News Release

Nashville, Tenn., January 20, 2004 - Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) (NYSE: CXW), the nation's largest provider of corrections management services to government agencies, has announced that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has awarded CCA contracts for the continued management of the 2,100-bed Mineral Wells Pre-Parole Transfer Facility located in Mineral Wells, Texas and the 200-bed Bridgeport Pre-Parole Transfer Facility located in Bridgeport, Texas.

The new contracts each have a three-year base term with four one-year renewal options and were awarded after a competitive procurement process. CCA has managed each of these facilities since 1995.

John Ferguson, President and Chief Executive Officer of CCA stated, "We appreciate the continued confidence the State of Texas has placed in our company. These two management contracts, coupled with the six new and one renewed Texas prison contracts we were awarded three months ago send positive reinforcement to our employees and management that we are meeting the high level of service and operational integrity that our government partners demand of us."

About CCA

CCA is the nation's largest owner and operator of privatized correctional and detention facilities and one of the largest prison operators in the United States, behind only the federal government and four states. CCA currently operates 64 facilities, including 38 company-owned facilities, with a total design capacity of approximately 65,000 beds in 20 states and the District of Columbia. We specialize in owning, operating, and managing prisons and other correctional facilities and providing inmate residential and prisoner transportation services for governmental agencies. In addition to providing the fundamental residential services relating to inmates, our facilities offer a variety of rehabilitation and educational programs, including basic education, religious services, life skills and employment training and substance abuse treatment. These services are intended to reduce recidivism and to prepare inmates for their successful re-entry into society upon their release. CCA also provides health care (including medical, dental and psychiatric services), food services and work and recreational programs.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains statements as to CCA's beliefs and expectations of the outcome of future events that are forward-looking statements as defined within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties associated with: (i) fluctuations in our operating results because of, among other things, changes in occupancy levels, competition, increases in cost of operations, fluctuations in interest rates and risks of operations; (ii) changes in the privatization of the corrections and detention industry; the public acceptance of our services; the timing of the opening of new prison facilities; and obtaining new contracts or the renewal of existing contracts; and (iii) general economic and market conditions. Other factors that could cause operating and financial results to differ are described in the filings made from time to time by CCA with the SEC.

CCA takes no responsibility for updating the information contained in this press release following the date hereof to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or the occurrence of unanticipated events or for any changes or modifications made to this press release or the information contained herein by any third-parties, including, but not limited to, any wire or internet services.