Video seeks to lure California prison inmates to Tennessee

[Joanne98]

Thousands of California inmates are getting a daily pitch on the finer side of what prison life could be like in Tennessee.

The video they're watching touts a private Tennessee prison's larger and cleaner jail cells; 79 TV channels, including ESPN; views of peaceful cow pastures; and inmates in the "Dorm of the Week," staying up all night, watching a movie and eating cheeseburgers or pizza.

The video's stars are some of the 80 California inmates who transferred to Corrections Corporation of America's West Tennessee Detention Facility in Mason last fall in what was the Golden State's first export of prisoners to ease overcrowding. Their taped testimonials are being used in an attempt to entice some of their former jail mates to follow them to the promised land of prisons.

"If they know what we know now, that system would be emptied out," one Tennessee transfer said about those remaining in California.

A judge's ruling has halted the transfers, but the tape has continued to air on California's prison TV channel pending results of an appeal. "We're anticipating we eventually would be allowed to move inmates and we have to prepare for that," said Bill Sessa, a spokesman for California's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=43002

I hate Arnold.
:nuke:

[hippiechick]

1. Indiana tried to get them but something happened...

... and the deal fell through. This was late last fall.

:shrug:

[Ouabache]

10. Maybe Hoosiers were smart enough to figure out that

In order to be closer to their prisoner member, some entire families would move from Cali to the town nearest the prison. And, there would be a good chance that upon release those prisoners will then stay around the town where the prison is located.

Is the recidivism rate of private prisons any better than public prisons?

Just sayin'...

[tk2kewl]

2. at least they could move to TN when they get out...

commit their next crimes there and then have a fancy-schmancy jail :silly:

[youngdem]

3. We live in a strange fucking country

[sarcasmo]

7. Jail is big business in this bizarre Country.

[LiberalFighter]

4. Why do prisoners get to decide where they serve their time?

If a criminal commits a crime in a state and found guilty under state law then they should serve the time in that state. PERIOD

[LiberalFighter]

5. Does Bill Sessa have an investment in allowing transfers?

[htuttle]

6. "A new life awaits you in the off-world colonies..."

...just like my sig says, if sigs were turned on right now.

[Porcupine]

12. Check out this link: "The Marching Morons"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marching_Morons

It's an old (1950's) Sci-Fi tale about a society that decides to get rid of all it's "dumb breeders." Should be required reading; for those who read that is.

[Lars39]

8. Somehow I don't think the "Follow Me to Tennessee" ad campaign

was meant for a captive audience.

[nealmhughes]

9. Thank God, it's in West Tennessee! Not in Middle! Whew!

Nashville can sleep soundly tonight, knowing that a bus load of released California miscreants will distress your blessed repose.

:sarcasm:

Like we don't have enough cons ourselves here...and for profit! I just don't like the taste of saying that in my mouth. "For profit prison, for profit hospital, for profit drug development, for profit Congress...."

[pfitz59]

11. Are prison Industries involved?

In many states its legal to hire prison labor at something like $.50 an hour, is that the case here?