What To Know About Private Prison Expansion In Eloy
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The Department of Correction is Tuesday beginning to move medium security prisoners from state facilities to the privately run Red Rocks Correctional Center in Eloy. KJZZ's Jimmy Jenkins breaks down the details on The Show.
Why the move?
"The state is running out of room."
Arizona prisons are crowded and there aren't plans to build a new state prison anytime soon.
Who owns Red Rocks Correctional Center?
The Corrections Corporations of America, which also owns the Eloy Detention Center.
How much does it cost?
Arizona pays CCA $66 per inmate, per day for inmates being transferred.
Does this save Arizona money?
"That's a contentious issue," Jenkins said. The last available study showed daily cost, not including healthcare, is cheaper at private prisons. If medical cost is included, state-run facilities are cheaper. More recent studies are no longer provided by the Department of Corrections.
