2 Bidders Seek Miss. Private Prison Contract

BY JEFF AMY
Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. — Officials with the Mississippi Department of Corrections say two companies are bidding to manage the state’s four privately operated prisons.

One is the current operator, Utah-based Management and Training Corp. The second is New Jersey-based Community Education Centers.

MTC got $59.3 million last year to run East Mississippi Correctional Facility, Marshall County Correctional Facility and Walnut Grove Correctional Facility and Wilkinson County Correctional Facility.

Corrections spokeswoman Grace Fisher says a committee will evaluate proposals and make a recommendation to Commissioner Chris Epps. She says Epps plans to award the contract by Tuesday, with it beginning Dec. 1.

Epps sought new bids in August, saying he wanted more security staff. Mississippi is being sued over conditions at Walnut Grove and East Mississippi. Riots occurred at Walnut Grove in December and July.