May 5, 1999

60 Minutes - Letter Bag Segment
CBS News - Don Hewitt, Executive Producer
555 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019

Dear Mr. Don Hewitt:

Although your segment last Sunday on CCA's for-profit prison in Ohio finally brought to light all the problems with private correctional facilities, the most important issue was never mentioned. As an organization that represents more than 86,000 public corrections employees we know that it is the obligation and responsibility of government to incarcerate inmates and protect its citizens. This tough job cannot be delegated to corporate America. Placing profit at the center of corrections is a formula for disaster.

We continually worry about the safety of the prison staff, corrections officers, inmates, and communities surrounding these private prisons. Although public officials from Youngstown, Ohio have learned a lesson through tragedy, there are so many other communities that are ripe targets for the likes of CCA. We can only hope they will realize who they are dealing with when CCA knocks on their door.

Sincerely,

GERALD W. McENTEE
International President

(reference show May 2, 1999 - Youngstown, Ohio segment)