Playing the Political Game

Quick link here to a Newsweek story about how the recession is hurting business for private prison operators.  Aside from that wonderful news, it goes on to mention how the industry now employs some powerful political figures, including a former Senator, a Cabinet Member under Bill Clinton, and the former director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, all of whom help the big players (CCA, GEO, Cornell) lobby at both the federal and state level.  Their political influence has helped the industry thrive over the past decade as these companies keep getting new contracts, despite the fact that they don't save much money over government-run facilities and they tend to have more major issues.