight and understand it is part of our business.  We continuously learn from feedback and experiences and implement necessary practices to improve our operations and ensure the safety of the public, inmates and our employees. 

Operating safe facilities is our top priority.

Information About Anti-Privatization Groups and their Attacks

Opposition Groups' Tactics:  

• Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), and all private corrections management companies, recognize the ongoing efforts of both local, loosely-formed grassroots groups and national, well-funded associations that jointly oppose privatization, many for self-serving reasons.
• Such groups go to great lengths to attack, criticize and misrepresent the entire industry; they make false allegations and often rely on hearsay and unreliable sources. Regrettably, these biased groups often resort to misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric to turn isolated incidents into broad generalizations about the private corrections industry as a whole.
• Such a sweeping assault undermines the credibility they assert, as experienced corrections professionals know better than to point fingers at isolated incidents in other corrections systems – private or public – as an indictment against the entire industry. 
• They strategically isolate data and draw obtuse, and generally erroneous, conclusions. Private corrections opponents consistently repeat the baseless falsehood that privatization leads to low quality inmate care, poor employee training and selectively maintained safety records.

Disservice to Corrections:

• Opposition efforts do a disservice to the national discussion of the merits of public-private partnership in corrections. A healthy dialogue on public-private partnership in corrections should focus on the facts – not half truths, Internet chatter and blatant lies. 
• When these groups criticize CCA, they are, by extension, criticizing governments that have carefully and methodically chosen to strategically manage a portion of their corrections system in this manner.

CCA as a Respected Partner:

• If the allegations and criticisms leveled by the unions and their front organizations were true, CCA's opponents would have a sound argument. If those claims were based on facts, one might reasonably expect CCA's customers to promptly terminate their contracts. The fact is those claims are not true.
• Corrections professionals and government officials who want to understand the role of private partners within the public corrections system reach a different conclusion when they study the facts, tour privately-operated facilities and talk with customers of private operators. 
• Dozens of state corrections systems and three federal agencies – including the most respected corrections system in the country, the Federal Bureau of Prisons  – utilize and, in many cases, expand partnerships with CCA. Since 1983, CCA has grown from contracting 600 beds to housing more than 75,000 inmates on any given day. That kind of success would not have occurred if CCA wasn't positively impacting and improving partnering systems.
• Based on the size and scope of CCA's partnerships with some of the most respected and credible corrections agencies in the nation, as well as CCA's long-term success of contract renewals with and increased utilization by these same partners, how can one take the allegations of the anti-privatization groups seriously?

 Growth in Public-Private Partnerships:

• Public-private partnership has been a recognized and accepted component of the nation's corrections system for more than 25 years, with federal, state and local agencies achieving successes by engaging the private sector.
• Despite more than a quarter-century of active opposition by these groups, public-private partnerships have grown dramatically because they have proven to be cost-effective and top-quality solutions for corrections systems at the local, state and federal levels. 
• The private corrections industry – and CCA in particular as its founder and leader – has established itself as a viable and dependable partner to government. Private industry professionals – many of whom have retired from the federal, state or local corrections systems – stake their reputations and livelihoods on the professionalism and quality of this industry.
• Independent cost comparisons – such as reports by the Reason Foundation and the Independent Institute, along with multiple state think tank reports and audits – demonstrate significant cost savings by the private sector, which government can direct to other public needs like health care and education. Experts around the country have acknowledged that the quality and accountability offered by the private sector are significant.

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