Idaho’s Media Fight Efforts to Seal Lawsuits Against Private Prison Company

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A coalition of news organizations across Idaho is asking a federal judge to deny a proposed order that would give private prison company Corrections Corporations of America the power to seal whatever it wants in a lawsuit brought by inmates.

The Associated Press, Idaho Statesman, The Spokesman-Review, The Times-News, KBOI-TV, Idaho Press-Tribune, Post Register, Lewiston Tribune, Coeur d'Alene Press, Bonner County Daily Bee and others filed the motion Friday in Boise's U.S. District Court. The news organizations contend CCA's proposed protective order is too broad and would severely hamper the ability of journalists to report on the lawsuit.

CCA says it needs to be able to hide certain information from the public for security reasons. In the lawsuit, the inmates contend CCA understaffs the Idaho prison. CCA denies the allegations.