Private prison company Corrections Corporation of America has long been accused of caging incarcerated people like animals for a profit. Now the private prison giant — founded on the simple principle that
— is looking to branch into a new market — building an animal shelter for a Florida county.
Citrus County and Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) are considering a partnership to build a new animal shelter. The county says there is a definite need for the new facility.
Citrus County Spokesperson, Tobey Phillips, says, "Space issues-- we have-- we need new runs for the animals, we have kennels that are being doubled up, it's just this facility has been here for a while and we've made it work, but we need a new facility."
The CCA's proposal says the company will handle the logistics and building the facility, but the county has to foot the $2.8 million bill.
Phillips says, "The county pays CCA a per diem rate per inmate. So CCA's proposal is to increase that per diem rate to cover financing."
The proposal suggests upping that per diem rate by $5.25, meaning each inmate could now cost the county just over $74 per month. If the new facility is build it will be on county property right next door to the jail. The CCA and the county agree this could be a benefit because inmates could help with the upkeep. [node:read-more:link]