Private Prison Case Study

The facility was to be owned and operated by Correctional Corporation of America. The group formed in response to this and because of the CCA owned prison in Youngstown that has had many questionable escapes and deaths. This purposive group formed in response to an enemy. So far, the group has mainly targeted the general public, the mass media, and other interest groups. They havent successfully targeted policy makers. CAP was able to get an initiative on a November ballot. Basically it says that the sewer services are prohibited to a private correctional facility that houses out-of-state prisoners. CAP has gained the support of AFSCME-CU, OCSEA, AFGE, and Senator Hagan helping them in their groups efforts.

(20) CAP was able to get Eric Bates, private prison critic and widely acclaimed author to speak at a Wellsville open meeting. They also held an informational meeting for the community with representatives from different unions in 1999. In October 1999 CAP canvassed neighborhoods along with members of different unions to join their group. In 1999, CAP also wrote many letters to the editors of local newspapers. Also, in

Some of these new groups learn from their mistakes, and others do not and disappear from the world of politics. In researching these four interest groups against private prisons, I have learned a lot about interest group politics. I have learned that when these groups work with other groups for a common cause they are more likely to become successful. I have also learned that the Corrections interest groups and the Labor groups seem to have more resources and more connections with influential people. The Corrections interest groups are more likely to gain support of police chiefs, other correction officers and other law enforcement officials than a citizens group would. They are also more likely to get the attention of key