Running prisons should be the government’s responsibility and profit should never be a factor in our criminal justice system. Yet Nashville’s Metro government currently maintains a pension fund that holds over $900,000 in investments with CoreCivic, the oldest and second largest private prison corporation in the United States.
Headquartered right here in Nashville, this corporation has a historically poor track record with regard to the safety of prisoners and guards, unhealthy conditions in their facilities, falsifying records and much more. They also have contracts with ICE to house undocumented immigrants, in some cases allegedly forcing them to work for little to no pay.
This Tuesday, July 17, Nashville can take a concrete step towards saying NO to investment in private prison corporations where profit trumps accountability.
Resolution RS2018-1309 would put the Metropolitan Council on record as requesting that the investment committee of the Metropolitan Government divest government funds from those entities engaged in the operation of private prisons.
Please email your Metro Council member and the members below to support RS2018-1309 this Tuesday, July 17th.
Council Members
Your council member (find out your council member’s contact info here)
Sample Message to Legislators
SUBJ: Vote Yes on RS2018-1309
Dear ______,
I am writing to urge you to support RS2018-1309, which would encourage the Metro Government’s divestment from CoreCivic.
CoreCivic has a historically poor track record with regard to the safety of its prisoners and their guards, mistreatment of prisoners, falsifying records, and much more. They also have contracts with ICE to house undocumented immigrants, in some cases allegedly forcing them to work for little to no pay. I do not believe that Nashville should financially support this corporation.
Please support RS2018-1309. Thank you for your consideration.
