Judge warns CCA witness of criminal investigation
Published 1:07 pm Wednesday, August 7, 2013
BOISE, Idaho — A federal judge is warning witnesses in Correction Corporation of America’s contempt of court hearing to be careful about what they say on the stand.
U.S. District Judge David Carter cautioned witnesses Wednesday against saying anything that could incriminate themselves in a separate criminal investigation of alleged contract fraud by CCA.
Carter noted that the Idaho State Police is investigating the same issues at the heart of Wednesday’s hearing: Claims by inmates that the private prison company understaffed the prison in violation of a $29 million state contract and a settlement reached in a lawsuit.
The inmates and the ACLU of Idaho sued in 2010, contending the CCA-run prison was so violent that prisoners call it “Gladiator School.” CCA denied the allegations, but reached a deal requiring widespread changes.
