New Housing Unit Begins Receiving Inmates

BOISE, Idaho –Wearing orange jumpsuits, handcuffed, and in leg irons, inmates began arriving at Correction Corporation of America's (CCA) Idaho Correctional Center early this morning. The first transport bus from the Idaho Department of Correction pulled inside the gate and began the process of disembarking the first group of forty-six inmates. A second bus later arrived carrying an additional twenty-nine inmates. The inmates were then escorted into the housing unit and placed in their new living quarters.

"We are excited about opening this new housing unit," explained Warden Phillip Valdez. "We have been planning for this expansion for several years, and it is great to see it finally realized. The addition of these beds will make it possible for the State of Idaho to bring back the inmates currently housed at another CCA facility in Oklahoma."

The new housing unit is designed to house 324 close custody inmates in two-man cells. Each cell contains two beds, a toilet and a sink. The housing unit has two outdoor recreation areas and the inmates will be allowed out of their cells for recreation, programming and other activities. They will also have access to medical and dental care, library and legal services, telephones, showers, meals, hair care services, mail delivery and laundry services. Visitation for these inmates will be conducted through video phones.

According to the Idaho Department of Correction's (IDOC) classification policy, a close custody inmate is defined as an individual who is serving a long-term sentence, has committed a high-risk crime, has an escape history, and has been a disciplinary problem and/or displayed dangerous behavior while incarcerated. Classification of inmates is based on the IDOC policy.

About ICC and CCA
The Idaho Correctional Center is a 1805-bed facility located south of Boise and operated by Corrections Corporation of America. The facility opened in 2000 and is operated under contract with and oversight of the Idaho Department of Correction. CCA currently operates 64 facilities, including 42 that are company-owned, with a total design capacity of approximately 81,000 beds in 19 states and the District of Columbia, employing 17,000 correctional professionals nationwide.