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ABUSE
"It's ridiculous to have anybody live like that. To me, that's not even
human."
Mary Braswell, Frank Horton's grandmother about how her mentally
ill grandson went 9 months without a shower at CCA's Metro-Davidson
Detention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Tennessean, March 24,
2008
“It might be more realistic to empty the centre briefly, so that it
can be relaunched with a properly trained and reinvigorated staff,
focused on plenty of good-quality, purposeful activity, dynamic
security, and an emphasis on appropriate behaviour within clear
boundaries.”
Anne Owers, UK Chief Inspector of Prisons, suggestion to close the jail
after finding a lack of control and order at
Group 4's Oakhill Secure Training Unit. The Times, March 17, 2008
"Sometimes you need to restrain a child to protect them from themselves,
but there is a difference between restraining a child and beating a
child."
Carol Pounder, mother of Adam Rickwood who killed himself after a being
hit by a guard at Serco run Hassockfield Secure Training Centre in the
UK. The Northern Echo, March 8, 2008
"It angers me that it took these people dying and full embarrassment in
the press for this to happen."
Penny Ryder, of the American Friends Service Committee on the release of
a scathing report on the health care provided by Correctional Medical
Services in Michigan Prisons. Grand Rapid Press, February 6, 2008
"It's humiliating."
Lead class-action plaintiff Stephen D. Bussy on being strip-searched
at GEO's George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania on a
misdemeanor charges. AP, January 31, 2008
"He just came in and started choking me, and getting on top of me, and
grabbing my hands and pulling them behind my back and stuff like that,
and grabbing me in private areas."
Former GEO juvenile detention inmate Deon Olthoff, 18, on being abused
by a registered sex offender that GEO hired as a guard at the Coke
County Juvenile Justice Center. Dallas Morning News, December 6,
2007
"It pains me to think of all the people who have been mistreated there in
the years since we first raised the issue. If the authorities had
listened to us, then all that suffering could have been avoided."
Former Melbourne Custody Center employee Ros
Atkinson on how her information on abuse was ignored by GEO Group and
others. The Herald Sun, November 24, 2007
"I have received complaints from prisoners about their treatment by
custodial staff, particularly allegations of assault."
Victorian Ombudsman George Brouwer
on a beating of a detainee at GEO's Melbourne Custody Center. The Age,
November 22, 2007
"It was not an assault. It was something that was consensual."
Evelyn Hernandez of the CCA's T. Don Hutto Detention Center about
the rape of a detainee there. KXAN, October 31, 2007
"It seemed there was no end to the degradation he and other prisoners
were to endure with substandard facilities."
Shirley Noble, who told a Texas Legislative Committee how her son,
43-year-old Idaho inmate Scot Noble Payne, endured months of horrific
conditions then slit his own throat at a private Texas prison run by GEO
Group. KRIS TV, October 12, 2007
"The unsafe conditions I witnessed at Coke County this weekend are
unacceptable. We have zero tolerance for any form of abuse within the
system, and those responsible parties will be held accountable."
Texas Youth Corrections Executive Director Dimitria Pope on announcing the
decision to cancel its contract with GEO Group at the Coke County
Juvenile Detention Center after a surprise visit uncovered some
continuing problems. Oops. Dallas Morning News, October 2, 2007
"While there were issues with the standards in terms of food service and
clothing and temperature and things like that, our reasons for taking
people out are really much more fundamental than that. We just have
serious doubts about Cornell at the facility."
Gary Mead, assistant director for
detention and removal operations for ICE, on why ICE removed their
detainees from Cornell's Regional Correctional Center in Albuquerque,
New Mexico. Albuquerque Tribune, September 13, 2007
"They know that the child got injured somehow. They just don't know how."
Rob Johnson, a spokesman for regulators in Tennessee on the lack of
oversight at the Chad Youth Enhancement Center. Philadelphia Inquirer,
August 5, 2007
"If a jail treats its employees that way, how is it going to treat
inmates?"
GEO guard's Attorney Mark Anthony Sanchez on GEO's Val Verde Prison upon
learning Idaho was shipping inmates to the troubled facility. His client
won a verdict against GEO for racial discrimination. The Olympian,
July 10, 2007
"Is there any warrant for shackling the feet
and binding the chest of an innocent detainee?"
Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Senior Judge John Noonan on CCA's
handling of an immigration detainee. Metropolitan News-Enterprise,
December 7, 2004
"We're very concerned, We're very concerned."
CCA spokeswoman Cathie Sullivan on how male guard was allowed to get
access to a 17-year-old female inmate he allegedly raped. Hernando Today,
December 1, 2004
"We have yet to find one of these organizations or individuals who
can substantiate any of these claims, except maybe for an isolated incident that
may have occurred years ago. I would challenge them to prove any of these
allegations."
Steve Owen, CCA spokesman on allegations that CCA cuts corners, has little
oversight and is one of the worst prison management systems nationwide. ZWire,
May 23, 2004
ACCREDITATION
"You
can have a good jail and still not be accredited."
Leflore County, Mississippi Sheriff Ricky Banks on cutting ACA accreditation
contract requirement for CCA's Delta Correctional Facility. Greenwood
Commonwealth, September 7, 2005
BENEFITS
"Currently, Cornell offers a health insurance package, but the
employees have to pay 100 percent of the premium."
Valencia County Administrator Michael Oliver on Cornell. Albuquerque
Journal, December 29, 2004
"We'll be making our current wages, (but) we'll be losing out on
several things. If you don't have a county job, you don't have the retirement.
What we've put (into our retirement), we'll get, but it won't continue."
Coshocton County Justice Center cook Janet Swaney on Aramark's take over of
the jail food contract. Coshocton Tribune, July 23, 2004
BONDING
"I feel bad for the people of Hardin and understand that they want jobs.
But I don't feel that this was handled appropriately, nor do I think we should
base economic development on prison beds."
Montana State Senator Steve Gallus on a failed CiviGenics plan to hold inmates
at a county jail in Hardin. Billings Gazette, January 7, 2008
"It's a small ripple, but it is fair to say that people in Montana who
have their savings invested in tax-exempt mutual funds stand a chance to lose
part of their asset value."
Michael Harling, executive vice president of Municipal Capital Markets on
the possible default of bonds floated to build a CiviGenics jail. The Gazette,
January 23, 2008
"Deprived of its essential function by state action, the detention center
will face potentially catastrophic loss, including possible default on financing
commitments."
Suit filed against the Montana's Attorney General 's opinion that
Hardin County had no authority to import inmates from out of state into a CiviGenics jail. Billings Gazette,
December 12, 2007
"The problem is, once that reserve fund is tapped, it becomes an event of
default. (A default) casts a sort of pallor over it in the financial world. That
isn't great, and we don't want that."
Michael Harling, executive vice president of Municipal Capital Markets on
the Montana's Attorney General 's opinion that Hardin County had no authority to
import inmates from out of state into a CiviGenics jail. Billings Gazette,
December 4, 2007
"They issue the bonds, take on the debt and the promise is always if
something goes wrong, there's no risk because the county didn't issue the bonds,
the PFC (Public Facility Corporation) issued the bonds. But rating agencies
don't differentiate between a PFC and the county. If the PFC goes default, its
the same as if the county did."
Dr. Sean Chadwell, former Encinal, Texas city councilman on private bonding
of prisons.
“They said they were worried about losing our bond
rating, and that’s why we should continue to operate the facility. We lost it
(bond rating) anyway."
Hood County, Texas Judge Andy Rash about MTC pulling out of a COP issue.
Hood County News, February 1, 2006
"If somebody has the ability to pass a tax issue or a bond, I think
they'd be foolish not to. That's still the cheapest and the best way to
go."
Municipal Capital Markets VP Michael Harling on the use of Certificates of Participation
vs. bonding for building prisons. For-profits use the COPs to get around voters
on bond issues. Correctional News, July 23, 2004
CHERRY-PICKING
"If
you're cherry-picking the very best prisoners, like private schools do with
students, the state ends up with the worst ones, thereby driving up our costs."
Minnesota state Rep. Debra Hilstrom on sending inmates to CCA's Prairie
Correctional Facility. Pioneer Press, March 13, 2005
COST
"I think you saw us [in] April at our worst."
Ernie Dixon, director of operations for The GEO Group, about the costs
a riot in 2007 at GEO's New Castle Correctional Facility is causing. The Star
Press, April 24, 2008
“It’s a slippery slope when every provider gets a different rate."
Patrick Brodhead, an analyst for the Colorado Joint Budget Committee on CCA
getting a three percent increase out of the state after threatening to remove CO
inmates if the state didn't pay. The Daily Sentinel, March 11, 2008
"We've got a negotiating disadvantage. The choice we've got to make is to
give them a provider rate increase that is three times what we're giving to all
other providers, or to build hundreds of millions of dollars in additional
prisons. We don't have that hundreds of millions of dollars, and they know it.
The decisions that have been made over the last 12 years (in using private
prisons) have put us in a very difficult negotiating position."
Colorado Representative and Joint Budget Commitee Chairman Bernie Buescher on
CCA's demands for a 5 percent increase in payments from the state.
Pueblo Chieftain, February 6, 2008
"This bartering has gone on for better than a year now and I believe it's
publicly embarrassing for both entities. For us to threaten lawsuit to go after
monies that's rightfully ours is absurd. But to have mediated for anything less
would have done a disservice to the public taxpayers who depend on those
allocated revenues for infrastructure improvements."
Eloy, Arizona Mayor Byron Jackson about ongoing debate with CCA over the
payment of construction taxes. Casa Grande Valley News, December 27, 2007
"I believe and this government believes, that our people have frankly
received poor value, if not been ripped off, in many instances, by many flagship
projects."
Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill on Sodexho's Addiewell Prison.
Press Association, December 4, 2007
"They have a blanket policy to keep their fingers crossed and hope these
people are no longer their problem."
Greg Lauer, a Fort Lauderdale lawyer, on Armor's attempts at cost cutting at
the expense of inmates at the Broward County Detention Center. South Florida
Sun-Sentinel, November 27, 2007
"It tells me I shouldn't be running to privatization."
Utah Department of Corrections Director Tom Patterson on a study
showing no reason for the state to privatize. Salt Lake City Tribune,
September 20, 2007
"The cost to make those repairs would actually be double that, because
we'd have to finance them, and we still wouldn't own the building."
Mike Sieving, Hamilton County, Ohio construction project executive, on the
$44 million in repairs required at the CCA prison the county rents. City Beat,
September 12, 2007
“We think we can save between 10 and 15 percent which is critical to us
right now.”
Anthony Ventetuolo Jr., president of Avcorr Consulting on local detention
facility corporation taking control of management from Cornell at the Wyatt
Detention Facility, Rhode Island. Providence Journal-Bulletin, June 22,
2007
“It’s been a nightmare. I’m not voting for spending one more thin dime
until we get our grant.”
Moore Haven, Florida Councilman John Ahern on hearing the $9 million
engineering bill for water extension to GEO's prison. Glades County Democrat,
June 13, 2007
"Business decisions across two administrations may result in New Mexico
paying an estimated $34 million more than it should pay for private prison
construction costs."
From audit by a New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee review team. New
Mexico's private-prison spending rose 57 percent in the past six years. New
Mexican, May 24, 2007
“It was the first time I’d heard we were actually going to have to put up
money”
Adams County, MS Supervisor Henry Watts on CCA's not being upfront with all
the costs for their prison proposal. Natchez Democrat, May 3, 2007
''I'm surprised because
of the way the last contract was handled and terminated and because they were
not the lowest bidder. My concern has always been making sure that the state
fulfilled its end of the contract by imposing the fines"
Florida Senator Dave Aronberg upon learning that the DOC had given a
contract back to Prison Health Services including an extra $250 million after
they pulled out because they weren't making enough money on the first contract.
Tallahassee Democrat, October 24, 2006
"You're dealing with a private
business here, and they are in it to make money and answer to shareholders. Our
mission is public safety, and the ideologies don't always line up"
Oklahoma Corrections Director Justin Jones on Cornell's plan to evict state
inmates for higher paying federal inmates. The Oklahoman, October 12,
2006
"It's the nature of the beast.
That's why these people get contracts, and not just with us. They get contracts
across the country because government is looking for ways to save taxpayer
money, and that's exactly what we're doing."
Hernando County, Florida Purchasing Director Jim Gantt on why their CCA
jail has high guard turnover. St. Petersburg Times, February 5, 2006
"We've tried it and it did not
work. In my opinion, they can't do it better for less."
Arkansas Prison Director Larry Norris on privatization cost savings.
Arkansas News, January 13, 2006
“A Fortune 500 company like Corrections Corporation of America can’t fix
a toilet?”
Bay County, Florida Public Defender Walter Smith on CCA's inability to fix a
toilet for over three months at their Bay County Jail. News Herald,
January 11, 2006
"We were really surprised
they not only bid on the Florida business but bid as low as they did. This is
truly one of the most risky contracts that any prison health company could enter
into."
Mark Hale, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Wexford, on
Prison Health Services award of a Florida Department of Corrections contract.
Ft Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, January 9, 2006
"That's a costly remedy
for the situation."
Idaho Gov. Kenpthorne spokesman Mike Journee on the cost of shipping inmates
out-of-state to CCA's prison in Minnesota. Casper Star Tribune, November
15, 2005.
"It was too expensive to treat
both."
Former First Correctional Medical employee, Dr. Ramesh Vemulapalli, on being
told to treat inmate AIDS or hepatitus C -- but not both in Delaware. Wilmington
News Journal, September 26, 2005
"It's going to cost the state a lot of money in the long run."
Dr. Robert Cohen on state a federal lawsuits Delaware faces regardless of
Correctional Medical Services indemnification. Wilmington News Journal,
September 25, 2005.
"CCA
is adequate, but the fact is that costs are outpacing revenues and have brought
us to this point. We'd like to see the jail operate within the existing revenues
and not be an additional burden to the tax payers."
Tulsa
County Undersheriff Brian Edwards on rising jail costs at CCA's David L. Moss
Jail in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tulsa World, January 26, 2005
"We want to be paid as much as the private
jails."
Kenton County jailer Terry Carl on Kentucky paying for-profits $30.49 to $44.19
per day vs. $26.51 to county jails. News Enquirer, January 2, 2005
"I'm
not, obviously, going to say we've wasted money."
Florida Juvenile Justice Association lobbyist Mark Fontaine on
juvenile transfers increasing cost to the taxpayer. Orlando Sentinel, December
19, 2004
"One of my concerns is the county's broke, I cut my budget 20
percent from what I requested. The county does not have the money to pick up
funding of the jail."
Tulsa County Oklahoma Sheriff
Stanley Glanz on CCA's five-year 32% per diem increase at the David L. Moss
Criminal Justice Center. Tulsa World, October 28, 2004
"Trying to save money by cutting corrections
is scary for the public's safety"
Joe Lang, attorney for Cornell, told Valencia County,
NM commissioners when the county took back control of their jail. Albuquerque
Journal, September 22, 2004
''Without
those capital improvements to the building, CCA's liability was too great to
continue the contract.''
CCA spokeswoman Louise Chickering on why CCA won't spend $2.5 million on
sprinklers for its Tall Trees buildings and therefore cancelled its contract. Tennessean,
August 17, 2004
"The highest rate then for a residential treatment facility was
around $121 a day per child. No other facility in residential treatment in our
state was getting anything above that. And Cornell knew that."
South Dakota Child Protection Services administrator Virgena Wieseler on
Cornell's demand for $179 per child at its State Training School in Plankinton,
SD. Argus Leader, August 5, 2004
"Every contract is unique."
CCA spokeswoman on whether CCA was going to reimburse the government for
costs associated with a riot at their Crowley County CF in Colorado. Market
Watch, July 21, 2004
"That does change what is offered"
Debbie Albert of Aramark on why meal quality declined after a new contract
with New Mexico cut payments by about 20 cents per meal. The New Mexican,
July 9, 2004
"I don't know of any other budget in county government that's doubled in
five years."
Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz on CCA's increasing costs at the Tulsa
Jail. Daily Oklahoman, June 15, 2004
CORRUPTION
"There is no disputing that [Miami-Dade Transit] was billed for
hours not worked by Wackenhut security officers, which is a very serious
offense.''
Miami-Dade County Manager George Burgess wrote in a memo to the Mayor
regarding an audit showing that Wackenhut overbilled the County
$6,000,000 for ghost employees. Miami-Herald, May 9, 2008
“It clarified the issue for me when I found out the sheriff is
getting $12,000 a year from the company leasing the jail. I’m not going
to accept funds from a private entity."
McLennan County Texas Sheriff candidate Randy Gates about the current
sheriff's receiving a $12,000 "stipend" from CiviGenics. Waco Tribune,
February 17, 2008
"I don't know what this money is for. I have some ethical
consideration regarding this money."
Webb County, Texas Commissioner Jerry Garza on GEO's offer of $250,000
to the Commission that no one knew what it was for. Laredo Morning
Times, November 14, 2007
"Just right now, I think it would be a bad idea to specifically
look for contributions from GEO."
Texas State Rep. Jerry Madden on his annual fundraiser partly
underwritten by GEO Group after one of its facilities was closed by the
Texas Youth Commission and GEO was under investigation by the
Legislature. Dallas Morning News, October 12, 2007
"Nobody in our department has worked for this company in the last
six or seven years. They've also worked for PHS. They've also worked for
about a dozen other companies. They go back and forth between the
companies and state service."
Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Richard Allen
defending his homeboys before legislative questioning about a CMS
contract award. I don't think realized what he said. Huntsville Times,
September 6, 2007
"The information that I got, from experts that reviewed the expenses,
says they could not justify the $50 million. They padded the construction costs
by an extra $20 to $15 million," Guerra said. "What is funny you get
commissioners that are indicted for taking $10,000. I am just wondering who are
the real crooks?"
Willacy County, Texas District
Attorney Juan Guerra on how the county was sold private prisons. Killeen
Daily Herald, November 13, 2006
"I said at the time, in 2004, on the Whittier proposal, someone's going
to jail over this 'cause I could see how corrupt the process was."
Alaska Representative Eric Croft on FBI investigation into corruption within
the legislature. Alaska Report, September 1, 2006
"We’re not going to tolerate
companies coming in to take advantage of small counties and offering kickbacks
and going on like it’s business as usual. Whoever offers kickbacks is just as
guilty as those taking kickbacks."
Texas District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra on alleged
bribes by Corplan and MTC. Valley Morning Star, January 8, 2005
DRUGS
"Anyone, especially an employee, trying to deliver contraband into our
facility is taken very seriously."
Liberty County, Texas Sheriff Greg Arthur on two CiviGenics guards being charged
with drug smuggling. Houston Chronicle, January 23, 2008
"The guards make $18,000 a year and the inmates are walking around with a
thousand dollars in cash on them"
Former GEO Group inmate David Eugene Davis about his experience at GEO's
Lawrenceville Correctional Facility in Virginia where over half the states
illegal drugs are found. Richmond Times-Dispatch, March 18, 2007
“It’s hard to comprehend that
someone would risk all that for $30.”
GEO Group's Val Verde County
Jail Warden John Campbell about guard being busted
for smuggling pot into the jail. Del Rio News-Herald, January 1, 2005
"This is not something we
anticipated with the jail."
Midland
(Canada) Police Chief Paul Hamel on the increase in crack-cocaine in the
community due to an MTC prison. The Mirror, September 29, 2004
EASE IN GETTING OUT OF CONTRACTS
“When you use private prisons, you become hostage to their setting the
rate. And we always knew that this issue was out there.”
Colorado Representative Bernie Buescher on CCA's "extortion" of the state
use of CCA prison space. The Daily Sentinel, January 15, 2008
“They said that if we don’t essentially do a 5 percent increase over each
of the next five years, they will work at closing at least one of their prisons
to Colorado prisoners and start bringing in out-of- state prisoners.”
Colorado Representative Bernie Buescher on CCA's "extortion" of the state use of
CCA prison space. The Daily Sentinel, January 15, 2008
'I'm surprised because of the way
the last contract was handled and terminated and because they were not the
lowest bidder. My concern has always been making sure that the state fulfilled
its end of the contract by imposing the fines"
Florida Senator Dave Aronberg upon learning that the DOC had given a
contract back to Prison Health Services including an extra $250 million after
they pulled out because they weren't making enough money on the first contract.
Tallahassee Democrat, October 24, 2006
"You're dealing with a private business here, and they are in it to make
money and answer to shareholders. Our mission is public safety, and the
ideologies don't always line up"
Oklahoma Corrections Director Justin Jones on Cornell's plan to evict state
inmates for higher paying federal inmates. The Oklahoman, October 12,
2006
"Any plan to artificially reduce
the county jail population will invoke CiviGenics rights to exercise a 30-day
termination provision."
CiviGenics' Chief Operating Officer
Peter Argeropulos on forcing Columbiana County to keep the jail filled.
Salem News, August 12, 2006
“They (private-prison firms) kind of know they’ve got us over the barrel. “If
we don’t use them, we’ve got to ship people out of state. To a large extent, we
can’t dictate to them like we did in the ’90s. They would like to see us in
crisis when they open their doors.”
Dave Schouweiler, purchasing manager for the Colorado DOC on having to use
CCA and GEO. The Gazette, July 31, 2006
"This state is stuck in a partnership with private corporations -- there
is no way that we can back out now."
Colorado DOC Executive Director Joe Ortiz on getting out of private prison
contracts. Pueblo Chieftain, August 20, 2004
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
"I feel bad for the people of Hardin and understand that they want jobs.
But I don't feel that this was handled appropriately, nor do I think we should
base economic development on prison beds."
Montana State Senator Steve Gallus on a failed CiviGenics plan to hold inmates
at a county jail in Hardin. Billings Gazette, January 7, 2008
"There's a lack of work force up there. The population isn't there."
Montana state Sen. Trudi Schmidt on CCA's Crossroad's high turnover rate.
Great Falls Tribune, January 11, 2006
"Now,
they refuse to pay us ..."
Wheelwright, Kentucky Mayor David Sammons on CCA's refusal to pay a $10,000
per month payment to the town. AP, September 12, 2005
"They’re hitting us in the
pocketbook."
Willacy County, Texas Judge Simon
Salinas on the federal government not sending enough inmates into its MTC jail. Valley
Star, February 10, 2005
"(Companies and public agencies) site these
facilities where they'll find the least resistance and the cheapest land
costs."
Houston County Commissioner El Franco Lee on the Federal Bureau of Prisons not
taking public input on the siting of a private halfway house. Houston
Chronicle, November 22, 2004
“(Southern
Peaks) has already been a burden on law enforcement and a safety concern to the
community and it was not represented that way originally. It’s almost an
unfunded mandate when the court orders me to transport these kids.”
Fremont County, Colorado Sheriff
Jim Beicker on recent spate of escapes from Cornell's Southern Peaks Treatment
Facility. Canon Cafe, October 8, 2004
"Part of the workforce is going to have to move here."
Toole County (Montana) Commissioner Allan Underal acknowledging the
difficulty in finding qualified employees for CCA's planned prison expansion in
rural Montana. Great Falls Tribune, August 20, 2004
"We have heard so much about how it's going to bring business here.
Florence (AZ) has five prison, two of them private and that city has lost so
many people because of it. Florence doesn't even have a supermarket anymore.
What are we going to become."
Former Arizona corporation Commission attorney Patricia Cooper on MTC's
proposal for a 500-bed facility in Benson, AZ. Benson News, August 4,
2004
"We provide evidence that prison construction has actually impeded
economic growth in those rural communities that were already growing at a slower
pace. Among slow-growing counties, it appears that new prisons do more harm than
good."
Gregory Hooks, Chairman of the Department of Sociology at Washington State
University on a recent study on the economic impact of prisons on communities.
AScribe Newswire, July 19, 2004
"When this thing was built we had hoped there would be just more
than the jobs. At some point in time we'd hoped there would be some financial
benefit."
Pulaski County (IL) chairman Jerry Thurston on bringing GRW to run the
Tri-County jail. The Southern Illinoisan, June 24, 2004
HIGH TURNOVER
"They seem to be understaffed and they also
have a high (employee) turnover rate"
Attorney Mike Malloy about GEO's George Hill Correctional Facility. Newsof
DelawareCounty.com, December 30, 2004
"The (high turnover rate)
generally means that tenured staff is generally low, and when tenured staff is
very low, sometimes they have difficulties dealing with situations that are not
typical of everyday operations"
Colorado DOC's
director of prisons, Nolin Renfrow about CCA's Crowley prison's turnover. Pueblo
Chieftain, September 22, 2004
"But we still have a considerable amount of turnover. It's probably
in line with the rest of the industry. It's just the nature of the
business."
Securicor Facility Administrator Mike Smith on staff turnover at Florida's
Cypress Creek Juvenile Detention Facility. Citrus Chronicle, June 26,
2004
"When you're recruiting and training people as corrections officers, many
find when they're in training or in their first year that they aren't cut out as
corrections officers -- and opt out."
George Zoley, Wackenhut Corrections CEO after the death of Ralph Garcia at WCC's
Santa Rosa Facility. Garcia was making $7.89 an hour. Miami Herald, April
16, 2000
HIRING FORMER OFFICIALS
"I
personally don't see anything wrong with it."
Former Georgia Legislator turned CCA lobbyist Dan Lee about revolving door
politics. Atlanta Journal-Constitution, February 13, 2005
"The transition from legislator to lobbyist is just too
cozy right now."
Georgia Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver about former legislators using public
service for personal gain after leaving office. Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
February 13, 2005
"The revolving door is spinning so fast
it's now hit the department in the rear end.''
State Sen. Gloria Romero called for a
state audit of the deals last week after the Los Angeles Times reported that
Schwarzenegger's former finance director, Donna Arduin, was appointed to the
board of directors of a trust that owns the facility that GEO Group plans to use.
San Francisco Chronicle, February 4, 2005
"Most
companies want their lobbying teams to reflect the political landscape."
Chuck
McMullen, a former aide to Tom Price, the former Georgia majority leader newly
elected to the U.S. House, on CCA hiring the
former Georgia floor leader as a lobbyist. Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
January 14, 2005
“During the initial contract term, the contractor shall
not hire as an employee of contractor, any person who, at the time this contract
is executive, is serving in an elected office by the County of Dickson.”
Amendment to CCA proposed contract language after questions were raised over
possible hiring of Dickson County, Tennessee sheriff. Dickson Herald,
December 28, 2004
“I
think it’s vital that we have a direct line into the inner workings of that
process. From my perspective, this is something we really need to do.”
Reeves County, TX Judge Jimmy Galindo on hiring Randy DeLay, brother of U.S.
Rep. Tom DeLay, to lobby the federal Bureau of Prisons for inmates at the GEO
run county detention center. Odessa American, September 14, 2004
"We are not concerned. He is being retained because of his ability to be
kept up to speed with the decision making, like all of our lobbyists around the
states. That is why we retain the individual."
Steve Owens, CCA spokesman on hiring
David O'Leary, former CT Gov. chief of staff, under federal investigation into
bid-rigging and possible state impeachment charges. Record-Journal,
February 28, 2004
"This allows us to monitor ongoing public policy discussions in
corrections. Additionally, lobbyists provide an avenue by which the company can
inform and educate decision-makers of our industry generally and our company
specifically."
John Ferguson, CCA CEO on hiring Connecticut Gov. John Rowland's former chief of
staff. The Courant, February 23, 2004
LIABILITY
"However, they felt being administrators of the contract was putting the
county in a position where it could be ..... liable for a facility it does not
operate."
Williamson County, Texas spokeswoman Connie Watson on the county's move to end
its contract with CCA at the troubled T. Don Hutto Correctional Center. CBS
11TV, October 3, 2007
"Insurance companies still end up paying, but government officials still
find themselves spending time at depositions and trials. And the government is
still held accountable in the public eye. Privatization was supposed to wash the
stench of prisons off the government. But the stench is still there.''
New Mexico Attorney Mark Donnatlli on private prison liability. The New
Mexican, January 13, 2007
"You're not going to reduce lawsuits by changing the name over the door."
OSS Law Enforcement Advisors consultant David Salmon on privatization of
county jails. Sun Herald, August 21, 2006
"When government incarcerates someone, they have a responsibility to
ensure their safety"
Hernando County Florida Sheriff Richard Nugent on recent suicides at the
county's CCA jail. Hernando Today, January 25, 2006
"If a private company allows someone to get beat up or commit
suicide, I can guarantee you that the county would be named in that
lawsuit."
South Carolina Jail Administrators Association President Mark Fitzgibbons on
contracting away prison liability. Beaufort Gazette, November 12, 2005
"I get named in all the lawsuits at the jail. We already deal with
it to such a large extent that I think it's better we just have complete control
over it anyway, because we're the ones that have to answer for it. Private
companies aren't responsible to the public. We are."
Santa Fe County, New Mexico Sheriff Greg Solano on taking over jail
responsibility from Management and Training Corporation. Albuquerque Journal,
September 26, 2005.
"It's going to cost the state a lot of money in the long run."
Dr. Robert Cohen on state a federal lawsuits Delaware faces regardless of
Correctional Medical Services indemnification. Wilmington News Journal,
September 25, 2005.
"The
government still retains the responsibility for correctional services. The fact
that they outsource does not make them less responsible or less accountable.
They still have a contract to manage and they have oversight responsibility."
Mike LoBue, executive director of the Association of Private Correctional
Treatment Organizations. Yuma Sun, April 3, 2005
''While
I understand the sheriff's position, and understand the health department's
position, you just can't contract away the city's responsibility.''
Kelvin
Jones, executive director of the Metro Human Relations Commission (Nashville,
Tennessee) on PHS health care issues. Tennessean, March 6, 2005
"The sheriff, and not the
defendant Lee County, has the responsibility to operate the Lee County Jail, and
funding by the county does not affect this responsibility."
U.S. District Judge John E. Steele
(Ft. Myers, FL) on sheriff's liability in PHS death suit at the Lee County Jail.
Naples Daily News, January 29, 2004
"Privatized
approaches to operation do not relieve the county of responsibility for jail
operations."
Jail consultant Howard Geisler on privatizing county jail. ZWire,
September 8, 2004
"I don't care what you do, the sheriff is still liable. There's no
way you can get out of it."
Indiana Sheriff's Association executive director Mike Eslinger on lawsuits
under jail privatization. Courier-Journal, August 17, 2004
"The state had a contractual obligation to oversee the contract with
these folks. The fact that you contract something out doesn't mean you wash your
hands of responsibility"
Bart Lubow of the Annie E. Casey Foundation on Maryland's lack of oversight
at CSC's Hickey School. Baltimore Sun, May 27, 2004
MANAGEMENT
“It might be more realistic to empty the centre briefly, so that it can
be relaunched with a properly trained and reinvigorated staff, focused on plenty
of good-quality, purposeful activity, dynamic security, and an emphasis on
appropriate behaviour within clear boundaries.”
Anne Owers, UK Chief Inspector of Prisons, suggestion to close the jail after
finding a lack of control and order at
Group 4's Oakhill Secure Training Unit. The Times, March 17, 2008
“I think it was yesterday morning, I said, ‘By the way, you all did take
out your warrant didn’t you?’ And that’s what triggered them to go do it. They
should have done that right away. We would have done that, I think, right away.”
Davidson County Tennessee Sheriff Daron Hall on why it took CCA two days
before getting a warrant issues for an escapee from their Metro Davidson County
Detention Center. WSMV, February 20, 2008
"The rule appears to be at this point, you can't have a blanket policy.
You would think that prison officials would be aware of it and would be
careful."
David Rudovsky, a University of Pennsylvania law professor on an inmate being
strip-searched at GEO's George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania on
a misdemeanor charges. AP, January 31, 2008
"Evidently when she went through the metal detector, it didn't go off, or
she got it past the guard that searched her clothing items."
Kentucky state police detective Mike Goble after a CCA employee committed
suicide at the Otter Creek Correctional Facility. Honolulu Advertiser,
January 26, 2008
"A depressing picture has been painted of Rye Hill Prison, of the
availability of drugs within the prison and of low morale among inmates and
prison officers."
U.K. Judge Richard Bray on sentencing a Global Solutions guard to prison for
smuggling drugs into the Rye Hill Prison. BBC, December 11, 2007
"My hope is they are doing all that is necessary to determine what
happened and how it can be prevented from happening again."
John Reilly, who, as acting superintendent, oversees the GEO Group's
performance at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility on the recent firing of
GEO's troubled warden. Philadelphia Daily News,
December 1, 2007
"The issue here is a poor management climate, and it stems directly from
his deficiencies as a warden."
John Reilly, the acting superintendent and top Delaware County official
referring to GEO's George W. Hill Correctional Facility. Philadelphia Daily News,
November 29, 2007
“This is a jail, and it needs to be run like one. It shouldn’t have
happened; I don’t want it to ever happen again.”
Bay County, Florida Commissioner Mike Nelson on recent accidental release of
four inmates from CCA's Bay County Jail. News Herald, November
20, 2007
“That kind of carelessness is something we can’t have. I mean, they’re
running a jail.”
Bay County, Florida Commissioner Mike Nelson on recent accidental
release of four inmates from CCA's Bay County Jail. News Herald, November
14, 2007
"There was some evidence that violent incidents were not consistently
followed up or investigated, which led to prisoners stating that they, rather
than the staff, were in control of the units."
UK Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers on a report on Global Solutions Rye
Hill Prison. The Guardian, October 9, 2007
"The reasons ICE left may or not be found in documents or specific numbers.
It may simply be a feeling, which they have expressed."
Cornell spokesman Charles Seigel on why ICE pulled its detainees from the
Regional Correctional Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Albuquerque Tribune,
September 25, 2007
"We let our guard down. . . . We weren't complying."
John M. Hurley, a GEO vice president
on a report about contraband, drugs, etc. in their Lawrenceville
Correctional Facility in Virginia.
Times-Dispatch, September 12, 2007
"However, if we had operated RCC as we do our best facilities, no one would
have had any basis for criticism. But we didn't."
Cornell Chairman and CEO James Hyman
on Cornell's Regional Correctional Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Albuquerque Tribune, August 11, 2007
“They’re masters at telling you what you want to hear, and then when their
butts in the crack, they renege on it”
Hernando County, Florida Sheriff Richard Nugent on CCA's lack of
forthrightness regarding paying for inmate fingerprinting. Hernando Today,
March 27, 2007
"You expect a little better communication and a little better adherence to
the contract then what we're getting out of CCA"
Bay County Florida Commissioner George Gainer on CCA's hiring a new warden
without consulting with the county even though its required by the contract.
NEWS 13, February 6, 2007
"I think it's pretty universal."
Wyoming health services administrator Anne Cybulski-Sandlian on the bad press
Prison Health Services earned.
Star-Tribune, September 19, 2005
"Melbourne
Custody Centre is mismanaged through and through."
GEO correctional officer Bruna Moressi. Herald Sun
November 18, 2004
"Our capital is being wasted here,
and our company is being undermanaged. We are not going to let you guys destroy
this company. Your time at Cornell is limited."
Zachary George with Pirate Capital, a Connecticut hedge fund that owns 7.5
percent of Cornell's shares. Houston Chronicle, August 15, 2004
MISLEADING INFORMATION
"Instead of facing the issue head-on, there's all kinds of games and
machinations and denials."
John Reilly, who, as acting
superintendent, oversees the GEO Group's performance at the George W. Hill
Correctional Facility on the finding of a racist photograph of GEO's guard
union's president with a noose around her neck. Philadelphia Daily News,
December 1, 2007
"The supervisors have authorized me to take whatever action is necessary.
We have even talked about eminent domain proceedings."
Morris Township, Pennsylvania, Solicitor F. Cortez Bell on Cornell reneging
on its agreements with the township. Centre Daily Times, Janaury 15, 2007
"We feel that a change order from an existing contract does not ensure
the benefit of the 3 percent. The contract to build a new prison is not a change
order or an existing contract. The contractor owes us the 4.5 percent."
Eloy, Arizona City Manager Jim McFellin on CCA's attempt to avoid paying the
city higher taxes it agreed to. Casa Grande Dispatch, December 21, 2006
"They said they could help us on the second project if we gave them the
third project, but now that they got the contract for the third project, they
threw the second project back at us saying it is not their responsibility."
Willacy County, Texas District Attorney Juan Guerra on how the county was
sold private prisons. Killeen Daily Herald, November 13, 2006
"This was a serious mistake, and a boondoggle of
the nth degree. They sold it to us, and it didn't meet code."
Wisconsin Sen. Fred Risser on his states purchase of a Dominion prison in
Stanley, Wisconsin.
Journal-Sentinel, May 17, 2006
"We're not sure that we could get a clear title, because it's part
of a $715 million loan package, with 32 other CCA facilities. We got out-lawyered.
The contract is slanted toward CCA. Their lawyers wrote it in their best
interest and the state's lawyers didn't catch it. The lawyers for the state who
reviewed the original contract did a very poor job."
Montana State Senator Jim Shockley on CCA's contract for the Crossroads CC
in Shelby, Montana. Shelby Promoter, January 26, 2005
“I asked how many
times do you expect law enforcement will have to come out there (to
Southern Peaks), and he said ‘oh, once or twice a year.’ Well, they
filled that quota in the first couple hours.”
Fremont County, Colorado Sheriff Jim Beicker on Cornell's assurances
that the public would have little trouble from their Southern Peaks
Treatment Facility. Canyon Cafe, October 8, 2004
"They reviewed the profit-and-loss statements
for the two fiscal years between July 2000 and June 2002. But the information
provided by Cornell was not adequate to determine if the center was being
operated efficiently."
Valencia County, NM Manager Mike Trujillo. Albuquerque
Journal, September 22, 2004
"We as a county would like to see a stronger commitment on behalf of
Cornell - we evidently were mislead a little, too."
Aurora County Chairman Oscar Thompson on Cornell's attempt to get more money
for its State Training School in Plankinton, South Dakota. Daily Republic,
August 5, 2004
NEGLECT
"Now enters GEO with their paid lobbyists attempting to put a good face
on this," Mr. Whitmire said. "I'm saying the corporation should back
off. They've run a very poor facility that probably violates the youths'
civil rights. ... Kids were stepping in their own feces. The sheets were
such that a cat or dog wouldn't sleep on them."
Texas State Senator John Whitmire on conditions at GEO's Coke County
Juvenile Justice Center. Dallas Morning News, October 5, 2007
"This is certainly a situation that we want to understand how it
happened."
CMS spokesman Ken Fields trying to explain how a woman gave birth in
her Maryland detention center cell without medical support. The Capital,
December 1, 2005
"Something certainly went
wrong, the man died."
Palm Beach County, Florida Circuit
Judge Jeffrey Winikoff on Prison Health Services claiming it wasn't responsible
for the death of an inmate at the Palm Beach County Jail. Palm Beach Post,
September 16, 2005
''I don't see this is just a weird coincidence. I
see this is a pattern based on other information I'm seeing.''
Nashville attorney David Raybin on PHS' consistent medical problems at the Metro
Jail. Tennessean, February 1, 2005
"Hourly
prisoner checks were not conducted or documented and shift change counts were
not conducted or documented according to the state standards."
Oklahoma
Jail Inspection Division report on inmate death at CCA's jail in Tulsa. Tulsa
World, January 9, 2005
"In
correctional health care you treat the symptoms. For example if an inmate has an
abscessed tooth. We do not have to fix it, but we do have to treat the
symptoms"
Union County Sheriff Steve Leverton on Advanced Correctional Services
contract for the jail. News Examiner, December 31, 2004
"We're
treated differently. There's eye contact, the guards know your name, the food
and medical is better, and if you have a medical problem, they don't brush you
off."
Southern Nevada Women's
Correctional Center in North Las Vegas inmate LaTisha
Babb on the difference since Nevada took over the former CCA prison. Las
Vegas Review-Journal, November 8, 2004
"I had to intervene in may cases of men who were neglected."
Former nurse Theresa McAvinney on lack of care by CMS at the North State CF
in Newport, VT. WCAX Channel 3 News, July 29,
2004
OVERSIGHT
"No WDOC Policy, Procedure or Directive is in place that requires the
tracking and compliance of out of state incidents to ensure that these
incident (sic) are properly tracked for compliance."
Maj. William Moore of the Wyoming Department of Corrections in a report
about an inmate beating at CCA's Oklahoma North Fork Correctional
Facility. Casper Star-Tribune, February 19, 2008
“The Department of Corrections is not responsible for the collections.
The matter is ultimately an issue between OPM and CCA.”
DC DOC spokesperson Beverly Young on the city's lack of ability to collect
an estimated $7.5 million owed it by CCA because two agencies are
pointing fingers at each other.
Washington City Papers, February 15, 2008
"This contract has been running for over 10 years, and we were not
provided a single monitoring report."
National Commission on Correctional Health Care on lack of oversight by
the Michigan Department of Corrections over its contract with
Correctional Medical Services. Detroit News, January 23, 2008
"There has been little oversight of this program, and self-reporting has
allowed Wackenhut to operate without accountability and in relative
anonymity."
Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. calling for an audit of
Wackenhut Corp., claiming the company is doing a poor job despite its
nearly $1 million-a-year contract to provide security on county bus
routes. Journal Sentinel, December 19, 2007
"Even if you excuse the inexcusable – which is not knowing from the
beginning that this guy was a registered sex offender – there were
complaints that were filed that should have put them on notice long,
long before he was terminated."
Dallas lawyer Bob Crill over GEO's hiring a registered sex offender as a
guard at the Coke County Juvenile Justice Center. Dallas Morning News,
December 6, 2007
“I want to know exactly what happens to these officers and have got an
appointment to see G4. I want to know how prisons can operate
functionally if there are no records kept on officers disciplined. They
can then go and get a job elsewhere."
Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan on discrepancies in Group 4's
records regarding fired guards. Wales on Sunday, December
2, 2007
"It pains me to think of all the people who have been mistreated
there in the years since we first raised the issue. If the authorities
had listened to us, then all that suffering could have been avoided."
Former Melbourne Custody Center employee Ros
Atkinson on how her information on abuse was ignored by GEO Group and
others. The Herald Sun, November 24, 2007
"We told the company, we told the Ombudsman, we told Victoria Police, we
told members of Parliament, and others, but the situation didn't
improve."
Former Melbourne Custody Center employee Ros Atkinson on how her
information on abuse was ignored by GEO Group and others. The Herald
Sun, November 24, 2007
"The private prison contractor and the Government have a common interest
in burying the issues."
Hugh de Kretser, executive officer of the Federation of Community Legal
Centres on the difficulty in getting access to information a private
prisons and jails in Australia. The Age, November 24, 2007
"The MCC appears to operate with only limited oversight by both GEO and
Victoria Police and in my opinion the system in place to monitor
incidents is unsatisfactory."
Victorian Ombudsman George Brouwer on a beating of a detainee at
GEO's Melbourne Custody Center. The Age, November 22, 2007
“What concerns me is what else is going on out there that we don’t know
about.”
Bay County, Florida Commissioner Mike Nelson on recent
accidental release of four inmates from CCA's Bay County Jail. News Herald, November
20, 2007
“Managing prisoners out of state, quite frankly, is very, very difficult for
us.”
Colorado Department of Corrections Director Ari Zavaras on shipping inmates
to a CCA prison in Oklahoma. Daily Sentinel, October 15, 2007
"It was very simple that the monitors were not doing their job and there
was a human failure. Who's monitoring the monitors?"
Texas State Sen. John Whitmire on the lack of oversight of GEO's troubled Coke County Juvenile
Justice Center. KRIS TV, October 12, 2007
"I think it's outrageous. It just confirms what many of us suspected –
that there was too close a relationship between the TYC employees and
GEO employees."
Texas State Sen. John Whitmire on learning that the State had hired
former GEO employees to monitor at GEO's troubled Coke County Juvenile
Justice Center. Dallas Morning News, October 12, 2007
"They know how the NRC and licensee operate and feel no one wants to
really find out if anyone is sleeping, because they already know they
are."
Wackenhut (Group 4) whistleblower at the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station
on NRC ignoring allegations into sleeping guards. York Dispatch,
October 5, 2007
"What were they doing? That's what we're asking. I do imagine that we
will be seeing personnel actions taken as a result of this."
Texas Youth Commission spokesman Jim Hurley on the lack of oversight
by his monitors at the GEO Coke County Juvenile Justice Center.
Dallas Morning News, October 3, 2007
“Times have changed and we simply need to get in front on this issue.”
Idaho Department of Correction Director Brent Reinke after an inmate
suicide at Dickens revealed filthy living conditions and poorly trained
and unprofessional staff at the GEO prison in Texas. Idaho Stateman,
July 31, 2007
"On contracts in general, we're going to be stepping that up. We want to
take a firsthand look."
Idaho Department of Correction Director Brent Reinke on lack of oversight by
the state into GEO prisons in Texas. The Olympian,
July 26, 2007
“Apparently this company is not on top of things, and the state employees
[who ] are over this are not on top of things. No one is checking on
anybody, and this is what happened. It’s just terrible.”
Arkansas Senator Terry Smith on learning about Cornell's losing its
contract at the Alexander Youth Services Center. Arkansas
Democrat-Gazette, November 4, 2006
“Of course it's a problem if the private company is supposed to be
monitoring itself."
I.C.E. overseer John "Kip" Crowther on CCA's monitoring of itself.
CBS5, November 2, 2006
'I'm surprised because of
the way the last contract was handled and terminated and because they
were not the lowest bidder. My concern has always been making sure that
the state fulfilled its end of the contract by imposing the fines."
Florida Senator Dave Aronberg upon learning that the DOC had given a
contract back to Prison Health Services including an extra $250 million
after they pulled out because they weren't making enough money on the
first contract.
Tallahassee Democrat, October 24, 2006
"I am convinced that the
necessary leadership will never be in place until CMS is ousted."
Dr. Jerry Walden in a report to US
District Court in Michigan on the state of health care under
Correctional Medical Services. Detroit Free Press, August 21,
2006
"They didn't have any knowledge of that at all. He was speechless
at that point"
Hernando County Florida Sheriff Richard Nugent about CCA's
management not knowing about CCA's release of an inmate. St.
Petersburg Times,
January 30, 2006
"The corrections department pays the CCA to house inmates and
how they break that down is a question for CCA."
New Mexico Corrections Department's Tia Bland over their position in a
lawsuit over religious programming at CCA's New Mexico Women's Correctional
Facility. Cibola Beacon, November 22, 2005
"The
Private Prison Monitor Unit visits two if not three times a month to check on
the inmates and those inmates are allowed a grievance process"
Colorado DOC spokeswoman Alison Morgan about CCA's Tallahatchie, Mississippi
facility. Pueblo Chieftain, June 3, 2005
"In
the past we may not have scrutinized it as closely as we maybe ought to
have"
Kentucky Rep. Jesse Crenshaw chairman of the House corrections budget
subcommittee on the state's not fining CCA for contract violations. Courier-Journal,
October 30, 2004
"With private contracts, the key is oversight and monitoring. You
have to hold their feet to the fire."
Doug Sapp, former Kentucky corrections commissioner
after learning CCA prison had no inspectors prior to a recent riot. Courier
Journal, September 29, 2004
"The people in Kentucky were not always
responsive to the complaints raised by our inmates before the riot"
Vermont Corrections Commissioner Steven Gold told legislators after a riot
at CCA's Lee Adjustment Center. Times Argus, September 25, 2004
“I know for a fact that when they know we’re coming things
are really perfect.”
Dr. Laura Bedard, Florida Correctional Privatization Commissioner (CPC), on
dropping in on private prisons unannounced. CPC meeting, March 11, 2004
POLITICAL INFLUENCE
"Geo should be ashamed and anyone who's rallying behind Geo should also
hold their head in shame."
Texas Youth Commission Acting Executive Director Dimitria Pope on damage
control efforts by GEO supporters after horrid conditions at GEO's Coke County
Juvenile Justice Center came to light. San Antonio Express-News, October
5, 2007
"Now enters GEO with their
paid lobbyists attempting to put a good face on this," Mr. Whitmire said. "I'm
saying the corporation should back off. They've run a very poor facility that
probably violates the youths' civil rights. ... Kids were stepping in their own
feces. The sheets were such that a cat or dog wouldn't sleep on them."
Texas State Senator John Whitmire on conditions at GEO's Coke County
Juvenile Justice Center. Dallas Morning News, October 5, 2007
"Nobody in our department
has worked for this company in the last six or seven years. They've also worked
for PHS. They've also worked for about a dozen other companies. They go back and
forth between the companies and state service."
Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Richard Allen defending his
homeboys before legislative questioning about a CMS contract award. I don't
think realized what he said. Huntsville Times, September 6, 2007
"You give money strategically."
University of Kentucky political scientist
Donald Gross on corporations, like CCA, giving to the governor's mansion
restoration fund. Lexington Herald-Leader, October 25, 2005
"When these out of state interests pour
money into Wisconsin elections, they don't care about our state's well-being.
They are out to obtain benefits for themselves. It's time that Wisconsin
elections were cleaned up and stopping out of state contributions is one way to
start doing that."
Wisconsin Rep. Spencer Black on legislation to ban out-of-state political
contributions. WisPolitics.Com, October 17,
2005
"With CCA, you have to
look especially because of its political ties. Privatization is payback, it's
political patronage, let's face it, and that troubles me."
Kentucky Rep. Robin Webb on deal with CCA to house 400 female inmates.
Herald-Leader, July 12, 2005
"We see it as the civic responsibility
of a major corporation."
Louise Chickering on CCA's $50,000 donation to Tennessee Governor Mansion face
lift. Tennessean, July
4, 2005
"We
absolutely get no favors in return, and we expect no favors in return."
Louise Chickering on CCA's $100,000 gift to troubled US House Majority Leader
Tom DeLay's legal
defense fund. Star
Telegram, December 1, 2004
"These political foundations have become
methods for well-heeled corporate executives, lobbyists and others to purchase
influence and face time with top politicians, and without the limits or
disclosure required of campaign donations or lobbying."
Rick Cohen, executive director of the National Committee for Responsive
Philanthropy, on CCA's $100,000 gift to US
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's legal
defense fund. Star
Telegram, December 1, 2004
''We
are supportive, regardless of party lines, of those individuals that believe in
the private sector playing a role in delivering government services"
CCA spokeswoman Louise Chickering on why its political action
committee has given 96 percent of its money to Republicans so far this election
cycle. AP, October 25, 2004
"We support organizations that want to further
public-private partnerships and efficient government use of taxpayer money."
CCA spokeswoman Louise Chickering on contributing over $370,000 to political
groups in Tennessee. Chattanooga Times Free Press, October 13, 2004
"One thing I underestimated is the politics in this business"
GRW executive Gil Walker on political influence. Tennessean, June 4,
2004
"This is nothing but greed and politics winning over what's best for
the taxpayers."
Florida Correctional Privatization Commissioner Sam Block on the vendors
getting the CPC abolished because they were looking to re-bid their contracts. Tallahassee
Democrat, May 26, 2004
PROFITS
"I don't like doing business when we're being held hostage, and that's
exactly what this is."
Colorado Representative Buffie McFayden on
on CCA's demands for a 5 percent increase in payments from the state.
Pueblo Chieftain, February 6, 2008
"They're there to make a profit and they'll cut corners, and they'll cut back
on services and they'll many times look the other way when abuse is taking
place."
Texas State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa on privatized prisons at a legislative
hearing on GEO's troubled Coke County Justice Center. KRIS TV, October
12, 2007
"We dismissed the vendor for a failure to produce a profit."
Seal Beach , California police Chief Jeffrey Kirkpatrick, explaining that
the Cornell jail in the city's police station on Seal Beach Boulevard was losing
money. Orange County Register, June 28, 2007
'I'm surprised because of the
way the last contract was handled and terminated and because they were not the
lowest bidder. My concern has always been making sure that the state fulfilled
its end of the contract by imposing the fines."
Florida Senator Dave Aronberg upon learning that the DOC had given a
contract back to Prison Health Services including an extra $250 million after
they pulled out because they weren't making enough money on the first contract.
Tallahassee Democrat, October 24, 2006
"You're dealing with a private business here, and they are in it to
make money and answer to shareholders. Our mission is public safety, and the
ideologies don't always line up"
Oklahoma Corrections Director Justin Jones on Cornell's plan to evict state
inmates for higher paying federal inmates. The Oklahoman, October 12,
2006
"Any plan to artificially reduce
the county jail population will invoke CiviGenics rights to exercise a 30-day
termination provision."
CiviGenics' Chief Operating Officer
Peter Argeropulos on forcing Columbiana County to keep the jail filled.
Salem News, August 12, 2006
``They are all fine people, but their goal is to make money and that is
very different from the public sector goal''
Oklahoma Senator Cal Hobson on legislation allowing for-profits to house
maximum security inmates. KOTV April 8, 2006
"If
we really do catch more aliens and if we really do lock them up, then we really
do have an important source of growth for the private prison industry."
Andrew May, an analyst with Jefferies and Co. on need for more prison beds
due to the fight against terrorism. Reuters, December 17, 2004
"After
25 years of marketing bigger bombs to kill more people, it got to me"
MTC Chariman Robert Marquardt on getting out of Morton Thiokol and into the
private prison industry. Salt Lake Tribune, August 22, 2004
"It's just not workable for us...We're losing money."
Steve Owens, CCA spokesman on not renewing its contract for the Southern Nevada
Women's CF because of mounting financial loses. Review-Journal, February
25, 2004
"Indeed, because a private prison corporation’s first loyalty is to its stockholders, rather than the public interest, it is no surprise that cost-cutting measures jeopardizing prisoners’ rights are more likely in private facilities than in public ones."
US Supreme Court Justice Stevens writing in dissent in Correctional
Services Corporation vs. Malesko, 534 US 61 2001
PROGRAMS
"They failed to provide the services they
promised in the contract"
Danny Thompson, director of auxiliary services for the North Carolina
Division of Prisons on taking control of two prison back from CCA. Courier-Journal,
October 30, 2004
"You've got to address those before a guy can get a job, and a lot of
this stuff is busy work. How many people get out there and get a job tying horse
hair?"
Shelby Montana Mayor Larry Bonderud on CCA's inmate programs, Missoula News,
May 20, 2004
PRISON OVERCROWDING
"I would have never thought about prisoners as an import product, but
evidently a Tennessee company and a Tennessee community has found a niche that
works."
David Bohan, chief executive of BOHAN Advertising/Marketing on CCA's promo
video encouraging California inmates to ship out to Tennessee due to
overcrowding. Tennessean, March 6, 2007
"God bless the sheriff. God bless the judges. They are
bringing them in."
Cathy Sullivan, CCA's Hernando County Jail PIO, on jail overcrowding, St.
Petersburg Times, May 18, 2004
PUSHING LEGISLATION
"This is nothing but greed and politics winning out over what's best for the
taxpayers. DMS hasn't got a clue about operating prisons, but the vendors wanted the commission's demise just as soon as we said we were going to rebid the contracts."
Florida Correctional Privatization Commissioner Joel Block on vendors
getting his commission abolished because of threats of contract rebidding, Tallahassee
Democrat, May 26, 2004
"This is the time of year when the
various legislatures are in session. We invest significant time introducing
privatisation legislation and testifying for its adoption. This can be a
lengthy, involved process, but it is vital to our business to have empowering
statutes adopted. Once the statutes are implemented, a request for proposal
usually follows. This legislative process also affords us an opportunity to work
closely with elected officials and thereby understand what is important to them."
Charles R. Jones, Senior VP, Wackenhut,
1996 Annul Report as reported in Prison Privatisation Report International, No.
11 June 1997
RUNNING HOTELS
"The fact that CCA had the right to fill up any extra space with inmates
from other jurisdictions coupled with the governmental entities' paying based on
the number of inmates housed, makes these agreements look more like those
between 'hotels, motels, rooming houses, and other facilities' and 'lodgers or
occupants' than leases for real property."
New Mexico Appeals Court Judge Michael Bustamante on ruling against
CCA's request for a $2.5 million tax rebate. CNN Money, September 19,
2007
"It's not like running a hotel. I'm sorry. Your hotel guests rarely
riot."
Former CCA general counsel Richard Crane on the abrupt resignation of CCA's
Chief Operating Officer, James Seaton a former Marriott hotel executive. Tennessean,
August 11, 2004.
"As long as the industry continues to improve, which we think it will,
these companies will be thought of a hotel companies," he added.
"Because that's really what they do."
Don Hodges, president of Hodges Capital Management, on CCA and GEO, CNN/Money, April 22, 2004
RURAL COMMUNITIES
"All of these prisons are in small, rural communities. It's going to
have a tremendous economic impact."
CCA Warden Ralph Kemp on news that Georgia was considering closing one of
three private prisons in the state. Macon Telegraph, October 3, 2004
"I'm used to small towns. Most of CCA's facilities are in small towns,
anywhere from 800 to 1500 people."
CCA Shelby, Montana's Crossroad CC assistant warden Sam Law. Golden
Triangle News, September 8, 2004
SAFETY
"It's messed up."
CCA guard at the Crowley Correctional Facility about why the computer screen
showed the cell doors open when in fact they were closed to reporter Maria
Hinojosa. NOW, May 9, 2008
"I think you saw us [in] April at our worst."
Ernie Dixon, director of operations for The GEO Group, about the costs
a riot in 2007 at GEO's New Castle Correctional Facility is causing. The Star
Press, April 24, 2008
"It's indefensible, in my opinion, that we put kids in a facility that's
inadequate for adults."
Natrona Country, Wyoming Commissioner Matt Keating on a report that their
troubled juvenile facility had been deemed unsuitable for adults years before.
AP, April 19, 2008
"The inmate wasn't five minutes down the road by the time I hit the doors
to report it."
Woman told KENS 5 that she tried to warn GEO guards that Esequiel Pena had
broken out, but she says they didn’t listen. KENS 5 News, April 1,
2008
"It's a tragic lapse of judgment."
John Reilly, GEO's George W Hill prison's acting superintendent on one of their
guards being charged with having sex with a trustee. Philadelphia Daily News,
March 26, 2008
“It might be more realistic to empty the centre briefly, so that
it can be relaunched with a properly trained and reinvigorated staff, focused on
plenty of good-quality, purposeful activity, dynamic security, and an emphasis
on appropriate behaviour within clear boundaries.”
Anne Owers, UK Chief Inspector of Prisons, suggestion to close the jail after
finding a lack of control and order at
Group 4's Oakhill Secure Training Unit. The Times, March 17, 2008
"We need a formal way for him to be picked back up. And I would hate to
hear that when this thing settles down, we look back and he was pulled over in
Arkansas but there was no warrant, and therefore he was released.”
Davidson County Tennessee Sheriff Daron Hall on why it took CCA two
days before getting a warrant issues for an escapee from their Metro Davidson
County Detention Center. WSMV, February 20, 2008
"It is a matter of public safety. (Other states) are exporting their
worst criminals to Arizona, and we can't even know what they are doing and what
steps they are taking to protect Arizonans."
Dennis Burke, Arizona Governor Napolitano's chief of staff on legislation
to open private prisons in Arizona to public scrutiny. Arizona Republic,
February 1, 2008
"What I emphasized to them is what occurred is a security breach. Once I
got word of the suicide and how it occurred, my initial reaction was, how did a
gun get in there?"
Clayton Frank, director of the Hawai'i Department of Public Safety, after a CCA
employee committed suicide at the Otter Creek Correctional Facility. Honolulu
Advertiser, January 26, 2008
"As a result of two
or three things and my on-going concern about the jail, about staffing
and (personnel) training and other issues, we asked the county
commission to start looking into it prior to the uprising, which
highlighted the need for commissioners to review their contract with
Cornell Companies. I felt our office had to intervene."
New Mexico 12th Judicial District Attorney Scot Key on a Grand Jury
investigation into Cornell operations at the Lincoln County Detention
Center. Ruidoso News, January 25, 2008
"Custody officers claimed that staffing levels could at times be
dangerously low, especially in ‘A’ wing and at weekends. They said that two
members of staff had been assaulted over the past year, while there had also
been a large number of less serious incidents. We sensed generally that staff
seemed to be even more concerned about safety than they had been a year ago (and
being under complement could also have contributed to this). Examples were cited
where it was impossible to arrange relief cover for toilet breaks, meaning that
prisoners were left unsupervised, except by CCTV, during these periods."
Scotland Chief Prison Inspector Clive Fairweather on a recent report
on Premier's Kilmarnock Prison. Scotland on
Sunday, January 6, 2008
"It is of concern that witnesses spoke of a culture that involves staff
favouritism; the centre being dominated by a few staff; tolerance of abuse of
prisoners; and an environment where speaking out means job loss."
Victorian Ombudsman George Brouwer on a beating of a detainee at GEO's
Melbourne Custody Center. The Age, November 22, 2007
“That kind of carelessness is something we can’t have. I mean,
they’re running a jail.”
Bay County, Florida Commissioner Mike Nelson on recent accidental
release of four inmates from CCA's Bay County Jail. News Herald, November
14, 2007
"To me, it looked like one employee didn't do their job.”
Eldon McCumber, the Hinton (Oklahoma) Economic Development Authority's
chairman brushing off reports that Cornell's Great Plains Correctional Facility
had major security issues after two murderers escaped. The Oklahoman,
October 9, 2007
"When we saw what a terrible job they were doing at Coke County, TYC had
the ability to shut it down and move their youth."
Texas Sen. John Whitmire, chairman of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee,
cited the "terrible job" Geo Group Inc. did running the West Texas youth lockup
and said he plans to review adult corrections contracts the state has with the
company. Houston Chronicle, October 5, 2007
"We have serious doubts about their (Cornell's) ability to provide the
safe and humane environment we want for our detainees. That's the reason we are
not there."
Gary Mead, assistant director for detention and removal operations for ICE,
on why ICE removed their detainees from Cornell's Regional Correctional Center
in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Albuquerque Tribune, September 13,
2007
"It's a half-mile from the high school, so the type of prisoner they're
bringing in there concerns me."
Epps, Louisiana Mayor Jeff Guice on Emerald Correction's lack of
openness on its West Carroll Detention Center. Houston Chronicle,
July 22, 2007
"Considering the millions of dollars that we are spending on the
Mainland, we would expect to get excellent service, excellent facilities, and
... I would expect that with their experience, they should be able to minimize
any problems,"
Hawai'i Senate Public Safety Committee Chairman Will Espero upon learning
that CCA had another mistaken cell door opening leading to inmate beating.
Honolulu Advertiser, July 18, 2007
"Something's not right, and we need to make sure that we have an
understanding of what this problem is."
Virginia state Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle about problems with contraband at
GEO's Lawrenceville Correctional Center. Times Dispatch, May 23, 2007
"We believe we have reasonable grounds to believe the camp presents a
substantial danger to public health, safety and welfare"
Liz McDonough, a spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Health and Human
Services on closing CEC's
Alternative Youth Adventure after a 15 year-old died of a staph infection.
Denver Post, May 11, 2007
"They have been understaffed"
GEO guard's wife, Twilla Deaton on staffing issues after a riot at GEO's New
Castle CF. The Star Press, April 25, 2007
"There were serious security concerns"
Arizona Department of Corrections spokeswoman Katie Decker on concerns over
GEO's staffing levels at their New Castle CF in Indiana after a riot by over 500
inmates. The Indianapolis Star,
April 25, 2007
"Straight from the start I had expressed concern about the level of
support and training. I told senior management about it and they didn't do
anything."
Global Solutions Ltd Guard Daniel Daymond after a scathing report on an
inmate's suicide. The Guardian, April 3, 2007
"CCA is in the position that we don't make excuses for an escape because
there is none"
CCA's Hernando County Jail Warden Russell Washburn on why it took CCA four
hours to inform the local sheriff that an inmate had escaped from his jail.
St Petersburg Times, February 28, 2007
"You're dealing with a private business here, and they are in it
to make money and answer to shareholders. Our mission is public safety, and the
ideologies don't always line up"
Oklahoma Corrections Director Justin Jones on Cornell's plan to evict state
inmates for higher paying federal inmates. The Oklahoman, October 12,
2006
"Basically, anybody could have gotten to them."
LCS co-owner Richard Harbison about how easy it was to tamper with a
electrical fence control box (located in the ground, out in the open) at their
East Hidalgo Detention Center, TX where six inmates escaped. KRIS TV,
September 23, 2006
''The way we see it, there
is lack of security there right now. There are a lot of safety issues pertaining
to that"
Joe Magallan, a deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service
in Texas, on LCS' problems after an escape of six inmates from their East
Hidalgo Detention Center. Houston Chronicle, September 21, 2006
"Prisoners in private prisons are no less violent, they're
no less difficult. You are twice as likely to be attacked in a private prison as
in a public prison. "
UK Prison Officers Association national general secretary Brian Caton on the use
of batons in prison in the UK. 24
DASH, April 23, 2006
"Anytime
you put an inmate in transport vans you put them in a less secure environment."
CCA's Bay County Jail Warden Kevin Watson on recent escape of CCA inmate
from a TransCor van with faulty locks. News Herald, February 24, 2005
"When incidents of this nature
occur, they cause the courts, law enforcement and the public to question the
operation and security of the jail."
Hernando County
Purchasing Director James Gantt on CCA's escape troubles. Hernando Today,
December 22, 2004
"The way the jail is run, the
way it was run when I was there scares me, it doesn’t feel safe ever."
CCA guard James Hall about the Bay County Jail. News-Herald, December
9, 2004
"There's
no qualitative measure of what's safe."
Peter Mount, communications director at MTC's
Central North Correctional Centre
when asked by if the super jail is a safe place after three stabbings in 2004. Midland
Mirror, October 13, 2004
“They’re
not escaping, they are simply walking away from the facility."
Lisa Tauser, communications director
for Cornell after a recent spat of escapes from their Southern Peaks Treatment
Facility in Colorado. Canon Cafe,
October 8, 2004
"Everything I've worked to do here is going to
go right down the drain because of incidents like this."
MTC jail
Warden Kerry Dixon on an inmate rape at Santa Fe Jail.
Santa Fe New Mexican September 30, 2004
"Are we surprised that
something like this happened and we're involved in it? Yes we are. In the six or
seven years we've been doing business like this out of state it's the first time
this has happened."
Ray
Flum, director of inmate classification for the Vermont Department of
Corrections, on Vermont inmate's riot at CCA's Lee Adjustment Center in
Kentucky. AP, September 17, 2004
"Having six breakouts in the past eight years and only catching one
of the 15 that have escaped, that's pretty scary."
Pearsall Mayor Roland Segovia on CSC's Frio County Jail on recent
escape of five inmates. WOAI News 5, August 10, 2004
"It's absurd. How could you cut two holes through the fences and just
walk out? Don't they have people watching them?"
Pearsall, TX resident Judy Stacy who lives two blocks from CSC's Frio County
Jail on recent escape of five inmates. Express-News, August 8, 2004
"Why should the
public worry about them fighting on the inside."
Tutwiler, MS. Mayor Robert Grayson on gang-related violence at CCA's
Tallahatchie prison. Clarion Ledger, May 25, 2004
SALARIES
"There were not very many jobs out here. Any time you could take a state
job, it was a better job for everybody because it paid more money. That's the
only reason. It was like a step up from GEO. That's the way everybody viewed
it."
Patti Frazee, former Texas state monitor clerk at GEO's troubled Coke County
Juvenile Justice Center on why locals took jobs with the state after working for
GEO. Dallas Morning News, October 12, 2007
"We cash (the guard's) paychecks, and I can tell you they make about $6
an hour — or about what we pay our clerks."
Epps, Louisiana Crystal Hale, 33, who runs the Best Way market on Emerald
Correction's pay at its West Carroll Detention Center. Houston Chronicle,
July 22, 2007
"The guards make $18,000 a year and the inmates are walking around
with a thousand dollars in cash on them"
Former GEO Group inmate David Eugene Davis about his experience at GEO's
Lawrenceville Correctional Facility in Virginia where over half the states
illegal drugs are found. Richmond Times-Dispatch, March 18, 2007
"The
few privatized jails I've seen have a tendency to pay minimum wage or slightly
above, so you're going to have a problem with staff turnover."
American Jails managing editor Ken Kerle on pay and turnover at for-profits.
Beaufort Gazette, November 12, 2005
"It is a challenge in trying to make salaries competitive
with what is paid by the state."
CCA spokesman Steve Owen on competing with Colorado DOC pay and benefits. Rocky
Mountain News, November 12, 2005
"But it's not necessarily going to be at the
salary and benefits that they have now."
Beaver County, Pennsylvania Controller
Rick Towcimak on CiviGenics taking over their jail. Beaver County Times,
September 8, 2005
"I don't care who you work for, if you pay your people $6,000 more,
you're going to get more people working that you want working for you and fewer
that you don't. That's just a fact."
Florida Juvenile Justice Association lobbyist Mark Fontaine on why public
facilities have less staff turnover than private ones. Palm Beach Post, December
5, 2004
"Originally, we thought people were going to start at $14 or $15 an
hour, and instead they started at $8 or $9."
Brenda Loncake, Shelby, MT realtor about CCA pay, Missoula News, May 20,
2004
SECRECY
"It is a matter of public safety. (Other states) are exporting their
worst criminals to Arizona, and we can't even know what they are doing and what
steps they are taking to protect Arizonans."
Dennis Burke, Arizona Governor Napolitano's chief of staff on legislation
to open private prisons in Arizona to public scrutiny. Arizona Republic,
February 1, 2008
"This a private settlement among private parties, and I'm obliged not to
disclose the dollar amount."
Honolulu lawyer Myles Breiner on a settlement with GRW and two Hawai'i inmates
who were sexually assaulted at the Brush Correctional Facility in Colorado.
Honolulu Advertiser, January 8, 2008
"The private prison contractor and the Government have a common interest
in burying the issues."
Hugh de Kretser, executive officer of the Federation of Community Legal
Centres on the difficulty in getting access to information a private prisons and
jails in Australia. The Age, November 24, 2007
"It is of concern that witnesses spoke of a culture that involves staff
favouritism; the centre being dominated by a few staff; tolerance of abuse of
prisoners; and an environment where speaking out means job loss."
Victorian Ombudsman George Brouwer on a beating of a detainee at GEO's
Melbourne Custody Center. The Age, November 22, 2007
"What I'm really upset about is there was a seven hour delay before
anyone at our place was ever notified, and what concerns me even more is what
else is going on our there that we don't even know about?"
Mike Nelson, Bay County , Florida Commissioner, on release of 9 inmates from
CCA's Bay County Jail. WJHG, November 20, 2007
''We have very comprehensive and detailed standards which we meet with
our public partners in terms of information that is provided to them.''
CCA spokeswoman Louise Grant on why CCA opposes H.R. 1889 that would require
private prison vendors under contract with the Federal Government to comply with
FIOA requests.
The Morning Call, November 11, 2007
"There is a greater sense of fear and intimidation in this facility than
perhaps any other I have been to."
Texas Youth Commission Ombudsman Will Harrell in his report on conditions at
GEO's Coke County Juvenile Justice Center. Dallas Morning News, October
3, 2007
"We're trying to get on top of the situation."
Epps, Louisiana Mayor Jeff Guice on Emerald Correction's lack of
openness on its West Carroll Detention Center. Houston Chronicle,
July 22, 2007
"I want to make sure that what they're giving us is true and accurate. "I
want something to go directly to corporate office up there that says you guys
have got to be candid when we ask questions."
Hawai'i Department of Public Safety interim director Clayton Frank on CCA's
continuing trouble with door locks at their Red Rock Correctional Facility in
Arizona. Honolulu Advertiser, July 22, 2007
"Right now, I have some serious
concerns and doubt of whether they are providing us with everything."
Hawai'i Department of Public Safety interim director Clayton Frank
on CCA's continuing trouble with door locks at their Red Rock
Correctional Facility in Arizona. Honolulu Advertiser, July 22,
2007
“It’s kind of unusual for me to sit up here and vote for something I
haven’t seen and the city attorney hasn’t read over.”
Adams County, Mississippi Alderman Alderman James “Ricky” Gray after being
asked to vote on an interlocal agreement for CCA that he had not seen.
Natchez Democrat, June 12, 2007
"Private, confidential, or otherwise protected material."
Prison Health Services' attorney on Guilford County, North Carolina, sheriff
BJ Barnes request for information for his own contract with the vendor. News
& Records, June 5, 2007
“Then they all of a sudden cancelled the visit that had been approved for
the Hutto detention center and the New Jersey detention center."
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants Jorge
Bustamante on being denied access to CCA's T. Don Hutto Correctional Center.
San Antonio Current,
May 23, 2007
“It was the first time I’d heard we were actually going to have to
put up money”
Adams County, MS Supervisor Henry Watts on CCA's not being upfront with all
the costs for their prison proposal. Natchez Democrat, May 3, 2007
"We filed our report two weeks ago. When something is put on the agenda is not
our business."
CCA's Hernando County (FL) Jail warden Don Stewart on why CCA did not report
an accidental release of an inmate to the county commission. Hernando Today,
July 28, 2006
"We received a report that talked about our inmates having a
disturbance. There was nothing in there to make us think anything was wrong."
Idaho Department of Corrections operations
administrator Pam Sonnen on GEO's lack of candor over an incident at its Newton,
Texas facility. Idaho Statesman, June 9, 2006
"There's some sort of chink in the communications
there."
Hawai'i Department of Public Safety spokesman Michael Gaede on why they
found out about an inmate's death at CCA's Otter Creek, KY prison through the
family and not CCA. Honolulu Advertiser, January 4, 2006
"However, we are not able to confirm amounts or any details
on payments or deductions regarding the bonuses as these matters are commercial
in confidence."
Queensland Corrective Services Minister spokeswoman Judy Spence on
confirming GEO Group's contract compliance. Australian, November 30,
2005
“The
first I heard of this was in the newspaper. What upsets me and others is the
fact that they held several meetings for the Charlotte residents, but were just
trying to fly this over on us”
Dickson County resident Jimmy Stokes over plans by CCA to build a new jail for
the county. Dickson Herald, December 30, 2004
"Most
of the staff I had discussions with were concerned about being identified if
they shared issues or concerns with me."
Bay County jail contract monitor Roger Hagen on CCA's correctional code of
secrecy. News Herald, December 29, 2004
"My
view is that public authorities must resist any suggestion from tenderers that
the price of best value is to agree to withhold information which otherwise
under freedom of information may be made available."
Scottish Information Commissioner Kevin Dunion on the public's access to
secret contract agreements with security company Reliance. BBC, November
24, 2004
"I don’t know who in the world they’ve
been talking to, but they haven’t been talking to me."
Roger Hagen, Bay County’s correctional program manager on CCA's claim it was
sharing with county officials an "after-action" report about an inmate
takeover at CCA's Bay County Jail. News Herald, November
9, 2004
"I
was very concerned that we were not notified by Cornell that these people were
even missing."
Florence, Colorado Police Chief Mike Ingle on
Cornell's not notifying local law enforcement after an escape at its Southern
Peaks facility in Colorado. Daily Record, October 7, 2004
"This
incident made us aware that our policy for contacting local law enforcement
needed to be changed."
Cornell Director of Communication Lisa Tauser on Cornell's not notifying
local law enforcement after an escape at its Southern Peaks facility in
Colorado. Daily Record, October 6, 2004
"There's a lot of things that go into negotiations with private
prisons that we don't know about and there is a lot that they do that help
Colorado."
Colorado State Senator Ken Kester on his lack of expertise on CCA contracts.
Pueblo Chieftain, July 28, 2004
STAFFING
“It might be more realistic to empty the centre briefly, so that it
can be relaunched with a properly trained and reinvigorated staff, focused on
plenty of good-quality, purposeful activity, dynamic security, and an emphasis
on appropriate behaviour within clear boundaries.”
Anne Owers, UK Chief Inspector of Prisons, suggestion to close the jail after
finding a lack of control and order at
Group 4's Oakhill Secure Training Unit. The Times, March 17, 2008
"Moreover, there has been consistent turnover at staff-level positions, and,
at [Young Correctional Institution] in particular, there is a problem with staff
insubordination that needs to be addressed because it affects inmate medical and
mental health services negatively."
Delaware independent monitor Joshua W. Martin III in a 229-page report on
Correctional Medical Services health care in this state. News Journal,
February 1, 2008
"Last week, our office began training all jail staff and Cornell agreed to
strategic planning to provide more training to hire more and more qualified
people from a larger geographic area."
New Mexico 12th Judicial District Attorney Scot Key on a Grand Jury
investigation into Cornell operations at the Lincoln County Detention Center.
Ruidoso News, January 25, 2008
"We were told that CMS can unilaterally choose to reduce provider staffing
from five days a week to two days a week, if it has trouble recruiting, and that
CMS is not subject to any penalty or disincentive."
National Commission on Correctional Health Care on lack of oversight by the
Michigan Department of Corrections over its contract with Correctional Medical
Services. Detroit News, January 23, 2008
"Custody officers claimed that staffing levels could at times be dangerously
low, especially in ‘A’ wing and at weekends. They said that two members of staff
had been assaulted over the past year, while there had also been a large number
of less serious incidents. We sensed generally that staff seemed to be even more
concerned about safety than they had been a year ago (and being under complement
could also have contributed to this). Examples were cited where it was
impossible to arrange relief cover for toilet breaks, meaning that prisoners
were left unsupervised, except by CCTV, during these periods."
Scotland Chief Prison Inspector
Clive Fairweather on a recent report on Premier's Kilmarnock Prison.
Scotland on Sunday, January 6, 2008
"Your body is not designed to work 12 hours a day. The schedule is brutal. It's
a killer."
Former Wackenhut (Group 4) guard Robert Hall on his work schedule at the
Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station. AP, December 4, 2007
"You wonder where the hell were the detention officers in all of this."
MTC inmate attorney Gary Mitchell on the lack of staffing at the Santa Fe
County Detention Center at the time his client killed another inmate. New
Mexican, November 19, 2007
"I was working five, six days a week, 12-hour days, overtime. "It's hard
to get people to go into that line of work."
Former Coke County, Texas guard John Christman on GEO's trouble with
staffing. Dallas Morning News, July 29, 2007
"They have been understaffed"
GEO guard's wife, Twilla Deaton on staffing issues after a riot at GEO's New
Castle CF. The Star Press, April 25, 2007
"There were serious security concerns"
Arizona Department of Corrections spokeswoman Katie Decker on concerns over
GEO's staffing levels at their New Castle CF in Indiana after a riot by over 500
inmates.
The Indianapolis Star,
April 25, 2007
"There's just not enough
personnel. More security officers and more detention officers, should be placed
there"
Joe Magallan, a deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service
in Texas, on LCS' problems after an escape of six inmates from their East
Hidalgo Detention Center. Houston Chronicle, September 21, 2006
"The
few privatized jails I've seen have a tendency to pay minimum wage or slightly
above, so you're going to have a problem with staff turnover."
American Jails managing editor Ken Kerle on pay and turnover at for-profits.
Beaufort Gazette, November 12, 2005
"Staffing is hard to come by"
MTC's Santa Fe County Detention Facility Warden Kerry Dixon on trouble keeping
medical staff. Tennessean, September 12, 2005
"We don't hire questionable
people, and that's the embarrassing part"
GRW President Gil Walker on his company hiring guards with criminal records
at their at their Brush Correctional Facility in Colorado. Rocky Mountain
News, March 23, 2005
"Until there's more staff, there's not going to be a drastic
improvement"
Former PHS administrator Stephanie Lawson on turnover at the Donaldson
Correctional Facility in Jefferson County, Alabama. Birmingham News,
March 18, 2005
"We knew the prison was
full of thieves but we thought they were behind bars"
An insider at Premier's Kilmarnock jail after a staff member was
caught on camera stealing inmates candy. Sunday Mail, October 3, 2004
“We’re working 12 to 16 hour shifts and we’re tired. No one get raises
because we’ve burned up all the overtime because the program director didn’t
hire anybody for three or four months in a row.”
CiviGenics employee David
Lucero on staff burnout. Ruidoso News, August 26, 2004
"We're
going to have to attract more workers, more than we did before . "Part of
the workforce is going to have to move here."
Toole County Commissioner Allan Underdal acknowledging the difficulty in
finding qualified guards for expanding CCA's Crossroads prison. Great Falls
Tribune, August 20, 2004
"This guy tells me, 'I'm doing a 480-year sentence and I'm 20 years in.
A lot of these guys (guards) were bagging groceries last week. Who do you think
is going to be better at what they do: me at being a prisoner or them at being a
guard?"
Former New Mexico DOC Secretary Rob Perry on why he he wouldn't allow
maximum security inmates at private prisons. Albuquerque Tribune, July
26, 2004
"At the end of the day, we were beset
with some difficulties in attracting and training qualified staff."
Paul Doucette, Cornell VP of Business Development and Public Affairs, on not
being able to maintain staffing at their New Morgan Academy in Pennsylvania. Daily
Republic, September 4, 2003
TRAINING
"It was around the availability of personnel. The training of personnel.
The certification. Licensing of personnel. Nothing deliberate. It was just a
matter of logistics and timing. "
St. Louis, Missouri MetroLink transit agency President Robert Baer on why
Wackenhut (Group 4) lost its contract. St Louis Post -Dispatch, April 26,
2008
“It might be more realistic to empty the centre briefly, so that
it can be re-launched with a properly trained and reinvigorated staff, focused on
plenty of good-quality, purposeful activity, dynamic security, and an emphasis
on appropriate behaviour within clear boundaries.”
Anne Owers, UK Chief Inspector of Prisons, suggestion to close the jail after
finding a lack of control and order at
Group 4's Oakhill Secure Training Unit. The Times, March 17, 2008
“Staff don’t like the way they are treated by management. They feel there
is a lack of training. Some don’t want to be there. They are trained for half a
day, once a week. They don’t feel they’re learning anything. It’s about time the
Assembly looked at what was going on."
Former Group 4 warden on lack of training at Group 4's Parc Prison.
Wales on Sunday, December 2, 2007
"I assume they have some training, but I don't know."
Epps, Louisiana Police Chief Roosevelt Porter on Emerald Correction's
lack of openness on its West Carroll Detention Center. Houston
Chronicle, July 22, 2007
"Straight from the start I had expressed concern about the level of
support and training. I told senior management about it and they didn't do
anything."
Global Solutions Ltd Guard Daniel Daymond after a scathing report on an
inmate's suicide. The Guardian, April 3, 2007
"None
of the staff have training with psych patients and the centre is not properly
equipped to deal with these people"
GEO correctional officer Bruna
Moressi about the Melbourne Custody Centre, Australia. Herald
Sun November 18, 2004
"Nobody trained me."
Registered nurse Deb Moore on CMS at the North State CF
in Newport, VT. WCAX Channel 3 News, July 29,
2004
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