Idaho Looking for New Prison Management Company

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho prison leaders are looking for a new company to run the state's largest prison after Corrections Corporation of America admitted to understaffing and overbilling for its work operating the Idaho Correctional Center. But the Idaho

Department of Correction won't be allowed to submit its own bid or take over operations at the prison south of Boise, because Board of Correction Chairwoman Robin Sandy said that would amount to expanding state government. The three-member Board of Correction made the decision Tuesday evening.

CCA's $29.9 million contract to run the prison expires on June 30, 2014; CCA's Idaho spokeswoman Andrea Evans said she didn't know if the company would bid on a new contract. The Idaho State Police is investigating whether CCA's understaffing amounted to a crime or civil violation.