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California to Send 2,600 Prisoners to Michigan
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The prison private sector is big business. So big, in fact, California will spend $60 million a year for three years to send 2,600 prisoners to GEO Group Inc.'s facility in Michigan, according to Neon Tommy's Paresh Dave. Millions more are likely to be spent by sending thousands of more prisoners to facilities owned by Corrections Corp. of America, which was a major player behind SB 1070, Arizona's controversial immigration law. The company also donated money to defeat Prop 19, which would have legalized and taxed marijuana in California. Dave hypothesized that perhaps "legalizing marijuana would mean less prisoners."
In all, the two companies are responsible for 125,000 prisoners in at least 19 states.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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