Kentucky will reopen private prison despite past inmate sex abuse

Gov. Matt Bevin's administration has agreed to reopen a private prison to alleviate pressure on the Kentucky State Reformatory in Oldham County, although government officials say the controversial decision is only a short-term solution.

The Kentucky Department of Corrections has signed a contract with CoreCivic – a major, Nashville-based private prison company formerly known as Corrections Corp. of America – to reopen the Lee Adjustment Center in Beattyville and move about 800 inmates there early next year.

The decision comes less than five years after the Commonwealth completely stopped using private prisons due in part to serious problems such as the sexual abuse of inmates.

"This is simply a move we are forced to make," Kentucky Justice Secretary John Tilley said, citing the state's growing prison population as a key reason for the decision. "We hope this is a release valve."

Read more: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2017/11/16/kentucky-reopen-private-prison-despite-past-inmate-sex-abuse/867367001/