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| Tennessee firm offers to take inmates |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 03/08/2004 |
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A private prison company from Tennessee has told the Connecticut Department of Correction it plans to bid on housing up to 2,500 prisoners in its facilities. Connecticut must find a place to put 500 prisoners by October, after Virginia officials canceled a contract to house the state's inmates two weeks ago. Nashville, Tenn.-based Corrections Corporation of America has submitted a letter of intent to Connecticut, said company spokesman Steve Owen. He would not reveal any proposed details. "We certainly are interested and will be submitting a proposal," Owen said. The state Department of Correction confirmed it received letters of intent but would not say which providers had expressed interest. Private providers and states have until May 3 to submit proposals. Corrections Corporation of America is the nation's largest private prison operator, holding 55,000 inmates in 64 facilities in 20 states. Company officials said last year their Youngstown, Ohio, facility would be ideal for Connecticut inmates, but Owen said Friday they could be placed in any of the company's 6,800 available beds. The company also has hired a former a former chief of staff to Gov. John G. Rowland, David O'Leary, to lobby for the company in Connecticut. Rowland is enmeshed in a federal investigation into possible bid-rigging in the administration, and a House committee is considering whether to recommend impeachment. Connecticut had been looking for a private or other state provider since the legislature last year authorized out-of-state placements for 2,500 prisoners. Virginia has said it will not accept Connecticut prisoners past Oct. 22, but it will be flexible in allowing Connecticut to get its inmates out of the state. Marc Ryan, Rowland's budget chief, said the state would not discuss anything with providers until after the closing date for the proposals. He also said the state was not leaning toward any particular provider, and was considering entering into multiple contracts. |
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