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Private Prisons on the Spot in Front of House Committee

February 29, 2000
By: Kyle Elfrink
State Capital Bureau

The House Correctional Committee continues to hear testimony regarding private prisons. Kyle Elfrink has the story from Jefferson City.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Right now, the state has no controlling authority over the private enterprises. There are currently two such prisons in Missouri, with a third coming this year to Johnson County. Charles Heiss is the sheriff there and says the bill is needed ...

Actuality:HEISS1
RunTime: 07
OutCue: "SEARCH WARRANT."
Contents: HEISS SAYS PRIVATE PRISONS CAN REFUSE ENTRY TO COUNTY SHERIFFS THAT DON'T HAVE A SEARCH WARRANT.

Other supporters echoed Heiss's calls for state oversight. Meanwhile, just one witness testified against the house bill saying the bill creates a false illusion that the state is cleaning up private prisons.

From the state capitol, I'm Kyle Elfrink.

A Missouri House Committee is supporting the calls for state oversight of private prisons. Kyle Elfrink has the story from Jefferson City.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

The Corrections Committee listened to more testimony last night favoring state control of private prisons. Currently, Missouri has two such prisons, with one in western Missouri on the way. Michael Hodges a citizen near the new prison, is astounded the state has no control over such a facility ...

Actuality:HODGES1
RunTime: 20
OutCue: "HAS EXISTED."
Contents: HODGES SAYS HE'S AMAZED THE STATE HAS OVERSIGHT OVER PRIVATE CHILD-CARE PROVIDERS, BUT NOT OVER PRIVATE PRISON PROVIDERS.

An opponent to the bill testified that it only creates the illusion that Missouri is cleaning up questionable practices in private prisons. From the state capitol, I'm Kyle Elfrink.

Private prisons were again in the limelight last night in front of a House Committee. Kyle Elfrink has the story from Jefferson City.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

The Corrections Committee heard testimony in favor of a bill giving the state oversight control of private prisons. Although much of the committee and many supporters favored the bill, opposition was heard. Bob Karoko, a spokesmen for a prison guards association, voiced concern ...

Actuality:KAROKO1
RunTime: 17
OutCue: "DANGEROUS MESSAGE."
Contents: KAROKO SAYS THE BILL CREATES THE FALSE ILLUSION THAT MISSOURI IS CLEANING UP THE PROBLEMS OF PRIVATE PRISONS.

Currently, there are two private businesses running prisons in Missouri, with a third coming later this year.

From the state capitol, I'm Kyle Elfrink.