We already knew from CCA’s 2010 report to the SEC and from CCA’s own video disparaging community opposition that community opposition can affect CCAs ability to site a prison. They said it yet another way back in 2009.

In the 17 August 2009 press release about Damon Hininger being appointed CEO:

This press release contains statements as to the Company’s beliefs and expectations of the outcome of future events that are forward-looking statements as defined within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties associated with: (i) fluctuations in the Company’s operating results because of, among other things, changes in occupancy levels, competition, increases in cost of operations, fluctuations in interest rates and risks of operations; (ii) changes

the risks and uncertainties associated with: … the public acceptance of the Company’s services, the timing of the opening of and demand for new prison facilities and the commencement of new management contracts; (iii) the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain correctional facility management contracts….

in the privatization of the corrections and detention industry, the public acceptance of the Company’s services, the timing of the opening of and demand for new prison facilities and the commencement of new management contracts; (iii) the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain correctional facility management contracts, including as a result of sufficient governmental appropriations and as a result of inmate disturbances; (iv) increases in costs to construct or expand correctional facilities that exceed original estimates, or the inability to complete such projects on schedule as a result of various factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, such as weather, labor conditions and material shortages, resulting in increased construction costs; and (v) general economic and market conditions. Other factors that could cause operating and financial results to differ are described in the filings made from time to time by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

So maybe we should drum up some community opposition to the private prison the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority (VLCIA) wants CCA to build in Lowndes County, Georgia. What ideas do you have to go beyond the petition?

-jsq