In defense of Corecivic

In response to the Aug. 20 editorial “Upset over immigration crackdown? Join detention center divestment effort”:

None of Corecivic’s facilities provide housing for children who aren’t under the supervision of a parent. We also don’t enforce immigration laws or policies or have any say in an individual’s deportation or release. We’ve worked with every administration — Democrat and Republican — for more than 30 years.

Our corrections professionals prepare inmates for life after prison by providing education, vocational training, substance use treatment and other re-entry programs. We’ve also launched a nationwide initiative to advocate for a range of policies, including “Ban the Box” legislation, which would help former inmates rejoin their communities and stay out of prison.

Our company does not lobby for or against — or take any position on — policies or legislation that would determine the basis for or duration of an individual’s incarceration or detention.

These are highly charged, emotional issues, but much of the information about our company being shared by special interest groups is wrong and politically motivated, resulting in some people reaching misguided conclusions about what we do. Our job is to help the government solve problems in ways it could not alone — to help manage unprecedented humanitarian crises, improve the standard of care for vulnerable people, and meet other needs.

Amanda Gilchrist,

Nashville, Tenn.