Anger Erupts at Conditions in For-Profit Indiana Prison

[Joanne98]

May 11, 2007
http://www.counterpunch.org/colson05112007.html
There's a Riot Going On
Anger Erupts at Conditions in For-Profit Indiana Prison
By NICOLE COLSON

THE CONSEQUENCES of the for-profit prison industry became all too clear in Indiana last week when a riot broke out among prisoners at the medium-security New Castle Correctional Facility.

According to corrections officials, the outburst began when prisoners recently transferred from Arizona reportedly became "defiant" as they were being moved from a dining hall to their cells. Many of the Arizona inmates began removing their shirts as a symbol of protest, and a guard was allegedly knocked or pushed to the ground.

The protest then spread to include an estimated 500 of the prison's 1,668 inmates, according to officials--with prisoners reportedly breaking windows and setting fire to supposedly flame-retardant mattresses in exercise yards.

The riot ended approximately two hours later when guards used concussion grenades and tear gas to re-impose control. In all, at least seven prisoners and two guards suffered minor injuries.

The state has since transferred more than 200 of the estimated 600 Arizona inmates housed at the facility and canceled plans to bring in hundreds more Arizona prisoners.

Although the New Castle Correctional Facility is owned by the state, Indiana contracts with the private prison company GEO Group of Florida to operate it. In 2005, GEO Group landed a $53 million contract with the state to run the prison for four years, with an option for three two-year extensions. In March 2006, the company received an additional $6.1 million contract to house 1,260 convicts from Arizona. In all, Arizona pays Indiana $64 per inmate per day to house the prisoners.

Because of severe overcrowding in its prisons, Arizona also sends some inmates to Oklahoma. And last year, the state sent more than 1,500 of its inmates to Texas, until that deal was canceled
http://www.counterpunch.org/colson05112007.html

[Joanne98]

1. Private Corrections Institute

http://www.privateci.org/

they are fighting the for-profits

[Joanne98]

2. Middle Ground Prison Reform

http://www.middlegroundprisonreform.org/main/default.asp