“As long as we continue down this path of privatization, we’re going to continue to see these types of problems come up because, again, the private prison companies’ main motivation is making the most money out of these prisoners,” Brickner says. “Providing medical care and providing more training for their staff eats away at their profit.”

A State Audit in September revealed 47 violations at the prison. Prison officials fixed 38 of those, according to a November follow-up audit.

Steve Owen of Correction Corporation of America says the ACLU is playing politics.

Listen to Owen.

Other options:

Windows Media / MP3 Download

(0:15)

“The simple truth is CCA provides safe, affordable and dependable to governments that face the very real and practical challenges of growing inmate populations, overcrowding, higher recidivism rates and increasing budget pressures,” Owen says.      

Owen also says the company has worked hard with auditors and is pleased with the improvements it has made between the September and November audits.