Dec 8, 2008
Richard from San Diego, CA. writes:

I joined CCA in 2005 after retiring from the Army in Dallas Texas. I began as a Vocational Instructor and since then completed an MBA and now a Business Manager in San Diego. I can not see myself anywere else but CCA. Opportunities for growth are available and anyone willing to work hard to achieve those opportunities can do so. This new career has made my transition easy and rewarding and I hope to be helpful to other service members looking for a new career.

Dec 8, 2008
Brent Prescott from Central Arizona Detention Center writes:

I work in the transportation section of CADC. My boss, Dwayne Sigmon is the nicest man I've ever worked for. He always helps me with any porblem I have and I knows he cares for me very much. I also have a warden name Mr. Carmona. He always help us to be as best as we can be correction professionals. We try dilligently to help all inmates and to provide a meaningfull public service to our community. I am proud of the CCA and the CCA way! Brent Prescott

Nov 23, 2008
Billy from Mineral Wells, TX writes:

Could you put up a message board for each individual cca-run facility? You might get more activity, rather than employees going to Department of Criminal Justice websites and looking for someone to talk to about their experiences and get a feel for the prison experience.

Nov 10, 2008
Daniel Jones from Diamondback Correctional Facility writes:

In 1991 i went to collage to study all aspects of security including corrections and i did not want any part of it, corrections was not for me. 2001 i found myself in Watonga Oklahoma and the only good security job around was Diamondback Correctional Facility, so i decided to try it for a couple of years then move back home. During those 2 years i had a Captain say to me once "if you ever want to be captain you need to listen" and i told him "i will never be interested in that and i will not be staying for much longer". At the end of those 2 years i made Sergent and began to think how much i have learned how much more there is to learn. About 2 1/2 years later i made Lieutenant. Now with 2008 coming to a close and i look forward to advance further. For someone who had no intrest in corrections i cant think of anything better then working for this company.

Sep 23, 2008
LeAnn Stone from Prairie Correctional Facility, MN writes:

I started working for PCF in June of 1993 as a Correctional Officer. CCA purchased our facility in October of 1996. Through that partnership with CCA, the benefits have gotten much, much better, they are pretty awesome. The opportunity for advancement is yours for the taking. I am now a Unit Manager and the "TEAM" at PCF is EVERYONE that works here. I am proud to be part of this TEAM, with one true goal in mind, to be the best adult corrections facility in the nation, Excellence in Corrections!!

Sep 18, 2008
Justin Chauncey from Coffee Correctional Facility writes:

I joined CCA at Coffee Correctional Facility in December of 2003 as a correctional officer. I really learned the true value of teamwork working in the field of corrections. Here at Coffee Correctional Facility, we strongly believe in "One Team One Mission". You are never alone, you will always have somebody there with you to back you up and support you each and every step of the way. We get the job done and leave the way we came in. I have worked on First, Second, and Third Shift, and working together and supporting each other are just a few things they all have in common. We are a family and that is the way it should be. When you work together as a team, you have to trust each other and look out for each other. If you don't trust each other, you don't have a team. When you trust one another and work together, you begin to respect one another as a team. You keep working together and respect one another and in time, you will be loyal to the team. Let them know you will always be there and willing to work together as a team. Then you will have the integrity to keep the team together. Always work together and get through each day together, because, as you may already know, Trust, Respect, Loyalty, and Integrity are the four guiding principles to being a corrections professional and it takes professionals to make a team. In April of 2008, I was promoted to Senior Correctional Officer here at Coffee Correctional Facility. Lead the way and you will leave a legacy.

Sep 18, 2008
Stephanie Salois from Crossroads Correctional Center, Shelby MT writes:

I have been with CCA/CCC for almost 3 years now. In these three years we have employee's that have had some terrible accidents. One was on a Motorcycle and the other was in an ATV wreck. Our family here at CCC came together and helped raised money for the one in the Motorcylce accident we offered to help with the ATV but his family said that it was already taken care of. We did however do causual days for both of them. We also had a members daughter in a wreck and we sent her the fifty dollars and did a casual day for her and sent her the earnings from that as well. I know that if anything ever happened to me or any of my family members that I would be taken care of and so would my family. Just this week we have had 2 blessings a C/O and his wife gave birth to their first child and the company sent flowers, and the other a chiefs daughther gave birth and he was premiture. We plan on having a causal day for her and the baby and I know that they will appriciate it. I am so glade that I can help out with making someone else's life a little better and I'm proud of that. I'm proud of this facility as well for doing all that they do. Steph

Sep 16, 2008
Ronda Hughes from Marion Adjustment Center, St. Mary Kentucky writes:

I recently came on board with CCA in January 2008. Having recently completed my Degree and moving on to pursue a Masters degree I realized how important support is. I think that many times in corrections, we as individuals tend to become focused on our individual areas and responsibilities. My experience with CCA has been a wonderful learning experience for me so far. One of the most important things that i have learned is to always keep a good balanced perspective of not only our individual job areas, but also focus on the greater good, team spirit and support. We need to have a "big picture" mentality. Since starting with CCA i have had the priviledge of working with a great team of professionals. I have found that when the going was tough, there were people that cared and understood and came together and provided the needed assistance and understanding. I feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful company and group of people with whom i work and interract with. I look forward to a long career relationship with CCA.

Sep 14, 2008
KENNETRIA JONES from WINN CORRECTIONAL CENTER writes:

HELLO, MY NAME IS KENNETRIA JONES I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED @ THE WINN CORRECTIONAL CENTER FOR 7YRS.MY WORK LOCATION IS THE COUNTROOM. MY JOB DESCRIPTION IS TO KEEP THE COUNT OF ALL INMATES AT THE FACILITY AND ALL INMATES BEING TRANSPORTED FROM THE FACILITY TO: COURT,HOSPITALS,FUNERALS,ETC. MY SUPERVISOR IS JOSEPH CHATMAN. MY YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT HERE I HAVE BECOME A MUCH WISER PERSON,AND MORE EXPERIENCED I HAVE ALSO LEARNED TO BE ABLE TO BE A TEAMPLAYER. I ENJOY WORKING HERE. MY CO-WORKERS ARE WONDERFUL. OUR WARDEN, TIM WILKERSON IS A VERY UNDERSTANDING PERSON. HE WILL HELP YOU AS MUCH AS HE CAN. HE APPRECIATES WHEN WE AS EMPLOYEES HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB TO MAKE THE FACILITY WHAT IS. I WOULD LIKE FOR HIM TO KNOW I APPRECIATE HIM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REALLY FEEL AS IF YOU ARE APPRECIATED COME VISIT US AT THE WINN CORRECTIONAL CENTER.

Sep 11, 2008
Linda Sevison from Idaho Correctional Center writes:

I have been the Quality Assurance Administrative Clerk at the Idaho Correctional Center for over 5 years. Working here has been an eye-opening experience as I had no previous experience in the corrections field. The most important aspect of this facility is the fact that we are a family. As all families do, we fight, we argue, but we also pull together as a team in a crisis or when there are deadlines to be met. I quickly learned that in a prison setting, things are subject to change at a moment's notice and we must all be ready to adapt to that change. That's what keeps the job interesting. That's not to say that we always like the changes, but it does keep it interesting and change helps us to grow as individuals. While advancement within the facility for clerical staff is minimal, there are opportunities to work in other facilities nationwide, as well as the Facility Support Center. For security staff, there are many opportunities for advancement. I have learned that the corrections field is not for everyone, but for those who like this field, opportunity abounds. Would I recommend CCA to others as a potential employer? Most definitely. I am proud to be a part of this facility, this family, and this company.

Sep 10, 2008
James Briggs from Diamondback Correctional Facility writes:

It was September 2006. I was tired of working at a JOB and wanted a career with possibility of Promotion and advancement. I thought about what opportunities were available to me in my surrounding area and even though I would have to move a short distance I started considering applying here at Diamondback. After some research, I decided I would put in an application and see just what this company was all about. So after I completed an online application, I received a phone call about an interview. AFter I made the trip to Watonga, and talked to H.R. about career opportunities and he described to me his career with CCA and also mentioned Sort. I decided that this was something that I was will to give a try. I figured, "whats 6 months?" I started my career with CCA On September 25, 2006 as a correctional officer. Initially, the thing I liked most about it was that there were no two days alike. Everything was always changing and with such change requires a person to adapt and to stay focused. Something that every job I had ever had before lacked. Each day I learned somthing new. Soon I had reached my goal of working here for six months. I looked back over my time with CCA and thought about what I had learned and experienced while working for such a great company, not to mention all the great people I had met since walking through those gates for the first time. I thought that there is no way I will end my career with this company anytime soon. Once I had hit the one year plateau, I joined our facility Sort team which has given me the opportunity to meet and interact with employees from other facilities, not to mention gave me the chance to learn the importance of organization in regards to teams and situation management. In the first quarter of 2008, I was promoted to Senior Correctional Officer. A position I feel is vital to not only the safety and security of shift operations but also it can be very important to the development of newer employees. I take pride in helping new and seasoned employees advance in our great company. In July, I took over responsibilites of Armory Officer and Key control officer at our facility. A position that I have found to be both challenging and rewarding alike. I look forward to furthering my career in corrections through CCA and I know that with the right mindset, determination, and motivation the sky really is the limit.

Sep 10, 2008
Angela Neville from Northeast Ohio writes:

I am a Personnel Assistant with the HR Department in Northeast Ohio (Buckeye Country). I have been with CCA just shy of my fours years now. I can honestly say that from the time I joined this Company it changed my life. Not only did it help me get on my own two feet with the pay which I have to mention in this area a job that pays good money is hard to find. But, here at CCA I have met some wonderful people not to mention one I am proud to now call my Husband of 1 year this October. This job and Company has made me believe in myself and push myself to limits I never thought I could reach. There are not too many places that hire and pay at the rate CCA does to individuals with only their HighSchool Diploma or GED (for the majority of positions) and there is so much opportunity for advancement not just at your facility but throughout the company. I know the Youngstown area usually gets a bad reputation but I believe CCA has brought a positive employment opportunity to our Valley and I hope it stays here for years to come. I love reading about how our Company gives back to the community. I know our facility does Red Cross Blood Drives, gives to our local Food bank and Salavation Army Toys for Tots. I feel fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work here and I know other staff members feel the same. I was able to see this facility at the time it was reopening and doing its start with the BOP Contract. There have been some bumps in the road but you will have that it's just a part of life overall. I believe NEOCC has come along way and I think our Audits reflect the hardwork and dedication of our staff in all areas of the facility on a daily basis.

Sep 10, 2008
Harvey Fields from Cimarron - Cushing, OK writes:

I started as a correction officer in November of 1972 which is, I dare say, before many readers were even born. I have seen changes that would have been incomprehensible in '72. Most have been very positive and private corrections is an example of growth and refinement and increased service to government, employees and the prisoner population. I worked in a state system for 23 years. Connecticut was considered progressive and employed well qualified, well paid men and women. To my way of thinking then, the poorly trained, poorly paid, "rent-a-cops of private prisons could not compare. In 1995, I was eligible and ready to retire. I thought a change of scenery to Kentucky would be nice and, as a veteran of state service, private systems would be a breeze. I discovered a new arena where many employees were new to corrections and some just needed a job. That did not stop them from being among the most loyal, hard working and skilled folks I have had the pleasure to work with. Although that was not CCA at the time, many of them continue to serve CCA as dedicated professionals at the Lee Adjustment Center. Many private prison executives and administrators come from successful careers in the public sector. They bring sharpened skills that they use to efficiently run their facilities. They selflessly share these skills with the new generation of correctional professionals. They become productive members of their communities. They earn the respect of their employees and our customers. They make private corrections a viable option for government. I left Kentucky corrections in 1998 when the company I worked for was sold. I tried retirement for a few years but could not get corrections out of my blood. In 2002, through the generosity of Don Stewart, a former colleague and friend, I joined CCA in Tulsa, Oklahoma and have now spent six years with the company. I tell every new employee I meet and anybody else that will listen that corrections is a wonderful career and I wouldn't have missed a minute of my experiences. I am proud to have served with wonderful people in five different states and have toured and audited in several more. Some of my fondest and proudest moments have been with CCA. I have learned that its the quality of the people and of the contract that determines success and CCA will match up with anybody.

Sep 10, 2008
Judith Carpenter from Kit Carson Correctional writes:

After 22 years in the military, my husband was looking for a career that could model the pride and integrity that the military had offered him since he was 17 years old. We found that with CCA. We both are employed with CCA and take great pride in this Company and the people who have chosen this career. We work side by side with well trained professionals who dedicate their day to going above and beyond what is expected of them. The copy of our CCA Way Guiding Principles is taped to my computer. Its carried in our CO's pockets, my husband has it in the binder he carries daily. Our employees at CCA are living examples of the CCA Way. Our Company sets the standards high and our employees meet those standards. Thank you for this forum and allowing us to express ourselves. PS I am sure you will also be hearing from my husband.

Aug 26, 2008
William Witthouse from Red Rock Correctional Facility writes:

I started with CCA at Holdenville, Oklahoma (Davis Correctional Facility) in October of 1999 as a correctional officer. I began the trainig just like everyone else, a little aprehensive but with a open mind. I worked at Davis for about 2yrs and in that time I found friends and co-workers and a family all dedicated for a single purpose. We all have different views comming into the prison system but it wasn't what I expected it was better. I transferrd to Watonga, Oklahoma (Diamonback Correctional Center) in July of 2001 when it was still in the opening phases and found that thing were not all that different than Davis. Sure the people were different but they were the same in some ways, It felt even though I moved to a different facility that I was still with my family. I stopped working for CCA in June of 2003 I moved for personal reasons to Arizona I was out in the "Real World" for about 3 yrs. My wife and children could see that I wasn't happy with the work that I was doing. So one night I was off watching television when a advertisment for Red Rock Correctional Facility came on. The next morning I spoke with my wife about it and the followind day I put in my application for Red Rock and was hired in August of 2006 as a correctional officer I have since promoted to Correctional Counslor on F-unit and I am enjoying my new position and my new family.

Aug 26, 2008
Capt. Don Larimore from Jacksboro, TX. writes:

When I first of private prisons it was back in 1997. I thought that was a bad idea, but I began career in corrections anyway. I must admit it was not with CCA. CCA won the contract of my unit in 2004, I stayed at the unit and began my career with CCA. I have never regretted it. The company in whole is a great company, and has taught me alot. For example, I never knew that there was a week dedicated for those in the corrections field, until CCA came along. Since I have been with CCA I have been given many opportunities to go to training and have taken advantages of that. I have gotten my Level 1&2 Munitions, T4T, and Maximizer as well as many other certifications. CCA has earned my respect, and loyalty and I highly promote CCA to everyone I come across. I am proud to be in a career with a company that looks forward to growth, not only in the company, but within the staff itself!

Aug 21, 2008
Steve Owen from Nashville writes:

“Get on with the private jail down the road for six months and then put in with the State.” That was the advice I received more than 15 years ago when I was looking for a career move from law enforcement to something with more career opportunities in the criminal justice field. And that’s exactly what I did. But somewhere along the way, six months became a year, then two years, until finally I remembered the latter part of that advice but decided at that point to just stay put. During that time, I had colleagues of mine that followed the same advice and left, though most either tried to return when they realized the grass wasn’t greener or simply left corrections altogether. Fifteen years later, I have to say that I am so glad that I was only halfway listening when that original advice was given. During my 15-year career in private corrections, 13 of them with CCA, I have had the opportunity to work with and for some of the best and brightest that this profession has to offer. During my years in the field working in two of our Texas facilities, I experienced the personal and professional satisfaction of providing offenders meaningful opportunities for change while providing for the safety and security of my family and the communities we lived in. From my previous positions as case manager, unit manager, principle, and program manager, I have collected powerful memories and professionally rewarding experiences. For example, I have seen grown men cry tears of joy at GED graduations – something most of us take for granted and reflected on the many dedicated teachers, counselors, and correctional officers who were with those inmates every step of the way instructing, encouraging and enforcing when needed. I’ve been privileged to be part of a start-up team that opened a new correctional facility, with all of the challenges and experiences that entailed. Every step of the way there were opportunities for growth and development – whether from mentors and colleagues or formal CCA training. In my current position at our Facility Support Center in Nashville, I have the great honor and privilege as a company spokesperson to promote and defend the important and meaningful service my 17,000 coworkers provide every hour of every day year-round. Corrections is a greatly misunderstood and underappreciated profession; public-private partnership even more so. As discouraging as it can be to read a biased or ill-informed news account or disparaging remark by an agenda-driven individual opposed to public-private partnership, I am strengthened and emboldened by the countless stories of meaningful service we provide to the offenders entrusted to our care and to the communities our facilities and employees call home. I know CCA does the right things for the right reasons because I’ve lived it and witnessed it personally and professionally. So, if you know someone who is looking for a career move, just tell them to “put in” at that CCA facility down the road... and stay put.

Aug 18, 2008
Joseph Watson from Clarksdale, MS writes:

I CAME TO CCA IN 2000 AS CHAPLAIN. CCA IS ONE OF THE GREATEST COMPANIES I HAVE EVER WORKED FOR. IN THE PAST ALMOST 9 YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN WITH THE COMPANY, I HAVE SEEN NOTHING BUT TEAM WORK AND FAMILY SPIRIT. I WORKED IN COLORADO, IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE, AND I AGREE WITH CEO FERGUSON, THE CCA STORY MUST BE TOLD. I AM GLAD TO BE PART OF A GREAT TEAM OF CORRECTIONAL TEAM LEADERS. THE PROGRAMS DEPT, AND ALL DEPARTMENTS IN CCA ARE WONDERFUL. I RECRUIT PEOPLE THAT WILL BE LOYAL TO OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND POLICY AND PROCEDURES.I LOVE CCA AND WHAT THE COMPANY STANDS FOR - TRUTH AND INTEGRITY.

Aug 15, 2008
Carl Carlson, Founder/Director from Men of Valor Prison Ministry, Tennessee writes:

Since 1997, Men of Valor Prison Ministry has worked with inmates within the Dept. of Correction. In 2005, Men of Valor established a partnership with Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) in an attempt to bring about real change in the lives of men while they are incarcerated. CCA agreed to give us an entire housing unit (104 men) at the CCA-Metro facility in Nashville, TN. This was and still is an unprecedented endeavor in the state of Tennessee. They have given us office space inside the actual housing unit for our four full-time staff at the prison, and to the best of their ability have accommodated our needs in terms of providing programming space. In addition, we have been given access to every inmate who comes through the gates at CCA, in order to offer each man the opportunity to join our program. Many of our men are matched up with free-world mentors, and CCA has set aside three visitation slots specifically designed for our men and their mentors. They understand the importance of these healthy relationships, not only while the man is incarcerated, but even more importantly once the man is released back into society. These mentors serve as friends, role-models, accountability, and support upon each man’s release from our program and the CCA facility. Throughout the year, CCA supports our efforts to provide special events for the participants in our program. These special events range from musical guests who bring hope and encouragement, guest speakers who share personal testimonies, and mentor rallies – when all of our men gather with their mentors for a special evening of music, worship, testimonies, and teaching. These endeavors typically require added security (which certainly comes with a price tag), but CCA has never refused to make necessary provisions in order to provide our men, their inmates, the means necessary to truly change their lives if that is the individual man’s desire. We have seen God do some incredible things during this partnership with CCA, and we believe it is only the beginning of what He wants to do in the lives of men and women who are incarcerated throughout our country. We are grateful for the hearts of the CCA leaders who have proven their commitment to do far more than simply house offenders – they are giving offenders opportunities for real change and consequently giving them hope for experiencing the abundant life. I personally thank God for CCA not only allowing MOV to be in their prison, but encouraging us to do all that we can to bring about real change in these men lives!

Aug 15, 2008
Vance Laughlin from Georgia writes:

I have worked in both the public and private sectors of the prison industry for over 20 years. There was a time, when I worked for the public sector, that I did not believe the staff or the practices of private prison operators could compare to the government run operation. I was wrong. I have worked for CCA for several years now and I find myself surrounded by the best of the best. Our company leadership, the facility management teams, and the staff on our facilities are people I can say I am proud to work with. As a warden of a large private facility with a federal contract I can honestly say I have never been forced to cut corners and to jeapordize the safety of staff, inmates, or the public. We spend money on security innovations each year, across the country, to improve our operations and the security of the facilities for all stakeholders. We do save money by controlling waste, working hard to reduce staff turnover, and shopping for the best price to be able to provide our government partners (and ultimately the tax payers)with the best possible costing. I find it almost silly to think about reports that indicate we operate without government oversight. I have approximately 65 government employees assigned to this facility who work hand-in-hand with my team. Our collective motto (CCA and government employees) at this facility is "One Team - One Mission" and that is exactly how we operate. I would put the sanitation, professionalism, and overall humanitarian operation of this facility up against any facility in the country - public or private. I am proud to work for CCA and I am proud to tell people I am a CCA employee. CCA has become a leader in correctional best practices and innovation in the United States. I am extremely proud to know that I am a part of that team.

Aug 14, 2008
Mike Grotefend, National Union Leader from Wisconsin writes:

I’ve followed with considerable interest the recent debate about whether to utilize private prisons. As the former president of one of the nation’s largest corrections officers unions, I want the public to know that opposing private prisons is a very bad idea. I am highly familiar with the points being made by opponents of privatization. They are the same points I made in speeches and town hall meetings across the Midwest back in the 1980s, when private prisons first began. My list of objections was long. My words were passionate and eerily similar to the arguments you’re hearing today. I warned of cut corners, unsafe conditions, insufficient training, no real cost savings, low wages, escapes, riots and a lack of accountability. I gave more speeches than I can count – all of them blasting privatization. Well, get this: I was wrong. This is no small matter for me to admit, a wholesale reversal in my thinking. So what changed my mind? Quite simply, the facts. In the early 1980s when private corrections management started, concerns about this new approach were legitimate. But 20 years later, the industry has established itself as a viable partner to government. In recent years after retiring from the Bureau of Prisons, I began to take an objective look at privatization and the union bantering. I began talking with private industry professionals – many of whom had retired from the federal or state corrections systems and moved directly into private management companies as heads of operations or wardens. They spoke about quality and high professionalism. I toured some privately operated prisons and witnessed the quality and professionalism firsthand, along with sound operational efficiencies. I studied cost comparisons and saw true savings by the private sector – savings that government can use to fund other public needs like health care and education. After researching, I realized the quality and accountability from the private sector were significant. So I then focused on why the unions (even my own voice) spent so much effort to discredit these private operations. I ultimately faced the truth – that we were scared of competition that private entities bring to government. We had a monopoly, and that meant our unions would continue to have large membership and all the revenues and political clout that comes with that. Privatization was a threat to the status quo. My fears about privatization proved to be unwarranted. To borrow a favorite movie line, those who raise the same tired arguments today simply “can’t handle the truth.” They’re merely interested in protecting their own self-interest, and they’re using scare tactics to do it. Opponents of privatization don’t care if it’s good for taxpayers, and even good for inmates because of the strong quality of care. These opponents are simply seeking to protect themselves – not the good of all. For more than a year, I proudly served on an advisory board for the largest private corrections management company in the country, Corrections Corporation of America. Their management invited me on the committee because they knew I had previously bought the unions’ “privatization bashing” concept and had changed my mind. It’s safe to say that participating on their committee is something I would never have considered doing before I realized that public-private partnership in corrections is ultimately very good for the nation’s corrections system. It’s not every day you get the chance to refute your own arguments. I hope folks won’t make the same mistakes of judgment I did two decades ago. Opposing private prisons is a very bad idea. About Mike: After serving in Vietnam, Mike Grotefend worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons as a correctional officer in Wisconsin, immediately becoming a charter member of the local union. The union became a huge part of his life. He testified before Congress after the death of a fellow officer. He climbed the ranks of the national union leadership, eventually becoming president in 1987.

Aug 13, 2008
John Ferguson, CCA Chairman and CEO from Nashville writes:

There is section in our self-evaluation survey that asks employees to rate their performance in the area of integrity. While it is always useful to evaluate ourselves, are there really varying degrees of integrity? We don’t want to be honest and ethical some of the time, we strive to perform our jobs and live our lives with integrity, all the time. There are four ratings choices on the self-evaluation: needs development, skilled, accomplished and role model. When it comes to integrity we should all look to be role models – at work, home and in the community. That’s what our customers, shareholders, and fellow employees have come to expect from CCA. When we launched the CCA Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles in 2004, our goal was to define and create a company culture that all employees would be proud of, feel apart of, and get excited about. Employees are embracing the CCA Way as a way of life and integrity is at the forefront of everything we do. Without integrity serving as the foundation of our values as professionals and as people, we’ll have great difficulty achieving any of our other guiding principles. The CCA Way tells us integrity means to Be honest and highly ethical. Always do the right thing, with honorable intentions. In short, do the right thing. Doing the right thing, all the time, is the reason we enjoy such a positive reputation in the corrections industry today, one of the highest integrity. I believe that if our customers were asked those same self-evaluation questions on integrity about partnering with CCA – which include themes like offers direct communication, tells the truth, admits mistakes and abides by ethical business practices – each answer would by checked with the role model response. To our customers, integrity is invaluable. We’ve proven that, over time, we will consistently operate with the highest integrity – not just in the short term, but year after year after year. We are growing as a company, evidence that our customers confidently rely on CCA to help meet their needs. This company is in a position to grow because our customers trust the way we do business and deliver our services. We simply wouldn’t be where we are today without establishing and demonstrating our strong sense of integrity. When we talk about trust and integrity, it’s not just about providing that assurance to our customers. We also need trust and integrity from each other as coworkers. We must trust those employees that work beside, above and below us to do the right thing. When we are all working together, doing the very best we can, we excel in our performance, our safety and security, and as a company. We foster trust and a sense of community when, at all levels of the company, we are being truthful and doing the right thing. It’s our employees who must interpret the words and intentions of our vision, mission and guiding principles and apply them to the job they do everyday. Our employees, by their actions, ensure that we are delivering on our promises, by providing safety and security to the communities in which we operate, helping our offenders turn their lives around and knowing and caring for each other as part of our CCA family. Integrity is woven throughout every action our employees perform everyday – from developing the needed attention to detail for the daily, routine tasks of rounds, shake downs, and counts, to honing the intuitive skills for listening to our offenders, addressing their concerns, noticing changes in behavior, and quelling situations before they escalate. Our employees’ commitment to doing the right thing, is what builds our reputation with our communities, customers, shareholders and our fellow and prospective CCA employees. Making a personal commitment to always do the right thing is admirable but difficult even for the most conscientious person. But, the rewards of acting and living with integrity are worth the effort even if we try but sometimes fail. My previous job in state government, as Tennessee Finance Commissioner, was very challenging. Many times, I was in a position of being asked to pick sides or to tarnish the reputation of another for the gain of someone else. I struggled to always be diplomatic and fair, but it was hard. Looking back on those years, I am proud of the way I handled those trying situations that tested my integrity. I earned the respect of my colleagues and the press. One reporter even referred to me as ‘Honest John.’ It wasn’t easy. But I tried to always do the right thing. You likely have a similar recollection of an experience that tested your integrity – a situation that called for you to make a difficult decision or stand-up for your values. I thank each of you for graciously adopting the CCA Way and leading a life, on and off the job, committed to integrity. Because of our collective commitment to doing the right thing, I am very proud of this company, the milestones we’ve accomplished, our recent successes and all the employees who live the CCA Way.

Aug 7, 2008
Patrick Jablonski, CCA Director from Quality Assurance Analysis writes:

I never thought I would end up working in the corrections industry, and I certainly never imagined that I would work for Corrections Corporation of America. As a young college professor in Tennessee in the late 1990s, all I knew about CCA was what I read each day in The Tennessean. I moved to Florida in 2000 and subsequently departed academia to take a statistical research position with the Orange County Corrections Department in Orlando, Florida. I was (and still am) incredibly impressed with the quality of the people throughout the corrections industry. During my 5 year career with Orange County, I learned a depth of knowledge about corrections. Most importantly, I learned that running a safe correctional facility begins first and foremost with treating inmates with respect. I was particularly struck by the philosophy that operating a high quality facility means preventing incidents from occurring rather than merely reacting to them as they happened. In short, the philosophy is that it is easier to solve problems before they become violent and expensive in terms of time, emotions, and money. Over the years, I was proud that I was able to furnish my bosses with statistical predictive information that helped significantly reduce inmate and staff injuries. Despite my high degree of job satisfaction, I also wanted to move my family back to Tennessee. When I learned of an opening at CCA’s headquarters in Nashville in their Quality Assurance department, my first reaction was to dismiss the possibility of working there out of hand. My prior negative opinions of CCA from press accounts were supplemented by the opinions of some of my colleagues from jails who were critical of the company. Their perception, based mostly on media accounts and information from opposition groups, was that CCA did not care about high quality operations and was engaged only in wringing as much money out of its facilities as possible. By coincidence, at nearly the same exact time, I was given an assignment by one of my bosses to summarize the findings of American Correctional Association (ACA) accreditation panel hearings. ACA represents the nation’s highest correctional standards. During this project, I was positively stunned to notice that CCA’s facilities were regularly scoring at the very top of all of the facilities in the country. This intrigued me, and I decided to apply for the position with CCA. During the job application process in 2006 I clearly explained I was not interested in working for CCA unless the company truly subscribed to the belief that the best way to operate a facility is by maintaining quality and safety for all involved. I was surprised when this comment was met with unanimous agreement. Management assured me that, in short, operating safe and secure facilities that are predicated on respect for people makes good business sense. It is indeed the right thing to do, and from a dollars and cents perspective, it is much more cost-effective to prevent problems before they occur. This means that my company takes extraordinary steps over and above what many organizations would do to operate high quality facilities. I am proud of my company and would not be here if I did not believe that we consistently try to do the right thing. Are we perfect? Absolutely not. To say the least, it is a difficult task to ensure that 17,000 staff members always make perfect choices and that more than 75,000 offenders follow the rules that are made in order to protect them. Correctional facilities are challenging environments. CCA facilities are no exception. However, thousands of CCA employees go to work every single day dedicated to the philosophy that operating high quality correctional facilities is the right thing to do.

Aug 6, 2008
Louise Grant, CCA Spokesperson from Nashville writes:

For eight proud years, I have learned the greatest details of facts about my company, CCA, and have shouldered the responsibility, with my fellow corrections professionals, of educating the media, our government customers, local community citizens and the general public about Corrections Corporation of America and private corrections management. I’ve walked with media and government leaders through the hallways of our impressively clean, well-lit, safe correctional facilities. I’ve seen them talk with our inmates. I’ve witnessed them sit in on GED classes or Microsoft User computer classes. I’ve seen them talk with our drug treatment counselors. I’ve overheard them talk with a nurse and mental health professional. I’ve watched our correctional officers (we DO NOT call them guards – they are trained, corrections professionals) provide details about their responsible in providing safe operations for the offenders in our care. Inevitably, at the end of these facility tours, the guests will say, with great surprise, “I had no idea that a CCA prison was so well organized.” We change public opinion one person at a time, each time someone walks through any of our more than 60 correctional centers across the country. We do not operate like the horrid images on movies such as Shawshank Redemption or the Castle. We’re not like the television depictions on HBO’s Oz or the variety of “reality prison” shows. We are not lazy, corrupt, inept, uncaring individuals who punish criminals and place no regard on precious human life. In fact, I am both outraged and saddened when I read the unforgiving headlines in certain media outlets. Rather, CCA is a highly respectable company of the utmost integrity, providing meaningful public service in an honorable profession. In my 22 years as a communications specialist, I have never before worked with individuals of such commitment to their profession, such caring and such desire to speak the truth. I hope in coming months to share personal accounts of why I proudly represent this company every single day, and why I think you’ll be highly surprised at the many innovative, positively life-changing moments that are occurring in our facilities throughout this nation.