CCA Announces New Management Contract with ICE for North Georgia Detention Center
Nashville, Tenn., March 9, 2009 – Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), the nation’s largest provider of corrections management services to state, federal and local government, today announced a new contract to manage detainee populations for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) at the North Georgia Detention Center in Hall County, Georgia with a total design capacity of 502 beds.
Under a five-year Inter-Governmental Service Agreement between Hall County, Georgia and ICE, CCA will house up to 500 ICE detainees at the facility. The Company will lease the former Hall County Jail from Hall County, Georgia. The lease has an initial term of 20 years with two five-year renewal options and provides CCA the ability to cancel the lease if it does not have a management contract. The Company currently anticipates opening the facility during the second quarter of 2009 and expects the facility to be substantially occupied by the end of 2009.
“We are proud to expand our partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” said John Ferguson, CCA’s Chief Executive Officer. “The North Georgia Detention Facility will serve ICE’s need for detention capacity as part of the government’s strategy to deter illegal immigration and protect public safety.” CCA currently partners with ICE to manage detainees at twelve CCA facilities.
CCA will employ approximately 160 correctional professionals in security, facility management, accounting, health services, human resources, business management, quality assurance and education. Bilingual candidates and other qualified professionals are especially encouraged to apply at one of CCA’s upcoming career fairs. Interested applicants can visit www.ccajob.com for more information and to apply online.
“Located in the growing community of Gainesville, Georgia, CCA will offer employees competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical and life insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, paid time off and paid career training,” said Doug Swope, CCA senior director, Human Resources (Business Unit III). “Employees will be joining an established, proven national company and will have opportunities for professional advancement.”
The North Georgia Detention Center will operate under the leadership of veteran correctional professionals, warden Stacey Stone (formerly with CCA’s McRae Correctional Facility in McRae, Georgia) and assistant warden Charlie Peterson (formerly with CCA’s Stewart Detention Center).
“I am proud to now call Gainesville my home,” said Stone. “We are eager to hire the best and brightest candidates to work in our detention center, and we look forward to becoming an active, strong part of this community.”
Employees of CCA facilities routinely volunteer time and resources to benefit local organizations and community activities. The company’s Community Relations Committees, comprised of facility officials and local civic, business and elected leaders, meet regularly to keep the public informed about facility developments.
“Our Community Relations Committees carry on our commitment to being a responsible corporate neighbor. We share information on programming, job opportunities and departmental activities with those who are instrumental to our success – residents of the communities in which we operate,” said Louise Grant, CCA Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “As operations get under way at North Georgia Detention Center, you will soon see CCA employees volunteering at local events and engaging area nonprofit organizations.” For more information on CCA in local communities, see www.ccacommunities.com.
About CCA CCA is the nation’s largest owner and operator of privatized correctional and detention facilities and one of the largest prison operators in the United States, behind only the federal government and three states. CCA currently operates 63 facilities, including 44 company-owned facilities, with a total design capacity of approximately 85,000 beds in 19 states and the District of Columbia. CCA specializes in owning, operating and managing prisons and other correctional facilities and providing inmate residential and prisoner transportation services for governmental agencies. In addition to providing the fundamental residential services relating to inmates, our facilities offer a variety of rehabilitation and educational programs, including basic education, religious services, life skills and employment training and substance abuse treatment. These services are intended to reduce recidivism and to prepare inmates for their successful re-entry into society upon their release. CCA also provides health care (including medical, dental and psychiatric services), food services and work and recreational programs. To learn more about CCA, visit www.correctionscorp.com.