Private Prison Company Leaving Idaho

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Private prison giant Corrections Corporation of America is leaving Idaho after more than a decade plagued by scandal and lawsuits surrounding its operation of the state's largest prison. CCA Vice President Brad Regens notified the state officials Thursday that the Nashville, Tenn.-based company won't bid on the next contract to run the Idaho Correctional Center south of Boise.

The news comes as Idaho State Police, aided by a forensic auditing firm, are investigating CCA's Idaho operations over allegations of possible contract fraud and falsified staffing reports.

CCA spokesman Steven Owen says the company continues to take all appropriate steps to remedy staffing problems at ICC, and the company remains committed to making taxpayers whole for any unverified hours. CCA's contract with Idaho ends on June 30, 2014.