Detainee Petitions Ohio Correctional Institution Inspection Committee to End Corrections Corporation of America's Overcrowded Conditions

Corrections Corporation of America (ticker CXW), a publicly traded corporation, has began a policy of triple bunking and overcrowding to reduce expenses. However, Keith Maydak petitioned the Ohio Correctional Institution Inspection Committee to end the unnecessary overcrowding. "It's a shame that a large company has chosen to squeeze people into a tiny area solely to advance their greedy profit oriented goals," Maydak said.

The letter to the CIIC follows:

Keith Maydak, 04904-068
2240 Hubbard Road
Youngstown, OH 44505-3198

May 3, 2005

Correctional Institution Inspection Committee
Riffe Center, 8th Floor
77 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
via facsimile 614.466.6929

In re: Corrections Corp. of America – Northeast Ohio Correctional Center

To the Committee:

Pursuant to §103.73 of the Ohio Revised Code, I am requesting that your office conduct an inspection of the overcrowded conditions at the Corrections Corporation of America’s Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in Youngstown, Ohio. All administrative remedies regarding this situation were exhausted.

Notwithstanding CCA’s designation of the facility as double-celled, the for-profit enterprise is placing three men in most rooms on the bottom level. The third person is lodged on the floor next to the toilet and sink. The occupants of the cell barely have any room to move, and it is extremely difficult to use the toilet facilities with an inmate sitting or laying next to it. The overcrowded conditions make sanitation difficult. Furthermore, the inmate sleeping on the floor is extremely cold because of inadequate heating in the facility. Inmates are housed in this condition for approximately 15 hours per day.

In addition to being overcrowding in the cell, CCA’s actions created an extremely overcrowded living area, especially during meal times. The inmates are cramped and not enough seats are available. The cramped common areas make it impossible to watch television or concentrate during letter writing and drafting of legal pleadings. This, of course, resulted in a high stress level and increased altercations.

The overcrowding did not come out of necessity. Rather, CCA appears to be attempting to minimize expenses by understaffing the Institution. Indeed, many dormitories are presently empty and could house the excess inmates. The fact that CCA’s choice to exceed the occupancy limits in the housing units originates in a desire to make a profit demonstrates its inability to understand its obligations in this area.

As such, I trust your office will review the inappropriate overcrowding at the CCA Northeast Ohio Correctional Center.

Respectfully submitted,

Keith Maydak