NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — An association representing state employees in
Tennessee wants the state to stop using private prisons.

The Tennessean reports that Tennessee State
Employee Association President Bryan Merritt is calling on the Tennessee
Department of Correction to end the use of private prisons because he says
state employees already do a great job managing prisons. He says private
prisons provide an inferior product, lower levels of safety and security
and debatable savings.

The move from the association comes after the U.S. Department of Justice
announced last week that it would end its contracts with private prison
operators.

Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Tony Parker says in a
statement that the state is satisfied with the services provided by private
prison operator Corrections Corporation of America.