UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934

 

Filed by the Registrant þ

 

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  o

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

 

Corrections Corporation of America

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2010

To our stockholders:

     You are invited to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Corrections Corporation of America (the “Company”) to be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at the Company’s corporate headquarters, 10 Burton Hills Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee. The Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, both of which accompany this letter, provide details regarding the business to be conducted at the meeting, as well as other important information about the Company.

     Following the formal matters to be addressed at the meeting, stockholders will have the opportunity to ask questions about the Company.

     Along with the other members of the Board of Directors and management, we look forward to greeting you at the Annual Meeting if you are able to attend.

CORRECTIONS CORPORATION OF AMERICA
10 Burton Hills Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37215

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2010

     The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at our corporate headquarters, 10 Burton Hills Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee. At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will consider and vote on the following proposals:

	(1)		The election of 13 nominees named in the accompanying Proxy Statement to serve on our Board of Directors;
	(2)		The ratification of the appointment by our Audit Committee of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm; and
	(3)		Any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

     We are pleased to take advantage of Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow issuers to furnish proxy materials to their stockholders over the internet. We believe these rules allow us to provide our stockholders with the information they need in a timely and convenient manner, while lowering the costs of delivery and reducing the environmental impact of our annual meeting.

     Your vote is important. You may vote by toll-free telephone or by the internet. If you elected to receive a copy of the proxy card by mail, you may vote by completing, signing and returning the proxy card in the accompanying postage-paid envelope. Please refer to the proxy card and the accompanying Proxy Statement for additional information regarding your voting options. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please take advantage of one of the advance voting options to ensure that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted by following the procedures described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

     Stockholders of record at the close of business on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

March 31, 2010
Nashville, Tennessee

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING			1
What matters will be acted on at the Annual Meeting?			1
What are the Board of Directors’ recommendations?			1
Why did I receive a one-page Notice in the mail regarding the internet availability of proxy materials this year instead of a full set of printed proxy materials?			2
Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?			2
How do I vote?			2
What vote is required to approve each item?			3
Where can I find the voting results?			3
How and when may I submit a stockholder proposal for the Company’s 2011 Annual Meeting?			3
Can I communicate directly with members of the Company’s Board of Directors?			4
How can I obtain the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K?			4
Can I access the Company’s proxy materials and annual report electronically?			4
What are the costs of soliciting these proxies?			4
How many copies should I receive if I share an address with another stockholder?			5
Who should I contact if I have any questions?			5
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE			6
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer			6
Board of Directors Meetings and Committees			7
Executive Sessions			9
Director Independence			9
Independence and Financial Literacy of Audit Committee Members			9
Director Candidates			9
Limitations on Other Board Service			10
Communications with Directors			11
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions			11
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation			12
Stock Ownership Guidelines			12
Code of Ethics and Business Conduct			12
Risk Oversight			13
Compensation Risk Assessment			13
Report of the Audit Committee			14
PROPOSAL 1 —- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS			15
Directors Standing for Election			15
PROPOSAL 2 — RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			22
Audit and Non-Audit Fees			22
Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Fees			23
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS			24
Information Concerning Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors			24
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION			25
Report of the Compensation Committee			38
Summary Compensation Table			39
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2009			42
Employment Agreements			43
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2009 Fiscal Year-End			45
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2009			46
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation in 2009			47
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control			48
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT			60
Ownership of Common Stock			60
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance			61

CORRECTIONS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2010

     We are providing this Proxy Statement in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors, or the Board, of Corrections Corporation of America, a Maryland corporation (the “Company,” “CCA,” “we,” or “us”), of proxies to be voted at our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and any adjournment or postponement of the meeting (the “Annual Meeting”).

     On or about April 2, 2010, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) will be mailed to our stockholders as of the record date containing instructions on how to access this Proxy Statement, our 2009 Letter to Stockholders, the Annual Report on Form 10-K and other proxy materials online, and how to vote. If you prefer to receive the proxy materials in the mail and to vote by mail, the Notice also contains instructions on how to request a printed copy. You will not receive printed copies of the proxy materials in the mail unless you specifically request them.

     The Annual Meeting will take place on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at our corporate headquarters, 10 Burton Hills Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee. All stockholders who are entitled to vote at the meeting are invited to attend. Seating at the Annual Meeting is limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis. All stockholders of record will need to present a form of personal photo identification and proof of stock ownership in order to be admitted to the Annual Meeting. The Notice provides proof of ownership or, if your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you may bring a brokerage statement dated on or after March 17, 2010 as proof of ownership with you to the Annual Meeting. To obtain directions to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, please contact Karin Demler, our Senior Director, Investor Relations, at 10 Burton Hills Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee 37215, (615) 263-3000.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

What matters will be acted on at the Annual Meeting?

     Stockholders will consider and vote on the following matters at the Annual Meeting:

	1.		The election of 13 members to our Board of Directors;
	2.		The ratification of the appointment by our Audit Committee of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010; and
	3.		Any other matters that are properly raised at the Annual Meeting.

     As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we are not aware of any other matters that will be presented for action at the Annual Meeting.

What are the Board of Directors’ recommendations?

     Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote:

	•		FOR the election of each of the 13 nominees to serve as directors on the Board of Directors; and
	•		FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP.

     If you complete and properly sign a proxy card and return it to the Company but do not specify your vote, the proxy will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors set forth above. Further, if any other matter properly comes before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the proxy holders will vote as recommended by the Board of Directors or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.

Why did I receive a one-page Notice in the mail regarding the internet availability of proxy materials this year instead of a full set of printed proxy materials?

     Pursuant to rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the internet. Accordingly, we are sending a Notice regarding the internet availability of the proxy materials to most of our stockholders of record and beneficial owners. All stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice or to request to receive a printed set of proxy materials. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the internet or to request a printed copy may be found in the Notice. In addition, stockholders may request receipt of proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by e-mail on an ongoing basis by following instructions set forth in the Notice.

Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

     Stockholders of record of our common stock at the close of business on the “record date” are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 as the record date.

     As of the record date, there were 116,050,917 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held as of the record date on each matter to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.

How do I vote?

     You can vote either in person by attending the 2010 Annual Meeting or by proxy without attending the 2010 Annual Meeting. To vote by proxy, you must either:

	•		vote by telephone (instructions are on the proxy card); or
	•		vote by internet (instructions are in the Notice you received in the mail or are on the proxy card); or
	•		if you requested and received printed copies of this Proxy Statement, our 2009 Letter to Stockholders, Annual Report on Form 10-K and other proxy materials, fill out the proxy card enclosed with the materials, date and sign it, and return it in the accompanying postage-paid envelope.

     Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, we urge you to submit your voting instructions to the proxy holders as soon as possible. You may change your vote at any time before it is cast by filing with the Secretary of the Company either a notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. If you submit voting instructions by telephone or by the internet,

you may change your vote by following the same instructions used in originally voting your shares. Attendance at the meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy.

What vote is required to approve each item?

     Quorum Requirement. The presence, in person or by proxy, of the Company’s stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” will be treated as shares present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. Failure of a quorum to be represented at the Annual Meeting will necessitate an adjournment or postponement and will subject the Company to additional expense.

     Election of Directors. Under the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) and Maryland law, a plurality of all of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is sufficient for the election of directors. A properly executed proxy marked “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY” with respect to the election of one or more directors will not be voted with respect to the director or directors indicated, although it will be counted for the purposes of determining whether there is a quorum.

     Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP and Other Items. For (i) the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, and (ii) any other matter that properly comes before the Annual Meeting, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast is required for approval. An “ABSTAIN” election will not be counted as a vote “for” or “against” any such matter. As noted above, if any other matter properly comes before the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders will vote as recommended by the Board of Directors or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.

     If you hold your shares in “street name” through a broker or other nominee, your broker or nominee may not be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to some of the matters to be acted upon. Thus, if you do not give your broker or nominee specific instructions, your shares may not be voted on those matters and will not be counted in determining the number of shares necessary for approval. However, shares represented by such “broker non-votes” will be counted in determining whether there is a quorum.

Where can I find the voting results?

     We will announce the voting results at the Annual Meeting. We also will report the voting results on a Form 8-K, which we expect to file with the SEC within four business days after the Annual Meeting has been held.

How and when may I submit a stockholder proposal for the Company’s 2011 Annual Meeting?

     Our annual meeting of stockholders generally is held in May of each year. Consistent with applicable SEC rules, we will consider for inclusion in our proxy materials for next year’s annual meeting stockholder proposals that are received at our executive offices no later than December 1, 2010 and that comply with other SEC rules regarding form and content. Proposals must be sent to the following address: Corrections Corporation of America, Attention: Secretary, 10 Burton Hills Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee 37215.

     Other stockholder proposals may be raised at next year’s meeting (but not considered for inclusion in our proxy materials) if timely received and otherwise in compliance with the advance notice

provisions of our Bylaws. In order to be timely, notice must be received at our executive offices (the address listed above) between February 13, 2011 and March 15, 2011.

Can I communicate directly with members of the Company’s Board of Directors?

     Yes. Stockholders, employees and other parties interested in communicating directly with members of the Company’s Board of Directors (including specific members of the Board or non-management directors as a group) may do so by writing to Corrections Corporation of America, Attention: Secretary, 10 Burton Hills Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee 37215. The Secretary of the Company compiles all substantive communications and periodically submits them to the Board, the group of directors or the individual directors to whom they are addressed. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters are handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee.

How can I obtain the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K?

     Any stockholder who desires a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, as filed with the SEC, may obtain a copy without charge by visiting our website, www.correctionscorp.com.

Can I access the Company’s proxy materials and annual report electronically?

     The Notice mailed to you in accordance with the SEC’s new rules contains instructions on how to access our proxy materials and vote over the internet. This Proxy Statement, our 2009 Letter to Stockholders, Annual Report on Form 10-K and other proxy materials are also available on our internet website at www.correctionscorp.com (accessible through the “Investors” link). If you are a stockholder of record and would like to view future proxy statements, annual reports and other proxy materials over the internet instead of receiving paper copies in the mail, follow the instructions provided when you vote over the internet. If you hold your shares through a broker, check the information provided by that entity for instructions on how to elect to view future proxy statements, annual reports and other proxy materials and to vote your shares over the internet. Opting to receive your proxy materials online saves us the cost of producing and mailing the proxy materials to your home or office and gives you an automatic link to the proxy voting site.

     Choosing to receive your future proxy materials by e-mail will allow us to provide our stockholders with the information you need in a timelier manner, will save us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you and will conserve natural resources. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by e-mail, you will receive an e-mail next year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting site. Your election to receive proxy materials by e-mail will remain in effect until you terminate it.

What are the costs of soliciting these proxies?

     The Company pays the cost of soliciting proxies. We have retained MacKenzie Partners to assist with the solicitation of proxies on our behalf. MacKenzie Partners will receive a fee of $7,500, plus reasonable expenses, for these and other services in connection with the Annual Meeting. Solicitation initially will be made by mail. Forms of proxies and proxy materials may also be distributed through brokers, custodians and other like parties to the beneficial owners of shares of our common stock, in which case we will reimburse these parties for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Proxies may also be solicited personally or by telephone or fax by directors, officers and employees of the Company. No additional compensation will be paid for these services.

How many copies should I receive if I share an address with another stockholder?

     The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single Notice and, to the extent requested, single set of proxy materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially provides extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies. The Company and some brokers household proxy materials unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker or us that they or we will be householding materials to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If at any time you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate Notice or, to the extent requested, set of proxy materials, or if you are receiving multiple copies of proxy materials and wish to receive only one, please notify your broker if your shares are held in a brokerage account or our transfer agent, identified below, if you hold registered shares. You can also notify us by sending a written request to Corrections Corporation of America, Attention: Karin Demler, 10 Burton Hills Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee 37215, or by calling Karin Demler at (615) 263-3000.

Who should I contact if I have any questions?

     If you have any questions about the Annual Meeting or these proxy materials, please contact Karin Demler, our Senior Director, Investor Relations, at 10 Burton Hills Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee 37215, (615) 263-3000. If you are a registered stockholder and have any questions about your ownership of our common stock, please contact our transfer agent, the American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, at 59 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038, (800) 937-5449, or Karin Demler at the address and phone number above. If your shares are held in a brokerage account, please contact your broker.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

     You can access our corporate charter, Bylaws, Corporate Governance Guidelines, current Board committee charters, Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and other corporate governance-related information on our website, www.correctionscorp.com (under the “Corporate Governance” section of the Investors page).

     During the last quarter of 2009, the Company amended the Corporate Governance Guidelines to clarify that executive sessions may be held by either independent directors or non-management directors. During the first quarter of 2010, the Board of Directors amended the Audit Committee charter to clarify the SEC rules pursuant to which the Audit Committee prepares the Audit Committee report included in this Proxy Statement.

     We believe that effective corporate governance is important to our long-term health and our ability to create value for our stockholders. With leadership from our Nominating and Governance Committee, our Board of Directors regularly evaluates regulatory developments and trends in corporate governance to determine whether our policies and practices in this area should be enhanced. The Nominating and Governance Committee also administers an annual self-evaluation process for the Board and its standing committees. In addition, our directors are encouraged to attend director education programs, which are reimbursed by the Company.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

     We do not have a formal policy regarding the separation of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) positions. In general, the Board believes that the determination depends on the circumstances including the Board’s evaluation of the person or persons available to serve in those positions and the needs of the company at a particular time.

     Pursuant to our Bylaws, the Chairman presides over meetings of the Board and of the stockholders at which he is present and has general oversight responsibility for our business and affairs. The CEO has responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Company, as determined by the Board, and for the administration of our business affairs. The CEO also has responsibility for presiding over any meeting of the Board or of the stockholders at which the Chairman is not present.

     The role of Chairman and that of CEO currently are held separately. John D. Ferguson serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors and is an employee of the Company. Damon T. Hininger serves as President and CEO. Prior to Mr. Hininger’s being named President and CEO in October 2009 and beginning in July 2008, Mr. Ferguson served as both Chairman and CEO. Prior to July 2008 and beginning in August 2000, Mr. Ferguson served as Vice-Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer while William F. Andrews, a current Director, served as Chairman.

     The Board believes that the Company’s current leadership structure is appropriate and represents the effective execution of the succession strategy put in place while Mr. Ferguson was serving as President and CEO. Promoting Mr. Hininger to President and CEO, while retaining Mr. Ferguson as Chairman, achieved important objectives for us. Mr. Hininger is positioned to fully focus his energies on implementing our business strategy and administering our day-to-day affairs. Mr. Ferguson is positioned to draw on his relationships with existing Board members and his experience as President and CEO to effectively discharge the duties of Chairman, while also serving as a resource to Mr. Hininger.

Board of Directors Meetings and Committees

     Our Board of Directors is responsible for establishing the Company’s broad corporate policies and strategic objectives, reviewing our overall performance and overseeing management’s performance. Among other things, the Board selects and evaluates our executive officers; establishes, reviews and approves our corporate objectives and strategies; and evaluates and approves major capital commitments.

     The Board currently consists of 13 members, all of whom are standing for re-election and are identified, along with their biographical information, under “Proposal I — Election of Directors.”

     The Board met four times in 2009. As a group, the Board members attended 94% of their Board and committee meetings. All directors attended all of their Board meetings, except for one director who missed one meeting, and all directors attended all of their committee meetings, except for one director who missed three meetings and three directors who missed one meeting each. All but one of the directors attended last year’s annual meeting of stockholders. The Board has adopted as its policy that directors are strongly encouraged to attend each annual meeting of stockholders.

     Our Board of Directors has four regularly standing committees: the Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Governance and Executive Committees. Each committee has a written charter that has been approved by the committee and the Board and that is reviewed at least annually. The table on the following page shows the current composition of each of our Board committees, together with a summary of each committee’s responsibilities and the number of meetings each committee held in 2009.

Committee		Members		Summary of Responsibilities		Meetings
Audit		C. Michael Jacobi (Chair) Donna M. Alvarado Charles L. Overby Henri L. Wedell		See “Audit Committee Report” below.		6
Compensation		Joseph V. Russell (Chair) John D. Correnti John R. Horne John R. Prann, Jr.		Responsible for setting CEO and director compensation, periodically reviewing and approving the Company’s compensation philosophy regarding executive compensation, reviewing the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement and issuing the Compensation Committee Report included in this Proxy Statement. Other responsibilities include: •   Administration of equity-based compensation plans; •   Evaluation of the performance of the CEO and executive officers; and •   Assistance to the Nominating and Governance Committee with executive succession planning efforts.		4
Nominating and Governance		Charles L. Overby (Chair) Dennis W. DeConcini Thurgood Marshall, Jr. Joseph V. Russell		Responsible for identifying and recommending director nominees to the full Board and taking a leadership role in shaping and evaluating the Board’s corporate governance initiatives. Other responsibilities include: •   Review of the Company’s ethics and compliance program; •   Oversight of Board’s self-evaluation process; and •   Leading the Board’s executive succession planning efforts. See “Director Candidates” below.		4
Executive		William F. Andrews (Chair) John D. Ferguson Damon T. Hininger Joseph V. Russell		When necessary, and subject to authority limitations with respect to significant corporate actions, responsible for acting on behalf of the full Board during intervals between Board meetings.		0

Executive Sessions

     Executive sessions, or meetings of our non-management directors without management present, are held regularly in order to provide an opportunity for the outside directors to discuss openly any and all matters. During 2009, the outside directors met in Executive session three times. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that Executive sessions are called and chaired by an independent director appointed from time to time by the Nominating and Governance Committee. Charles L. Overby currently serves as the Executive session chair.

Director Independence

     Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Hininger and Mr. Andrews are the only members of the Board of Directors who currently are employed by the Company. The Board has determined that all of our other directors are independent. Accordingly, 10 of our 13 director nominees are independent and our Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees are composed entirely of independent directors. In making its independence determinations, the Board used the standards for director independence set forth in the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) corporate governance listing standards (Section 303A) and, with respect to Audit Committee members, Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Independence and Financial Literacy of Audit Committee Members

     The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent as defined by the standards of the NYSE and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Board also has determined that each member is “financially literate” as defined by the rules of the NYSE and that Mr. Jacobi qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Director Candidates

     The Nominating and Governance Committee considers candidates for Board membership suggested by its members and other Board members, as well as management and stockholders. A stockholder who wishes to recommend a prospective nominee for the Board should notify our Secretary in writing, along with any supporting material the stockholder considers appropriate, in accordance with the stockholder proposal provisions of our Bylaws. General information concerning the submission of stockholder proposals is provided above under the caption “How and when may I submit a stockholder proposal for the Company’s 2011 Annual Meeting?” Pursuant to Board policy, there are to be no differences in the manner in which the Committee evaluates candidates based on the source of the recommendation.

     The Nominating and Governance Committee is authorized by the Board to identify director candidates, evaluate and consider candidates proposed by any director, member of management or stockholder, develop and implement screening processes it deems necessary and appropriate and recommend for selection by the Board director nominees for each annual meeting of stockholders and, when necessary, vacancies on the Board. The Committee is authorized by the Board to exercise sole authority in retaining any third-party search firm the Committee deems appropriate to identify and assist with the evaluation of director candidates and has utilized that authority in past director searches.

     The Committee evaluates prospective nominees against the criteria in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which include professional integrity and sound judgment, sufficient time available to devote to Board activities, a general understanding of marketing, finance and other elements relevant to the

success of a publicly-traded company in today’s business environment, an understanding of our business and factors such as diversity, age, skills and educational and professional background. With respect to diversity, the Committee considers diversity in terms of age, gender and ethnicity, as well as diversity of skills, expertise and experience, in its deliberations.

     The Committee may also consider other factors it deems relevant, including the current composition of the Board, whether there is a need to fill vacancies or expand or contract the size of the Board, the balance of management and independent directors, the need for expertise on our standing committees and the qualifications of other prospective nominees. Nominees are not discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or any other basis proscribed by law.

     With respect to determining whether current directors should stand for re-election, the Nominating and Governance Committee also considers the director’s past attendance at meetings and participation in and contributions to the activities of the Board and the Company. With respect to new candidates for Board service, a full evaluation may also include detailed background checks and in-person and telephonic interviews with the Nominating and Governance Committee and other Board members. The Committee evaluation process culminates with a decision as to whether or not to recommend the prospective nominee to the full Board for appointment and/or nomination.

     In October 2009, the Board increased its size from 13 to 14 members and appointed Damon T. Hininger to serve as a member of the Board until the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. Effective February 10, 2010, Lucius E. Burch, III, resigned from the Board. The Board decided to refrain from appointing a replacement member to serve Mr. Burch’s unexpired term.

Limitations on Other Board Service

     The Audit Committee charter provides that a member of the Audit Committee may not serve on the audit committee of more than two other public companies without Board approval. Otherwise, we do not believe that our directors should be categorically prohibited from serving on boards and/or board committees of other organizations. However, our Corporate Governance Guidelines instruct the Nominating and Governance Committee and the full Board to take into account the nature of and time involved with respect to a director’s service on other boards as well as other job responsibilities in evaluating the suitability of individual directors and in making its recommendations to our stockholders. Service on boards and/or committees of other organizations must also be consistent with our conflicts of interest policy, as set forth in our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, which, among other things, requires a director to provide notice to the Board of his or her acceptance of a nomination to serve on the board of another public company.

     The Board has determined that Mr. Jacobi’s service as a member of the audit committee of three other public companies does not impair his ability to serve effectively as a member of the Company’s Audit Committee.

Communications with Directors

     Stockholders, employees and other interested parties may communicate with members of our Board of Directors (including specific members of the Board or non-management directors as a group) by writing to Corrections Corporation of America, Attention: Secretary, 10 Burton Hills Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee 37215. To the extent such communications are received, our Secretary compiles all substantive communications and periodically submits them to the Board, the group of directors or the individual directors to whom they are addressed. Communications that the Secretary would not consider “substantive,” and therefore may exercise discretion in submitting to the addressee, may include junk mail, mass mailings, resumes and job inquiries, surveys, business solicitations, advertisements, frivolous communications and other similarly unsuitable communications.

     Communications expressing concerns or complaints relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters are handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee. Under those procedures, concerns that are improperly characterized as having to do with accounting, internal controls or auditing matters or that are frivolous or clearly inconsequential may be addressed by the Secretary without presentation to the Audit Committee. However, in all cases the Secretary maintains a log of correspondence addressed to directors that may be reviewed by any director at his or her request.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

     Since the beginning of the last fiscal year, we are aware of no related party transactions between us and any of our directors, executive officers, 5% stockholders or their family members which require disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

     Pursuant to its written charter, the Audit Committee has adopted a Related Party Transaction Policy that, subject to certain exceptions, requires the Audit Committee (or the chair of the Audit Committee in certain instances) to review and either ratify, approve or disapprove all “Interested Transactions,” which are generally defined to include any transaction, arrangement or relationship or series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships (including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness) in which:

	•		the aggregate amount involved exceeded, or will or may be expected to exceed, $120,000 in any calendar year;
	•		the Company was, is or will be a participant; and
	•		any Related Party had, has or will have a direct or indirect interest.

For purposes of the policy, a “Related Party” is any:

	•		person who is or was (since the beginning of the last fiscal year for which the Company has filed a Form 10-K and proxy statement, even if they do not presently serve in that role) an executive officer, director or nominee for election as a director;
	•		greater than 5% beneficial owner of the Company’s common stock;
	•		immediate family member of any of the foregoing; or
	•		firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a general partner, managing member or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a 10% or greater beneficial ownership interest.

     In determining whether to approve or ratify an Interested Transaction under the policy, the Audit Committee is to consider all relevant information and facts available to it regarding the Interested Transaction and take into account factors such as the Related Party’s relationship to the Company and interest (direct or indirect) in the transaction, the terms of the transaction and the benefits to the Company of the transaction. No director is to participate in the approval of an Interested Transaction for which he or she is a Related Party or otherwise has a direct or indirect interest.

     In addition, the Audit Committee is to review and assess ongoing Interested Transactions, if any, on at least an annual basis to determine whether any such transactions remain appropriate or should be modified or terminated.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

     During 2009, Mr. Russell, Mr. Correnti, Mr. Horne and Mr. Prann served on our Compensation Committee for the full year, with Mr. Russell serving as the committee’s Chair. None of the current members of the Compensation Committee or any of their family members serve or have served as an officer or employee of the Company. None of our executive officers served during 2009 as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee (or other committee serving an equivalent function) of any entity that had one or more executive officers serving as a member of the Board or the Compensation Committee.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

     During the first quarter of 2007, the Board adopted stock ownership guidelines (the “Guidelines”) for the Company’s executive officers and directors, effective as of March 1, 2007 (the “Effective Date”). The Guidelines, which are administered and interpreted by the Compensation Committee, provide that the Company’s executive officers are expected to own a fixed number of shares of common stock of the Company equal to three times such executive officer’s base salary in effect as of the Effective Date divided by the Company’s closing common stock price, as reported by the NYSE, on the Effective Date. For any individual who becomes an executive officer after the Effective Date, base salary and closing common stock price are determined based on such executive officer’s date of hire or promotion, as applicable. Subject to a limited hardship exemption, executive officers are expected to meet these ownership guidelines by the later of (1) March 1, 2012 or (2) five years following their date of hire or promotion, as applicable.

     With respect to the Company’s non-executive directors, such individuals are each expected to own a fixed number of shares of common stock of the Company equal to four times the annual retainer for non-executive directors (excluding any retainer for chairing or serving on a committee) in effect as of the Effective Date divided by the Company’s closing common stock price, as reported by the NYSE, on the Effective Date. For any individual who becomes a non-executive director after the Effective Date, annual retainer and closing common stock price are determined based on the date of such non-executive director’s initial election to the Board. Subject to a limited hardship exemption, non-executive directors are expected to meet these ownership guidelines by the later of (1) March 1, 2012 or (2) five years following their initial election to the Board.

     The Guidelines are accessible on our website, www.correctionscorp.com (under the “Corporate Governance” section of the Investors page).

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

     All of our directors and employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and principal accounting officer, are subject to our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct. Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and related compliance policies are designed to promote an

environment in which integrity is valued, business is conducted in a legal and ethical manner and ethics and compliance issues are raised and addressed. Our Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing the Code annually and our Audit Committee is responsible for addressing any violations or waivers involving our executive officers and directors. We intend to post amendments to or waivers from our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (to the extent applicable to our directors, chief executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer) on our website. Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct is accessible on our website, www.correctionscorp.com (under the “Corporate Governance” section of the Investors page).

Risk Oversight

     Our Board of Directors oversees risk management with a focus on the Company’s primary areas of risk: risk related to our business strategy, financial risk, legal/compliance risk and operational risk. The President and Chief Executive Officer and each of the Company’s Executive Vice Presidents are responsible for managing risk in their respective areas of authority and expertise, identifying key risks to the Board and explaining to the Board how those risks are being addressed.

     The Board oversees management’s strategic planning process, which includes an evaluation of opportunities and risks presented by the Company’s current strategies and alternative strategies. The Board also receives regular reports from each of the executives with respect to their areas of managerial responsibility. These reports include information concerning risks and risk mitigation strategies. For example, the Board receives quarterly reports from our Chief Corrections Officer with respect to key areas of operational risk; monitors risks relating to our partnership development efforts through quarterly reports from our Chief Development Officer; and receives regular reports from our General Counsel with respect to legal and compliance risks. In addition, the Board evaluates risk in the context of particular business strategies and transactions. For example, the Board monitors significant capital expenditures through its annual budget review and quarterly capital expenditure reports from management and monitors risk relating to our financing activities through in depth reviews of proposed financing transactions.

     The standing committees of the Board also have responsibility for risk oversight. The Audit Committee focuses on financial risk, including fraud risk and risks relating to our internal controls over financial reporting. It receives an annual risk assessment report from the Company’s internal auditors, as well as financial risk assessment information in connection with particular events or transactions. The Nominating and Governance Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to regulatory compliance and receives regular reports from the Company’s General Counsel and its Ethics Officer. As discussed in detail below, the Compensation Committee addresses risks relating to our executive compensation strategies. The full Board receives regular reports from the chairs of these activities and receives reports and other meeting materials provided to each of the committees.

Compensation Risk Assessment

     In setting compensation, our Compensation Committee considers the risks to CCA’s stockholders and to achievement of our goals that may be inherent in the compensation program. Although a significant portion of our executives’ compensation is performance-based and “at-risk,” the Compensation Committee believes our executive compensation plans are appropriately structured and do not pose a material risk to CCA. The Compensation Committee considered the following elements of our executive compensation plans and policies when evaluating whether such plans and policies encourage our executives to take unreasonable risks:

	•		We set performance goals that we believe are reasonable in light of past performance and current market and economic conditions.
	•		We use a combination of restricted stock units and stock options for equity awards because restricted stock units retain value even in a depressed market (assuming achievement of performance criteria) and stock options provide for potential realization of value over time, based on an increase in share price.
	•		The time-based vesting over multiple years for our long-term incentive awards, even after achievement of any performance criteria, promotes the alignment of our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders for the long-term performance of CCA.
	•		Assuming achievement of at least a minimum level of performance, payouts under our performance-based plans result in some compensation at levels below full target achievement, rather than an “all-or-nothing” approach.
	•		Our executive stock ownership policy requires our executives to hold certain levels of CCA stock, which aligns an appropriate portion of their personal wealth to the long-term performance of CCA.

Report of the Audit Committee

     The following Report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this Report by reference therein.

General Responsibilities

     Our Audit Committee is charged with oversight of the integrity of our financial statements; the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm; and the performance of our internal audit function. Among other things, the Committee monitors preparation by our management of quarterly and annual financial reports and interim earnings releases; reviews Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations prior to the filing of our periodic reports with the SEC; supervises our relationship with our independent registered public accounting firm, including making decisions with respect to appointment or removal, reviewing the scope of audit services, approving audit and non-audit services and annually evaluating the audit firm’s independence; and oversees management’s implementation and maintenance of effective systems of internal accounting and disclosure controls, including review of our policies relating to legal and regulatory compliance and review of our internal auditing program. The full text of the Audit Committee charter is available on the Company’s website at www.correctionscorp.com (under the “Corporate Governance” section of the Investors page).

2009 Meetings

     The Audit Committee met six times in 2009. Within those meetings, the Committee met in executive session with our independent registered public accounting firm two times.

Oversight of Financial Reporting

     As part of its oversight of our financial statements, the Committee reviews and discusses with both management and our independent registered public accounting firm all annual and quarterly financial statements prior to their issuance. With respect to the 2009 fiscal year, management advised the Committee that each set of financial statements reviewed had been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and reviewed significant accounting and disclosure issues with the Committee. These reviews included discussion with the independent registered public accounting firm of matters required to be discussed pursuant to Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees), as amended, including the quality of our accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements. The Committee also received the written disclosures and letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding its communications with the Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP its independence.

     Also with respect to fiscal 2009, the Audit Committee received periodic updates provided by management, the independent registered public accounting firm and the internal auditors at each regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting and provided oversight during the process. At the conclusion of the process, management provided the Audit Committee with, and the Audit Committee reviewed a report on, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee also reviewed Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and Ernst & Young LLP’s Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

     Taking all of these reviews and discussions into account, the undersigned Committee members recommended to the Board of Directors that the Board approve the inclusion of our audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, for filing with the SEC.

Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:

C. Michael Jacobi, Chair
Donna M. Alvarado
Charles L. Overby
Henri L. Wedell

PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Directors Standing for Election

     The current term of office of each of our directors expires at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors proposes that the following nominees, all of whom are currently serving as directors, be re-elected for a new term to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. We expect each of the nominees to serve if elected. If any of them becomes unavailable to serve as a director, the Board may designate a substitute nominee. In that case, the persons named as proxies will vote for the substitute nominee designated by the Board.

     A plurality of the votes cast is sufficient to elect each director.

     The general criteria considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee with respect to director nominees are discussed on page 9 under the heading “Director Candidates.” Based on evaluation of those criteria, the Board believes that each of the nominees contributes relevant skills, expertise and experience to the Board and that the group of nominees collectively has the skills, expertise, experience, independence and other attributes necessary to discharge effectively the Board’s oversight responsibilities on behalf of the Company’s stockholders.

     Information regarding each of the nominees for director, including particular qualifications considered for each nominee, is set forth below. Directors’ ages are given as of the date of this Proxy Statement.

     As previously announced, Lucius E. Burch, III retired as a director and member of the Board’s Audit and Executive Committees in February 2010. The directors express their sincere appreciation to Mr. Burch for his service and extensive contributions to CCA and its stockholders.

     The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR each of the 13 nominees listed below.

JOHN D. FERGUSON		Director since 2000

Mr. Ferguson, age 64, has served as a director since August 2000 and also serves as Chairman of our Board and member of our Executive Committee. Mr. Ferguson formerly served as our Chief Executive Officer from August 2000 to October 2009 and as our President from August 2000 until July 2008. Mr. Ferguson’s career in business and government includes service as the Commissioner of Finance for the State of Tennessee and as the chairman and chief executive officer of Community Bancshares, Inc., the parent corporation of The Community Bank of Germantown (Tennessee), as well as service on the State of Tennessee Board of Education and the Governor’s Commission on Practical Government for the State of Tennessee. Mr. Ferguson currently serves as a director of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, the Boy Scouts of America — Middle Tennessee Council, the Nashville Symphony Association and the Nashville Alliance for Public Education. Mr. Ferguson graduated from Mississippi State University in 1967.

In making the decision to nominate Mr. Ferguson to serve as a director, the Nominating and Governance Committee considered, in addition to the criteria referred to above, Mr. Ferguson’s knowledge of the Company and its business and management team by virtue of his past service as our President and Chief Executive Officer; his demonstrated business acumen and leadership skills; his understanding of government gained through his experience in state government; and his civic and community involvement.

DAMON T. HININGER		Director since 2009

Damon T. Hininger, age 40, has served as a director and our President and Chief Executive Officer since October 2009. From July 2008 until October 2009, Mr. Hininger served as our President and Chief Operating Officer. From 2007 until July 2008, Mr. Hininger served as our Senior Vice President, Federal and Local Customer Relations. Mr. Hininger joined the Company in 1992 and held several positions, including Vice President, Business Analysis and Vice President, Federal Customer Relations before being promoted to Senior Vice President. Mr. Hininger earned a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University and an M.B.A. from the Jack Massey School of Business at Belmont University.

In making the decision to nominate Mr. Hininger to serve as a director, the Nominating and Governance Committee considered, in addition to the criteria referred to above, his current service as our President

and Chief Executive Officer and his comprehensive knowledge of the Company, its business, operations and management team through his current position and past roles with the Company, including roles at the facility operations level and as Chief Operations Officer and Senior Vice President, Federal and Local Customer Relations.

DONNA M. ALVARADO		Director since 2003

Ms. Alvarado, age 61, has served as a director and member of our Audit Committee since December 2003. Ms. Alvarado is the founder and current president of Aguila International, an international business-consulting firm that specializes in human resources and leadership development. She also serves as a director and member of the audit and compensation committees of CSX Corporation, a publicly-traded provider of rail and other transportation services, as a director of Park National Bank, the lead affiliate bank of Park National Corporation, a publicly-held bank holding company, and as a member and the immediate past Chairwoman of the Ohio Board of Regents. Ms. Alvarado has held senior management positions in government, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense with the U.S Department of Defense and Director of ACTION, the federal domestic volunteer agency. Ms. Alvarado earned both a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Ohio State University, completed doctoral coursework in Latin American Literature at the University of Oklahoma and earned a postgraduate certificate in Financial Management from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

In making the decision to nominate Ms. Alvarado to serve as a director, the Nominating and Governance Committee considered, in addition to the criteria referred to above, her understanding of government through her public sector experience; her experience as a public company director and audit committee member; her human resources and leadership development expertise; her civic and community involvement; and her contribution to the Board’s gender and cultural diversity.

WILLIAM F. ANDREWS		Director since 2000

Mr. Andrews, age 78, has served as a director since August 2000. Mr. Andrews also serves as Chair of our Executive Committee. From August 2000 until July 2008, Mr. Andrews served as Chairman of our Board. Mr. Andrews has been a principal of Kohlberg & Company, a private equity firm specializing in middle market investing, since 1995. He also currently serves as chairman of Katy Industries, Inc., a publicly-traded diversified manufacturing company with consumer and commercial product lines; a director of Black Box Corporation, a publicly-traded provider of information technology infrastructure solutions; a director of Trex Corporation, a publicly-traded producer of decking and railing products; a director of O’Charley’s Inc., a publicly-traded restaurant company; and chairman of SVP Holdings, Ltd. and a director of Central Parking Corporation, both private companies. Mr. Andrews is a graduate of the University of Maryland and received an M.B.A from Seton Hall University.

In making the decision to nominate Mr. Andrews to serve as a director, the Nominating and Governance Committee considered, in addition to the criteria referred to above, Mr. Andrews’ past or current experience as a director of several publicly-companies, including his experience as Chairman of our Board; his leadership and oversight experience across a diverse array of industries; and his knowledge and experience with respect to corporate finance and investing.

JOHN D. CORRENTI		Director since 2000

Mr. Correnti, age 63, has served as a director since December 2000 and is a member of our Compensation Committee. Mr. Correnti is the chairman and executive officer of Steel Development Company, a steel development and operations company. Mr. Correnti served as chief executive officer of SeverCorr, LLC,

a steel mill operator, from 2005 through January 2008 and as chairman and chief executive officer of SteelCorr, LLC from 2002 through 2005. Mr. Correnti also serves as a director of Navistar International Corporation, a publicly traded holding company of transportation related and other businesses. Mr. Correnti holds a B.S. degree in civil engineering from Clarkson University.

In making the decision to nominate Mr. Correnti to serve as a director, the Nominating and Governance Committee considered, in addition to the criteria referred to above, his executive leadership experience gained through his service as a chief executive of established and start-up companies, both public and private, and his public company director experience.

DENNIS W. DECONCINI		Director since 2008

Mr. DeConcini, age 72, was appointed as a director and member of our Nominating and Governance Committee in February 2008. Mr. DeConcini served as a member of the United States Senate as a Senator from Arizona for three terms (18 years). During his Senate tenure, he served on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (as Chairman from 1993 — 1994), the Judiciary Committee and the Appropriations Committee, and served as rotating Chairman to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki Commission). He currently is a partner in the law firm DeConcini McDonald Yetwin & Lacy, P.C. in Tuscon, Arizona. He also is a member of the Arizona Board of Regents, the governing body for the Arizona State University system, and the boards of directors of both the National and International Centers for Missing and Exploited Children. Mr. DeConcini served in the United States Army and Reserve from 1959 to 1967. He received his B.A. from the University of Arizona in 1959 and his L.L.B. from the University of Arizona in 1963.

In making the decision to nominate Mr. DeConcini to serve as a director, the Nominating and Governance Committee considered, in addition to the criteria referred to above, his understanding of government, politics and the public sector through his service as a United States Senator, a member of the Arizona Board of Regents and as a registered lobbyist; his understanding of and experience with the State of Arizona, a state where a significant portion of our operations is located; his understanding of corporate governance, legal and compliance matters through his education and background as a lawyer and former prosecutor; and his civic and community involvement.

JOHN R. HORNE		Director since 2001

Mr. Horne, age 72, has served as a director since December 2001 and is a member of our Compensation Committee. Mr. Horne served as chairman of Navistar International Corporation from April 1996 to February 2004 and prior to that as Navistar’s president and chief executive officer. Mr. Horne currently serves on the board of directors of Junior Achievement of Chicago. Mr. Horne received his M.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Bradley University in 1964, a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in 1960, which also awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree in May 1998, and is a graduate of the management program at Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.

In making the decision to nominate Mr. Horne to serve as a director, the Nominating and Governance Committee considered, in addition to the criteria referred to above, his leadership experience as chairman and as chief executive officer of a large, publicly traded industrial company and his extensive educational and business achievements.

C. MICHAEL JACOBI		Director since 2000

Mr. Jacobi, age 68, has served as a director and as Chair of the Audit Committee since December 2000. Mr. Jacobi is the owner and president of Stable House, LLC, a private company engaged in residential real estate development. From June 2001 through May 2005, Mr. Jacobi served as the president and chief executive officer and a director of Katy Industries, Inc., a publicly-traded diversified manufacturing company. He is a director and the chair of the audit committees of Webster Financial Corporation, a publicly-traded banking and financial services company, and Sturm, Ruger and Company, Inc., a publicly-traded maker of firearms, and a director and member of the audit committee of Kohlberg Capital Corporation, a publicly-traded business development company specializing in term loans, mezzanine investments and selected equity positions in middle market companies. Mr. Jacobi is a certified public accountant and holds a B.S. degree from the University of Connecticut.

In making the decision to nominate Mr. Jacobi to serve as a director, the Nominating and Governance Committee considered, in addition to the criteria referred to above, his leadership experience as chief executive officer and chief financial officer of a public company; his extensive experience as a public company director and audit committee member and chairman; and his financial and accounting experience and expertise.

THURGOOD MARSHALL, JR.		Director since 2002

Mr. Marshall, age 53, has served as a director and member of the Nominating and Governance Committee since December 2002. Mr. Marshall is a partner in the law firm of Bingham McCutchen LLP in Washington D.C., and a principal in Bingham Consulting Group LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bingham McCutchen LLP that assists business clients with communications, political and legal strategies. Mr. Marshall, the son of the historic Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, has held appointments in each branch of the federal government, including Cabinet Secretary to President Clinton and Director of Legislative Affairs and Deputy Counsel to Vice President Al Gore. He is a board member of the United States Postal Service, the Ford Foundation and the Supreme Court Historical Society. He serves on the American Bar Association Election Law Committee and the Ethics Oversight Committee of the United States Olympic Committee. Mr. Marshall earned a B.A. in 1978 and a J.D. in 1981 from the University of Virginia, after which he clerked for United States District Judge Barrington D. Parker.

In making the decision to nominate Mr. Marshall to serve as a director, the Nominating and Governance Committee considered, in addition to the criteria referred to above, his understanding of politics and the public sector through his varied government service and consulting work; his understanding of organizational governance and oversight through his service as a director in the public, non-profit and for-profit sectors; his understanding of legal/regulatory and compliance issues through his education and experience as a lawyer; and his contribution to the Board’s cultural diversity.

CHARLES L. OVERBY		Director since 2001

Mr. Overby, age 63, has served as a director since December 2001. Mr. Overby has served as a member of the Audit Committee since February 2002 and as the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee since the committee was established in December 2002. Mr. Overby is the chairman and chief executive officer of The Freedom Forum, an independent, non-partisan foundation dedicated to the First Amendment and media issues, and The Diversity Institute. He is also chief executive officer of the Newseum, a museum in Washington DC about news and history. Mr. Overby is a former Pulitzer Prize-winning editor in Jackson, Mississippi. He worked 16 years for Gannett Co., the nation’s largest newspaper company, in various capacities, including as reporter, editor, and corporate executive. He was vice president for news and communications for Gannett and served on the management committees of Gannett and USA TODAY. Mr. Overby currently serves on the boards of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans and the University of Mississippi Foundation.

In making the decision to nominate Mr. Overby to serve as a director, the Nominating and Governance Committee considered, in addition to the criteria referred to above, his executive leadership experience and understanding of corporate governance as chief executive of several non-profit organizations; his understanding of media and public relations through his career as a journalist, print media executive and executive with other media related organizations; his political experience; and his civic and community involvement and leadership.

JOHN R. PRANN, JR.		Director since 2000

Mr. Prann, age 59, has served as a director and member of the Compensation Committee since December 2000. Mr. Prann’s business experience includes service as the president and chief executive officer of Katy Industries, Inc., as a partner with the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche and as a director of several private companies. Mr. Prann earned a B.A. in Biology from the University of California, Riverside and an M.B.A from the University of Chicago.

In making the decision to nominate Mr. Prann to serve as a director, the Nominating and Governance Committee considered, in addition to the criteria referred to above, his executive leadership experience as president and chief executive of a public company and his understanding of accounting and finance issues through his education and career.

JOSEPH V. RUSSELL		Director since 1999

Mr. Russell, age 69, has served as a director since 1999. Mr. Russell is the Chair of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Executive and the Nominating and Governance Committees. Mr. Russell is the co-chairman and co-chief executive officer of Elan-Polo, Inc., a privately-held, world-wide producer and distributor of footwear. Mr. Russell graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1963 with a B.S. in Finance.

In making the decision to nominate Mr. Russell to serve as a director, the Nominating and Governance Committee considered, in addition to the criteria referred to above, his experience as the owner and chief executive officer of a manufacturing company; his familiarity with the Company through his long tenure as a Director; his demonstrated leadership skills as a director and Chair of the Compensation Committee; and his knowledge, experience and judgment with respect to executive compensation issues.

HENRI L. WEDELL		Director since 2000

Mr. Wedell, age 68, has served as a director and member of the Audit Committee since December 2000. Mr. Wedell is a private investor in Memphis, Tennessee. Prior to his retirement in 1999, Mr. Wedell was the senior vice president of sales of The Robinson Humphrey Co., an investment banking subsidiary of Smith-Barney, Inc., with which he was employed for over 24 years. Mr. Wedell’s business career also includes service as a member of the board of directors of Community Bancshares, Inc. He currently serves on the boards of the Delta Waterfowl Foundation and the Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee. Mr. Wedell earned an M.B.A. from the Tulane University School of Business.

In making the decision to nominate Mr. Wedell to serve as a director, the Nominating and Governance Committee considered, in addition to the criteria referred to above, his understanding of accounting and corporate finance issues through his career in the securities industry; his perspective as a private investor and significant stockholder of the Company; and his civic and community involvement.

PROPOSAL 2 — RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010. Services provided to the Company and its subsidiaries by Ernst & Young LLP in fiscal 2009 are described below under “Audit and Non-Audit Fees.”

     Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and we expect that they will be available to respond to questions.

     Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the shares of common stock voting in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. If the Company’s stockholders do not ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, the Audit Committee will reconsider the appointment and may affirm the appointment or retain another independent accounting firm. If the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee may in the future replace Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm if it is determined that it is in the Company’s best interest to do so.

     The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010.

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

     The following table presents fees for audit, audit-related, tax and other services rendered by the Company’s principal independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.

Fees		2009				2008
Audit Fees (1)		$	960,940			$	872,347
Audit-Related Fees			—				—
Tax Fees (2)			229,432				243,129
All Other Fees (3)			1,995				1,500
Total		$	1,192,367			$	1,116,976

Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Fees

     Consistent with Section 202 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and SEC rules regarding auditor independence, our Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. In 2008 and 2009, the Audit Committee approved all fees disclosed under “tax,” “audit-related” and “all other” fees by Ernst & Young in accordance with applicable rules.

     The Audit Committee’s Auditor Independence Policy prohibits our independent registered public accounting firm from performing certain non-audit services and any services that have not been approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the policy and the Section 202 rules. The policy establishes procedures to ensure that proposed services are brought before the Audit Committee for consideration and, if determined by the Committee to be consistent with the auditor’s independence, approved prior to initiation, and to ensure that the Audit Committee has adequate information to assess the types of services being performed and fee amounts on an ongoing basis. The Audit Committee has delegated to its Chair, Mr. Jacobi, the authority to pre-approve services between meetings when necessary, provided that the full Committee is apprised of the services approved at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Information Concerning Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

Todd J Mullenger, age 51, has served as an Executive Vice President and our Chief Financial Officer since March 2007. Mr. Mullenger served as our Vice President, Treasurer from January 2001 to March 2007, as Vice President, Finance from August 2000 to January 2001 and prior to that as Vice President, Finance of our predecessor company. Mr. Mullenger graduated from the University of Iowa in 1981 with a B.B.A. degree and later earned an M.B.A. from Middle Tennessee State University.

Richard P. Seiter, age 61, has served as an Executive Vice President and our Chief Corrections Officer since January 2005. Prior to joining the Company and since 1999, Mr. Seiter served as an associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Seiter has served as a Warden with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (Federal Correctional Institution, Greenville, Illinois and Federal Prison Camp, Allenwood, Pennsylvania), as chief operating officer of Federal Prison Industries and as director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Mr. Seiter has authored two textbooks on corrections, Corrections: An Introduction (2005) and Correctional Administration: Integrating Theory and Practice (2002), both published by Prentice Hall, and has served as editor of Corrections Management Quarterly. Mr. Seiter holds a B.S. in Business Administration and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from Ohio State University.

G. A. Puryear IV, age 41, has served as an Executive Vice President and as our General Counsel and Secretary since January 2001. Mr. Puryear is a member of the boards of directors of NBT Holdings, Inc., a bank holding company and Nashville Bank and Trust, an FDIC member banking institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. His prior experience includes government service, including as legislative director and counsel for U.S. Senator Bill Frist and counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, and private law practice in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Puryear graduated from Emory University and received his J.D. from the University of North Carolina after which he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale, U.S. Circuit Court in Jackson, Mississippi. On March 26, 2010, Mr. Puryear notified the Company that he will be resigning to accept a position with another company after a brief transition period. Mr. Puryear’s resignation will constitute a voluntary resignation under his employment agreement (a description of which is in the “Employment Agreements” section beginning on page 43 of this Proxy Statement) with the Company.

Anthony L. Grande, age 40, has served as an Executive Vice President and our Chief Development Officer since July 2008. From September 2007 to July 2008, Mr. Grande served as our Senior Vice President, State Customer Relations. Mr. Grande joined CCA in 2003 to serve as Vice President of State Customer Relations. Prior to joining CCA, Mr. Grande served as the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development for the State of Tennessee. Mr. Grande earned his Masters of Education at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and his Bachelor of Arts from The American University in Washington, D.C.

Brian D. Collins, age 52, has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer since September 14, 2009. Prior to this appointment and since June 2006, Mr. Collins served as a Vice President, Operations, with responsibility for oversight of all aspects of the operations of one of the Company’s three operational business units. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Collins served for 25 years in a variety of roles with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., including personnel training and development, field operations and support management. Mr. Collins holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

     This section of the Proxy Statement discusses the objectives and elements of our compensation programs and the compensation awarded to our Named Executive Officers in 2009. This information should be read in conjunction with the Summary Compensation Table and the related tables and narratives that follow in this Proxy Statement. Based on SEC proxy disclosure rules, the following individuals were our Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009:

	•		John D. Ferguson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, resigned as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 15, 2009
	•		Damon T. Hininger, President and Chief Executive Officer, appointed as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 15, 2009
	•		Todd J Mullenger, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	•		Richard P. Seiter, Executive Vice President and Chief Corrections Officer
	•		G.A. Puryear IV, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
	•		Anthony L. Grande, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer
	•		William K. Rusak, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, resigned effective September 14, 2009

     Overview of Compensation Process. The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”) consists solely of “non-employee directors” as defined by SEC rules, “outside directors” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and “independent directors” as defined by NYSE listing standards, in each case as determined by our Board of Directors. In addition to a determination of independence, the Nominating and Governance Committee of our Board recommends Committee membership based on the knowledge, experience and skills that it deems appropriate in order to adequately perform the responsibilities of the Committee. Mr. Prann, Mr. Russell, Mr. Horne and Mr. Correnti are the current members of the Committee, with Mr. Russell serving as the Committee’s Chair.

     The Committee is responsible for setting the compensation of the Company’s executive officers, overseeing the Board’s evaluation of the performance of our executive officers and administering the Company’s equity-based incentive plans, among other things. The Committee undertakes these responsibilities pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Committee and the Board, which is reviewed at least annually by the Committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, no changes were made to the Committee’s charter. The charter may be viewed in full on the Company’s website, www.correctionscorp.com (under “Corporate Governance” on the Investors page).

     The Committee annually reviews executive compensation and the Company’s compensation policies to ensure that the Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers are rewarded appropriately for their contributions to the Company and that the overall compensation strategy supports the objectives and values of our organization, as well as stockholder interests. The Committee conducts this review and makes compensation decisions through a comprehensive process involving a series of meetings primarily occurring in the first and second quarters. Committee meetings typically are attended by the Committee members, the Committee’s compensation consultant and legal advisors, the Company’s Chairman and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. As with all Board committees, other Board members also have a standing invitation to attend the Committee’s meetings. The Committee meets in executive session to the extent the members deem necessary or appropriate to ensure independence. Additional information regarding Committee meetings is included above under “Corporate Governance — Board of Director Meetings and Committees.”

     Compensation Philosophy. The fundamental objectives of our executive compensation policies are to attract and maintain executive leadership for the Company that will execute our business strategy, uphold our Company values and deliver results and long-term value to our stockholders. Accordingly, the Committee develops compensation strategies and programs that will attract, retain and motivate highly qualified and high-performing executives through compensation that is:

	•		Performance-based: A significant component of compensation should be determined based on whether or not the Company meets performance criteria that are aligned with growth in stockholder value and do not encourage unreasonable risk-taking.
	•		Competitive: Pay for performance scales are established so the competitive positioning of an executive’s total compensation reflects the competitive positioning of the Company’s performance, i.e., high Company performance relative to peers results in high compensation relative to competitive benchmarks, and vice versa.
	•		Balanced: Performance-oriented features and retention-oriented features should be balanced so the entire program accomplishes the Company’s pay-for-performance and executive retention objectives, while encouraging prudent risk-taking that is aligned with the Company’s overall strategy.
	•		Fair: Compensation levels and plan design should reflect competitive practices, our performance relative to peer companies and the relationship of compensation levels from one executive to another.

     The Committee’s goal is to have a substantial portion of each executive officer’s compensation contingent upon the Company’s performance, as well as upon his or her individual performance. The Committee’s compensation philosophy for an executive officer emphasizes an overall analysis of the executive’s performance for the year, projected role and responsibilities, impact on execution of Company strategy, external pay practices, total cash and total direct compensation positioning relative to other Company executives and other factors the Committee deems appropriate. Our philosophy also considers employee retention, vulnerability to recruitment by other companies and the difficulty and costs associated with replacing executive talent. Based on these objectives, the Committee has determined that our Company should provide its executives with compensation packages comprised of three primary elements: (i) base salary, which takes individual performance into account and is designed to be competitive with median salary levels in an appropriate peer group; (ii) annual variable performance awards, payable in cash and based on the financial performance of the Company, in accordance with the goals established by the Committee; and (iii) long-term stock-based incentive awards which strengthen the commonality of interests between executive officers and our stockholders. The Committee believes that as a result of our Company’s balance of long- and short-term incentives, our use of different types of equity compensation awards that provide a balance of incentives and our stock ownership guidelines, our executive compensation program does not encourage our management to take unreasonable risks relating to our business.

      Compensation Programs for 2009

     Role of Compensation Consultant. Beginning in 2000 and continuing into 2010, the Committee has engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) to assist it in reviewing the Company’s compensation strategies and plans. At the Committee’s request, PwC has performed several analyses, including peer and market comparisons, internal pay equity, updating of the executive salary structure and modeling of executive compensation levels at different levels of Company performance. These analyses have assisted the Committee in determining if such strategies and plans were advisable based on the

Company’s current financial position and strategic goals, as well as developments in corporate governance and compensation design. PwC was selected due to its extensive experience in providing compensation consulting services. Additionally, the Committee is not aware of any potential conflicts of interest affecting its consultation services that PwC may have with either Board members or Company management.

     At the request of the Committee, in early 2008 PwC reexamined the peer group of business services companies that the Company had been using since 2003 for executive compensation benchmarking purposes to determine whether the peer group continued to provide appropriate comparisons for such purposes. Based on its analysis, PwC suggested including companies in other industries with strategies that resemble the Company’s strategy of building, owning and managing prison facilities. Accordingly, PwC and the Committee developed a new peer group of companies that, like the Company, generally met most of the following criteria:

	•		Owners and operators of multi-state facilities delivering services to third parties
	•		Minimum employee base of 10,000
	•		Market capitalization between $2 billion to $5 billion
	•		Annual EBITDA between $200 million to $600 million
	•		Investment in fixed assets of $1 billion to $5 billion
	•		Future growth heavily dependent upon the acquisition or development of additional facilities

     Based on PwC’s analysis, the Committee determined that companies meeting the above criteria reflect the nature, scale and complexity of issues that CCA faces as a business and, therefore, provide better peer comparisons for executive compensation purposes. Based on such criteria, the following 16 companies were selected to serve as CCA’s new peer group:

	•		Boyd Gaming Corporation
	•		Cinemark Holdings, Inc.
	•		Gaylord Entertainment Company
	•		The Geo Group, Inc.
	•		Quanta Services, Inc.*
	•		Wyndham Worldwide Corporation
	•		Brookdale Senior Living Inc.
	•		Community Health Systems, Inc.
	•		Convergys Corporation*
	•		Health Management Associates, Inc.
	•		HealthSouth Corporation
	•		Iron Mountain Incorporated*
	•		Lifepoint Hospitals, Inc.
	•		Manor Care, Inc.
	•		Psychiatric Solutions, Inc.
	•		Universal Health Services, Inc.

     At the request of the Committee, PwC then analyzed and compared the compensation of the Company’s senior management to the compensation offered by the companies included in this peer group, supplemented by general industry survey data of similarly sized companies. Using the survey data and primarily publicly available proxy statement data for the peer group, PwC’s study calculated competitive compensation levels (25th percentile, 50th percentile and 75th percentile) for executive base salary, total cash compensation (base salary plus annual cash incentives) and total compensation (total cash compensation plus fair value of equity incentive awards). The Committee used the results of this study, along with other factors discussed below, to help determine an appropriate executive compensation structure for 2009. As discussed further below, due to a variety of factors not related to the performance of the Company or our executive officers, the Committee did not make any adjustments to the base salary of the Company’s executive officers in 2009.

     Total Compensation Targets. Based on the market analysis performed by PwC as described above, internal pay equity considerations and a consideration of our compensation objectives and philosophies, with a particular emphasis on performance and equity as key drivers for executive compensation, the executive compensation structure set forth in the table below was developed by the Committee in 2008 in consultation with PwC for 2008 and 2009. The structure was used as a guideline by the Committee and does not necessarily reflect actual compensation for the Named Executive Officers for 2009, which is discussed in detail below and presented in the Summary Compensation Table on page 39 of this Proxy Statement. As discussed further herein, due to a variety of factors not related to the performance of the Company or our executive officers, the Committee did not make any adjustments to the base salary of the Company’s executive officers in 2009 as compared to 2008.

Position						Base Salary Structure(1)																LTIP Fair				Total Comp.
Level		Position Titles				Minimum				Midpoint				Maximum				Bonus(2)				Value(3)				Midpoint(4)
A		Chief Executive Officer				$	576,000			$	720,000			$	864,000				75	%		$	2,000,000			$	3,260,000
B		Chief Financial Officer and Chief Corrections Officer				$	268,000			$	335,000			$	402,000				75	%		$	800,000			$	1,386,250
C		General Counsel, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Chief Development Officer				$	224,000			$	280,000			$	336,000				75	%		$	415,000			$	905,000

     The Committee’s rationale for the competitive positioning of Total Compensation outlined in footnote 3 above is as follows:

	•		High financial growth targets relative to peer companies’ historical financial growth rates;
	•		Emphasis on performance-based variable pay instead of guaranteed forms of compensation;
	•		Objective of maintaining internal equity compensation multiples between Position Levels A and B compared to Position Level C; and
	•		Intent to deliver total compensation capable of retaining a premier management team.

     A specific analysis regarding each component of total executive compensation for 2009, including our philosophy on how certain elements of total direct compensation should compare to our benchmarks from the PwC market analsyis, is provided below. The primary components of the 2009 program were cash compensation, consisting of a mix of base salary and cash incentive plan compensation, and equity incentives, consisting of stock options with time-based vesting and restricted stock with performance-based vesting.

     Base Salary. We seek to provide base salaries for our executive officers that provide a secure level of guaranteed cash compensation in accordance with their experience, professional status and job responsibilities. Typically in the second quarter of each year, the Committee reviews and approves a revised annual salary plan for our executive officers, taking into account several factors, including prior year salary, responsibilities, tenure, performance, salaries paid by comparable companies for comparable positions, the Company’s overall pay scale and the Company’s recent financial performance. As part of the PwC study discussed above, the Committee determined that base salary generally should be set at the 50th percentile of the benchmarks from the PwC market analysis, subject to adjustment to account for the individual factors referenced above. This market positioning was based on the Committee’s objective of providing competitive base salaries for recruiting and retention purposes.

     The Committee also solicits the views and recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chairman when setting the base salaries of the other executive officers, given their respective insight into internal pay equity and positioning issues, as well as executive performance. At a Committee meeting typically held in the first or second quarter of each year, the Chief Executive Officer and our Chairman summarize their assessment of the performance during the previous year of each of the other executive officers. The Chief Executive Officer and our Chairman also provide their recommendations on any compensation adjustments. Following the presentation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chairman and Committee discussion, the Committee approves any base salary adjustments for these executives, based on such factors as the competitive compensation analysis, the Chief Executive Officer’s and Chairman’s assessment of individual performance, the Company’s performance and the location in the salary range of the executive’s current salary, general market conditions and internal pay equity considerations.

     The process is similar for determining any base salary adjustments for the Chief Executive Officer, except that the Chief Executive Officer does not provide the Committee with a recommendation. The Chief Executive Officer presents a self-assessment of his performance during the year to the Committee, which then approves any base salary adjustment based on the factors described above with respect to the other executives. To the extent it deems necessary and appropriate, the Committee meets in executive session to discuss adjustments to the base salaries of the Company’s executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer. Such adjustments typically take effect on or about July 1 of each year. Due to a deterioration in the overall economy and other factors previously described herein, but not related to the performance of the Company or of each of the executive officers, the Committee did not make any adjustments to the base salary of the Company’s executive officers in 2009.

     During 2009, the Committee approved or reaffirmed the base salaries for our Named Executive Officers in the following amounts:

						Prior Year Base				Percentage				2009 as % of Salary
Name		2009 Base Salary(1)				Salary				Increase				Midpoint
John D. Ferguson		$	749,858			$	749,858				0	%			104	%
Damon T. Hininger		$	600,000			$	325,000				84.6	%			83	%
Todd J Mullenger		$	290,000			$	290,000				0	%			87	%
Richard P. Seiter		$	310,655			$	310,655				0	%			93	%

						Prior Year Base				Percentage				2009 as % of Salary
Name		2009 Base Salary(1)				Salary				Increase				Midpoint
Anthony L. Grande		$	270,000			$	270,000				0	%			96	%
G.A. Puryear IV		$	257,094			$	257,094				0	%			92	%
William K. Rusak		$	267,806			$	267,806				0	%			96	%

     Cash Incentive Plan Compensation. In addition to base salary, cash incentive plan compensation provides our executive officers with the potential for significantly enhanced cash compensation based on the extent to which financial performance targets set in advance by the Committee are met. In December 2007, the Committee established a three-year set of performance targets that would serve as the basis for determining executive officers’ cash incentive plan compensation as well as whether performance-based restricted shares would vest. The Committee established performance objectives that would reward senior management for significant growth in earnings per share (“EPS”). The Committee chose EPS as the measure because it believes there is a strong relationship between EPS growth and growth in stockholder value. The Company’s 2009 Cash Incentive Plan was structured to provide incremental increases in bonus (as a percentage of base salary) based on EPS as follows:

EPS(1)		% of Base Salary
$1.12			0	%
$1.21			75	%
$1.31			100	%
$1.49			200	%

     The target for bonuses was set at 75% of base salary, which would be met if the Company achieved 12% compounded growth of EPS over a three-year period beginning in 2007. The maximum bonus was set at 200% of base salary, which would be met if the Company achieved 20% or more compounded EPS growth over a three-year period beginning in 2007. The EPS levels were based on research conducted by PwC on multi-year EPS growth rates among the peer companies as well as general industry information. As a result, the target EPS level was consistent with the 75th percentile multi-year EPS growth rate for the peer group, which was, in the Committee’s view, a challenging performance target at the time it was set. At the time the Committee established the Company’s 2009 Cash Incentive Plan in February 2009, it determined to exclude from the EPS figure used for bonus calculation purposes (“bonus EPS”) the impact of charges incurred for financing transactions approved by the Board of Directors and asset impairment write-offs to the extent either affected the Company’s 2009 EPS, to ensure that bonus EPS reflected an accurate comparison with the baseline EPS and that incentive cash bonuses accurately reflected the extent to which the Company achieved the performance objectives set by the Committee. For 2009, the Company’s reported EPS for 2009 was adjusted to exclude charges associated with refinancing activities completed during 2009, and was reduced by the impact of certain income tax benefits that were included in the Company’s reported EPS for 2009, because such benefits were charged to equity upon the adoption of a new accounting pronouncement in 2007. Based on bonus EPS of $1.32 for 2009, which represented a 10% growth of EPS during fiscal 2009, the following cash incentive plan compensation was awarded to our Named Executive Officers in February 2010: Damon T. Hininger ($398,895); Todd J Mullenger ($306,124); Richard P. Seiter ($327,927); Anthony L. Grande ($285,013); and G.A. Puryear IV ($271,389). Such amounts represented approximately 105.56% of each Named Executive Officer’s base salary earned during 2009. The Committee understands that in some situations using a single metric (EPS in this case) might have the potential to encourage management to take excessive risks. However, the Committee believes that these potential concerns are mitigated by the

Company’s share ownership guidelines and multi-year equity vesting schedules, which strongly discourage misguided attempts to maximize short-term EPS while risking long-term stability.

     Long-Term Stock-Based Incentive Compensation. As described above, one of our key compensation philosophies is that long-term stock-based incentive compensation strengthens and aligns the interests of our executive officers with our stockholders. Based on the PwC market analysis discussed above and the Company’s compensation philosophies, the Committee has determined that a compensation strategy utilizing a mix of stock options with time-based vesting and restricted stock and/or restricted stock units with performance-based vesting is in the best interest of stockholders. The Committee believes this strategy allows it to set optimal combinations of time- and performance-based vesting and annual and long-term performance goals. The Committee also believes this approach will reduce the dilutive impact of equity grants to management compared to equity grants consisting solely of stock options.

     Equity incentive awards are generally granted to our executive officers on an annual basis. Award levels in 2009 for the Company’s Named Executive Officers were consistent with the market-based 2009 compensation structure prepared with the advice of PwC and approved by the Committee. Additionally, for 2009, given the significant disruption in the stock market and the corresponding decline in the Company’s stock price during the period leading up to the Compensation Committee meeting in February 2009, the Committee decided to limit the number of restricted stock units and options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock awarded to 150% of the number of such awards made during 2008, even though such limitation had the effect of reducing LTIP fair value substantially below the target levels of LTIP fair value. Equity awards to Mr. Hininger reflected his appointment to President and Chief Operating Officer during 2008 while equity awards to Mr. Grande reflected his appointment to Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer during 2008. Further, Mr. Ferguson asked that he not be considered for equity awards at that time so that the Company would continue to have sufficient share awards under the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”) for awards to other employees. The Committee believed these awards were consistent with the Company’s retention, pay-for-performance and stockholder alignment objectives, and reflected the trend in the marketplace to place limits on the aggregate number of shares subject to awards given the decline in many companies’ share prices during the period of market turmoil, even though the value of the awards would be reduced below threshold levels established by companies for the positions being compensated. In making this decision, the Committee also considered existing equity holdings for each executive officer as well as gross proceeds from option exercises over the prior three-year period.

     During 2009, non-qualified options for the purchase of the Company’s common stock and restricted shares of the Company’s common stock were granted to our Named Executive Officers, pursuant to the Company’s 2008 Plan, as follows:

										Number of
										Performance-
										Based Vesting
		Shares Subject to Time-Based								Restricted
Name		Vesting Option Grant				Exercise Price				Stock Units
John D. Ferguson(1)			—				—				—
Damon T. Hininger(2)			67,607			$	10.73				19,515
			30,053			$	20.43				11,209
Todd J Mullenger			67,607			$	10.73				19,515
Richard P. Seiter			67,607			$	10.73				19,515
Anthony L. Grande			67,607			$	10.73				19,515
G.A. Puryear IV			55,934			$	10.73				16,146
William K. Rusak(3)			55,934			$	10.73				16,146

     The nonqualified options are subject to the terms of the 2008 Plan and the individual award agreements. The options vest in equal one third increments as of the first, second and third anniversary dates of the grant date, subject to acceleration as contemplated by the 2008 Plan. Each of the options has an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock at the time of the grant, as determined by the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE on the grant date.

     Restricted stock awards vest over time and are based upon achieving EPS performance objectives established by the Committee (achievable in increments or in the aggregate over a three-year period), with no vesting to occur below a base EPS performance level and incremental vesting from 50% to 100% of the award (target of 75% of the award) as established EPS targets are achieved. As with the EPS targets for the annual incentive plan, the EPS levels for vesting of restricted stock awards were based on research conducted by PwC on multi-year EPS growth rates among the peer companies as well as general industry information. The Committee will also adjust EPS targets for restricted stock vesting purposes in the same manner as it does when calculating bonus EPS (discussed above).

     Restricted stock awards vest over a three year period based on the extent to which the Company meets the annual and cumulative performance targets set by the Committee. Vesting may occur on an incremental or a cumulative basis, or a combination thereof. For example, for 2009 restricted stock awards:

•		Vesting will occur annually in one-third (1/3) increments if the Company achieves 10% compounded EPS growth for each of fiscal 2009 and 2010 and at least 8% compounded EPS growth over long term EPS growth targets previously established by the Committee for the full fiscal 2009-2011 vesting period.
•		If the Company does not achieve 10% compounded EPS growth in fiscal 2009 but does achieve 10% compounded EPS growth for fiscal 2009 and 2010, then two-thirds (2/3) will generally vest on the second anniversary of the grant date.
•		If compounded EPS is less than 10% as of the end of both fiscal 2009 and 2010, then generally on the third anniversary of the grant date: 50% of the shares will vest if compounded EPS growth for fiscal 2009-2011 is at least 4% but less than 6%, 75% will vest if compounded EPS growth for fiscal 2009-2011 is at least 6% but less than 8% and 100% will vest if compounded EPS growth for fiscal 2009-2011 is at least 8%.

     The following chart sets forth the cumulative EPS vesting targets for the 2009 restricted stock awards, with the incremental targets stated in the footnotes to the chart:

		Compounded				% of Restricted Shares Vested
Three-Year Cumulative EPS(1) (2)		Growth				After 3 Years
Less than $3.03			< 4	%			0	%(3)
$3.03			4	%			50	%(3)
$3.26			6	%			75	%
Greater than or equal to $3.51			8	%			100	%

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the shares of restricted stock will become fully vested upon the occurrence of death, Disability, or a Change in Control of the Company (each such condition as defined in the 2008 Plan). The restricted stock awards are further subject to the terms of the 2008 Plan and the individual award agreements.

     The dollar values of the 2009 grants of restricted stock, based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant, are as follows: John D. Ferguson ($0); Damon T. Hininger ($438,396); Todd J Mullenger ($209,396); Richard P. Seiter ($209,396); Anthony L. Grande ($209,396); G.A. Puryear IV ($173,247); and William K. Rusak ($173,247). Based on bonus EPS of $1.32 for 2009, representing EPS growth of 10%, the first one-third of the restricted shares awarded to Messrs. Hininger, Mullenger, Seiter, Grande, Puryear, and Rusak in 2009 vested during the first quarter of 2010.

     Retirement Plans. The Company matches a percentage of eligible employee contributions to our qualified 401(k) Plan. The matching contributions are made in cash and vest 20% after two years of service, 40% after three years of service, 80% after four years of service and 100% after five years of service. Of the Named Executive Officers, only Messrs. Seiter and Mullenger participated in the 401(k) Plan during 2009, with respect to whom the Company matched contributions in the amount of $11,600 for Mr. Mullenger and $12,250 for Mr. Seiter. Although Mr. Ferguson did not participate in the 401(k) Plan during 2009, he retains a balance in the plan based on contributions made in prior years. The Company also has a nonqualified deferred compensation plan covering our executive officers and key employees. Under the terms of the deferred compensation plan, participants are allowed to defer up to 50% of their annual base salary and 100% of their incentive cash bonus each plan year. The Company, in its discretion, may make matching contributions to the plan. Currently, the Company makes matching contributions equal to 100% of amounts deferred up to 5% of total cash compensation. Any compensation deferred and matching contributions, if any, earn a return determined based on the return received by the Company on certain investments designated as a funding mechanism for meeting its obligations under the plan. Participants are 100% vested in amounts deferred under the plan and earnings on those amounts, while the matching contributions vest in the same manner as under the 401(k) Plan. Participants generally may make an up front election to receive benefits accrued under the plan at any time after the end of the fifth year following the deferral or upon termination of employment, subject to certain

restrictions (e.g., certain key employees, including the Named Executive Officers, are subject to a six month waiting period). Messrs. Ferguson, Hininger, Mullenger, Seiter, Grande and Rusak each participated in the Company’s executive nonqualified deferred compensation plan during 2009, with respect to whom the Company matched contributions in the amounts of $85,410, $36,540, $21,100, $23,134, $29,606, and $30,503, respectively.

     Severance and Change in Control Benefits. We believe that reasonable severance and change in control benefits are necessary in order to recruit and retain effective senior managers. These severance benefits reflect the fact that it may be difficult for such executives to find comparable employment within a short period of time and are a product of a generally competitive recruiting environment within our industry. We also believe that a change in control arrangement will provide an executive security that will likely reduce the reluctance of an executive to pursue a change in control transaction that could be in the best interests of our stockholders. In addition, we have sought to maintain a high level of consistency in the contractual terms applicable to all members of the executive team, including those who were initially retained during the period around the year 2000 when the Company was experiencing substantial financial upheaval and uncertainty regarding the viability of its capital structure and to whom the Committee thus believed it appropriate to provide certain assurances, including protections in the event of a change in control of the Company. The executive employment agreements and the potential costs in the event of a change in control are reviewed periodically by the Compensation Committee and the Committee stays abreast of developments and suggested best practices in compensation structure and design. Moreover, the Company plans to undertake a comprehensive review of the provisions of the employment agreements (including protections provided in the event of a change in control) upon the expiration of each agreement. For a detailed discussion of potential severance and change in control benefits, see “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control,” beginning on page 48 of this Proxy Statement.

     Perquisites and Other Benefits. The Company has previously paid relocation expenses, either in the form of reimbursement or a lump sum payment, to the Named Executive Officers who have relocated to Nashville, Tennessee in order to assume their positions with the Company, and has made tax gross up payments to such officers to cover income tax associated with such payments. No such relocation and tax gross up payments were made to the Named Executive Officers during 2009. The Named Executive Officers are also eligible for benefits generally available to and on the same terms as the Company’s employees who are exempt for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act, including health insurance, disability insurance, dental insurance and life insurance. Pursuant to their employment agreements and in order to encourage community involvement, the Named Executive Officers are also eligible for reimbursement for certain civic and professional memberships that are approved in advance by the Company. The Company also pays for physicals for executive officers up to $2,000 per individual on an annual basis.

     Stock Ownership Guidelines and Equity Grant Timing

     Stock Ownership Guidelines. During the first quarter of 2007, the Board of Directors adopted stock ownership guidelines for the Company’s executive officers and directors, effective March 1, 2007 (the “Effective Date”). The guidelines provide that the Company’s executive officers are expected to own a fixed number of shares of common stock of the Company equal to three times such executive officer’s base salary in effect as of the Effective Date divided by the Company’s closing common stock price, as reported on the NYSE, on the Effective Date. For any individual who became an executive officer after the Effective Date, base salary and closing common stock price are determined based on such executive officer’s date of hire or promotion, as applicable. Subject to a limited hardship exemption, executive officers are expected to meet these ownership guidelines by the later of (1) March 1, 2012 or (2) five

years following their date of hire or promotion, as applicable. The following may be used in determining share ownership:

	•		shares of common stock owned outright by the executive officer and his or her immediate family members who share the same household, whether held individually or jointly;
	•		shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units where the restrictions have lapsed;
	•		shares acquired upon stock option exercise;
	•		shares purchased in the open market; and
	•		shares held in trusts (due to complexities of trust accounts, requests to include shares held in trust must be reviewed and approved by the Committee).

The guidelines were based, in part, on information provided by PwC that summarized the frequency of such programs at Fortune 500 companies and reported on the most common types of such programs. Based on such research, the Board of Directors determined that 3X was a fair, yet challenging, base salary multiple for share ownership and that five years was a reasonable time period during which executives would be able to comply. The Committee believes that these ownership guidelines encourage executive officers and directors of the Company to act in the long-term interests of our shareholders, while discouraging excessive risk-taking.

     Our guidelines and the compliance status of the Company’s Named Executive Officers as of March 17, 2010 (excluding Mr. Rusak, to whom the guidelines no longer apply) are shown in the table below.

		Shares Needed to				Current Number of
Name		Comply with Guidelines				Shares Held(1)				Compliance Date
Damon T. Hininger			74,135				22,269			October 15, 2014
Todd J Mullenger			32,271				25,351			March 16, 2012
Richard P. Seiter			33,695				49,513			March 1, 2012
Anthony L. Grande			30,348				21,620			August 21, 2013
G. A. Puryear IV			27,885				44,898			March 1, 2012
John D. Ferguson			81,332				748,985	(2)		March 1, 2012

     Grant Timing Policy. To ensure that our equity compensation awards are granted appropriately, we have the following practices regarding the timing of equity compensation grants and for stock option exercise price determinations:

•

Grants of stock options and restricted stock for executive officers are typically made on the date of the Company’s February Compensation Committee meeting, after the Committee has had the opportunity to review full year results for the prior year and consider the Company’s anticipated results for the current year.

	•		Each stock option that was granted in fiscal 2009 had an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the time of grant, as determined by the closing market price on the grant date.
	•		The Committee occasionally approves additional equity incentive awards in certain special circumstances, such as upon an executive officer’s initial employment with the Company, the promotion of an executive officer to a new position or in recognition of special contributions made by an executive officer. For grants to executive officers, all such grants are approved by the Committee with an effective date of grant on or after the date of such approval. If the grant date is after the date of approval, it is on a date that is specified by the Committee at the time of approval.
	•		The Company strives to ensure that equity grants are made following the public release of important information such as year-end results or anticipated results for the succeeding year.

     Compensation Decisions for 2010

     Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Although the Company has historically made annual grants of performance-based restricted stock to its executive officers, beginning in February 2009 the Committee decided to make grants of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to its executive officers in lieu of restricted stock pursuant to the terms of the 2008 Plan. The primary reason for granting RSUs was to provide recipients with the option to elect to defer the receipt of shares upon vesting in accordance with the applicable award agreement and deferral election form, thus enabling the deferral of applicable tax consequences to the recipient beyond the applicable vesting dates. As discussed below, the RSUs granted to executive officers vest in generally the same manner that the Company’s restricted stock (including restricted stock units issued in 2009), has traditionally vested.

     2010 Performance Criteria. The Committee adopted the following EPS targets for the 2010 Cash Incentive Plan:

EPS		% of Base Salary(1)
$1.15			0.00	%
$1.30			78.95	%
$1.34			100.00	%
$1.40			150.00	%
$1.45			200.00	%

     Although the Company historically has established the cash incentive plan based on compounded growth rates over three-year periods, in light of the particularly challenging environment the Company is facing in 2010, the Committee decided to set EPS targets for the 2010 Cash Incentive Plan based on EPS guidance for 2010 set forth in the Company’s earnings news release for the year ended December 31, 2009, and on EPS growth rates over the $1.28 EPS achieved for 2009 adjusted for certain non-operating events outside the ordinary course. The EPS guidance for 2010 as set forth in the Company’s earnings news release ranged from $1.16 to $1.26. The target for bonuses remained at 75% of base salary, which will be met if the Company achieves 1.6% EPS growth over 2009. The maximum bonus was set at 200% of base salary, which will be met if the Company achieves 13.3% or more EPS growth over 2009.

     Additionally, the Committee determined that the vesting of 2010 restricted stock unit awards for executive officers will be based on annual compounded EPS growth and three-year cumulative EPS

targets. The following chart sets forth the cumulative vesting EPS targets for the 2010 restricted stock unit awards:

		Compounded				% of Restricted Share Units
Three-Year Cumulative EPS(1) (2)		Growth				Vested After 3 Years
Less than $3.09			< 2	%			0	%(3)
$3.09			2	%			50	%(3)
$3.40			4	%			75	%
Greater than or equal to $3.72			6	%			100	%

     As part of its establishment of EPS targets, the Committee also determined that it will adjust EPS for bonus and restricted stock unit vesting purposes to exclude certain limited non-operating events outside the ordinary course, such as refinancing charges incurred by the Company and future financing or other transactions.

     2010 Equity Grants. During February 2010, the Committee made awards of stock options and performance-based restricted stock units to certain of its executive officers. The table below summarizes the 2010 equity incentive grants to certain of the Company’s executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers (except for Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Rusak), which reflects the Committee’s determination that LTIP values for these individuals should generally be aligned with a 50/50 blend of competitive 50th and 75th percentiles for position levels within the benchmarks from the PwC market analysis (except for the General Counsel and Chief Human Resources Officer, to whom the Committee has aligned LTIP values with the 75th percentile).

		Time-Based Vesting				Exercise				Performance-Based
Name		Option Grant				Price(1)				Vesting RSUs(2)
Damon T. Hininger			107,984			$	20.65				39,952
Todd J Mullenger			51,989			$	20.65				19,235
Richard P. Seiter			51,989			$	20.65				19,235
Anthony L. Grande			51,989			$	20.65				19,235
G.A. Puryear IV			42,985			$	20.65				15,904

     Company Tax and Accounting Implications

     Deductibility of Executive Compensation. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 limits the deductibility on the Company’s tax return of compensation over $1.0 million to the Chief Executive Officer or any of the other four most highly compensated executive officers serving at the end of the fiscal year unless, in general, the compensation is paid pursuant to a plan which is performance-related, non-discretionary, and has been approved by our stockholders. The Compensation Committee’s actions with respect to Section 162(m) in 2009 were to make reasonable efforts to ensure that compensation was deductible to the extent permitted while simultaneously providing appropriate rewards for performance. The Committee intends to structure performance based compensation awarded in the future to executive officers who may be subject to Section 162(m) in a manner that satisfies the relevant requirements. The Committee, however, reserves the authority to award non-deductible compensation as deemed appropriate. Further, because of ambiguities and uncertainties as to the application and interpretation of Section 162(m) and related regulations, no assurance can be given that compensation intended to satisfy the requirements for deductibility under Section 162(m) will in fact do so.

Report of the Compensation Committee

     The following Report of the Compensation Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this Report by reference therein.

     Our Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth above with our management. Taking this review and discussion into account, the undersigned Committee members recommended to the Board of Directors that the Board approve the inclusion of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for filing with the SEC.

Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:

Joseph V. Russell, Chair
John D. Correnti
John R. Horne
John R. Prann, Jr.

Summary Compensation Table

     The following table summarizes the compensation paid with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 to (i) John D. Ferguson, our former principal executive officer, (ii) Damon T. Hininger, our current principal executive officer, (iii) Todd J Mullenger, our principal financial officer, (iv) our other three most highly compensated executive officers who were serving in such capacities as of December 31, 2009, and (v) William K. Rusak, our former Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”). Effective October 15, 2009, John D. Ferguson retired as Chief Executive Officer but remains Chairman of the Board of Directors. Also effective October 15, 2009, Damon T. Hininger was appointed to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

																										Change in
														Restricted								Non-Equity				Nonqualified
														Stock				Option				Incentive Plan				Deferred
														Awards				Awards				Compensation				Compensation				All Other
Name and Principal Position		Year				Salary ($)				Bonus				($)(1)				($)(2)				($)(3)				Earnings ($)(4)				Comp.($)(5)				Total ($)
John D. Ferguson(6)			2009			$	749,858				—			$	0			$	0			$	791,551			$	19,866			$	88,362			$	1,649,637
Chairman of the			2008			$	737,179				—			$	694,994			$	695,003			$	958,333			$	24,925			$	93,242			$	3,203,676
Board and Former Chief Executive Officer			2007			$	712,249				—			$	695,139			$	641,784			$	1,068,374			$	16,435			$	90,893			$	3,224,874
Damon T. Hininger(7)			2009			$	377,885				—			$	438,396			$	477,798			$	398,895			$	2,483			$	38,090			$	1,733,547
President and Chief			2008				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
Executive Officer			2007				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
Todd J Mullenger			2009			$	290,000				—			$	209,396			$	248,794			$	306,124			$	8,380			$	33,841			$	1,096,535
Executive Vice President			2008			$	280,000				—			$	347,497			$	347,497			$	364,000			$	4,858			$	32,773			$	1,376,625
and Chief Financial Officer			2007			$	253,527				—			$	335,442			$	305,086			$	352,568			$	455			$	21,340			$	1,268,418
Richard P. Seiter			2009			$	310,655				—			$	209,396			$	248,794			$	327,927			$	5,170			$	36,608			$	1,138,550
Executive Vice President			2008			$	305,402				—			$	347,497			$	347,497			$	397,023			$	5,307			$	38,651			$	1,441,377
and Chief Corrections			2007			$	295,075				—			$	347,649			$	320,892			$	442,613			$	2,745			$	37,393			$	1,446,367
Officer
Anthony L. Grande(8)			2009			$	270,000				—			$	209,396			$	248,794			$	285,013			$	2,783			$	30,669			$	1,046,655
Executive Vice			2008				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
President and Chief			2007				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
Development Officer
G. A. Puryear IV			2009			$	257,094				—			$	173,247			$	205,837			$	271,389				—			$	1,014			$	908,581
Executive Vice			2008			$	252,747				—			$	287,516			$	287,502			$	328,571				—			$	1,035			$	1,157,371
President, General			2007			$	244,200				—			$	287,638			$	265,506			$	366,300				—			$	1,070			$	1,164,714
Counsel, and Secretary
William K. Rusak(9)			2009			$	267,806				—			$	173,247			$	205,837			$	282,696			$	2,965			$	31,558			$	964,109
Former Executive			2008			$	263,278				—			$	287,506			$	287,498			$	342,262			$	2,805			$	33,320			$	1,216,669
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer			2007			$	254,375				—			$	287,638			$	265,506			$	381,562			$	936			$	23,209			$	1,213,226

	•		Matching contributions allocated by the Company to (i) Mr. Ferguson ($85,410); Mr. Hininger ($36,540); Mr. Mullenger ($21,100); Mr. Seiter ($23,134); Mr. Grande ($29,606); and Mr. Rusak ($30,503) pursuant to the Company’s Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, and (ii) Mr. Mullenger ($11,600) and Mr. Seiter ($12,250) pursuant to the Company’s 401(k) Savings Plan.
	•		Payment by the Company of life insurance premiums on behalf of each of the Named Executive Officers.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2009

     The following table sets forth the grants of plan-based awards that were made to the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

																														All Other				All Other
																														Stock				Option
																														Awards:				Awards:				Exercise
						Estimated Possible Payouts Under																								Number				Number of				or Base				Grant Date
						Non-Equity Incentive Plan												Estimated Future Payouts Under												of Shares				Securities				Price of				Fair Value
						Awards(1)												Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2)												of Stock				Underlying				Option				of Stock
		Grant				Threshold				Target				Maximum				Threshold				Target				Maximum				or Units				Options (#)				Awards				and Option
Name		Date				($)				($)				($)				(#)				(#)				(#)				(#)				(3)				($/sh)(4)				Awards ($)
John D. Ferguson (5)			N/A			$	216,334			$	562,394			$	1,499,716
Damon T. Hininger			2/18/2009																9,758				14,636				19,515															$	209,396
			2/18/2009																																67,607			$	10.73			$	248,794
			N/A			$	109,020			$	283,414			$	755,770
			8/13/2009																5,605				8,407				11,209															$	229,000
			8/13/2009																																30,053			$	20.43			$	229,004
Todd J Mullenger			2/18/2009																9,758				14,636				19,515															$	209,396
			2/18/2009																																67,607			$	10.73			$	248,794
			N/A			$	83,665			$	217,500			$	580,000
Richard P. Seiter			2/18/2009																9,758				14,636				19,515															$	209,396
			2/18/2009																																67,607			$	10.73			$	248,794
			N/A			$	89,624			$	232,991			$	621,310
Anthony L. Grande			2/18/2009																9,758				14,636				19,515															$	209,396
			2/18/2009																																67,607			$	10.73			$	248,794
			N/A			$	77,895			$	202,500			$	540,000
G. A. Puryear IV			2/18/2009																8,073				12,110				16,146															$	173,247
			2/18/2009																																55,934			$	10.73			$	205,837
			N/A			$	74,172			$	192,821			$	514,188
William K. Rusak (6)			2/18/2009																8,073				12,110				16,146															$	173,247
			2/18/2009																																55,934			$	10.73			$	205,837
			N/A			$	77,262			$	200,855			$	535,612

Employment Agreements

     Damon T. Hininger, Todd J Mullenger, Anthony L. Grande, G.A. Puryear IV and Richard P. Seiter. The Company has employment agreements with Damon T. Hininger, Todd J Mullenger, Anthony L. Grande, G.A. Puryear IV and Richard P. Seiter that expire on December 31, 2010 and, except for Messrs. Mullenger, Puryear and Seiter, are subject to one automatic one-year renewal unless the Company or the executive provide notice of non-renewal at least 60 days in advance of the expiration of the term. Each of these agreements provides for an annual salary, as well as customary benefits, including life and health insurance, and reimbursement for certain civic and professional memberships that are approved in advance by the Company. Compensation payable under the employment agreements is subject to annual review by the Board of Directors, or a committee or subcommittee thereof to which compensation matters have been delegated, and may be increased based on the executive’s personal performance and the performance of the Company.

     Pursuant to each of these employment agreements, if we terminate the executive “without cause,” we are generally required to pay the executive a cash severance equal to their current base salary. Additionally, in the event of termination of employment by the Company (other than for “cause”) or resignation for “good reason” in connection with a “change in control,” the executives are entitled to receive an amount equal to 2.99 times their base salary as well as certain other benefits. These potential severance and change in control benefits are discussed in detail below under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

     William K. Rusak. The Company had an employment agreement with William K. Rusak, which prior to stepping down as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of the Company contained generally the same terms and conditions as the Company’s employment agreements with Messrs. Hininger, Mullenger, Grande, Puryear and Seiter. Effective as of September 14, 2009, Mr. Rusak’s employment agreement was terminated. However, Mr. Rusak remains with the Company as an “at will” employee and will continue to serve as a non-executive employee of the Company until June 2010, at which time his employment with the Company will terminate. Mr. Rusak will continue to receive his current base salary and customary benefits, including life and health insurance, through June 2010. Mr. Rusak was entitled to receive a bonus for the 2009 fiscal year under the terms of his employment

agreement but he is no longer entitled to receive severance or other benefits as a result of termination “without cause” or a change in control.

     John D. Ferguson. The Company had an employment agreement with John D. Ferguson, which prior to stepping down as Chief Executive Officer of the Company provided for an annual salary, as well as customary benefits, including life and health insurance. Effective as of October 15, 2009, Mr. Ferguson’s employment agreement was terminated and the Company and Mr. Ferguson entered into a letter agreement to establish and clarify that Mr. Ferguson would continue as an “at will” employee of the Company and remain the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company subject to election by CCA’s stockholders. The letter agreement also clarified that while Mr. Ferguson continues to be employed by or serve as a director of the Company, restrictions on his employment regarding noncompetition, non-solicitation and confidentiality and non-disclosure remain in full force and effect. Mr. Ferguson will continue to serve as an “at will” employee of the Company. Mr. Ferguson will receive a reduced salary and customary benefits, including life and health insurance, during his employment with the Company. Mr. Ferguson is also entitled to participate in the Company’s 2010 Cash Incentive Plan. Upon termination of employment, Mr. Ferguson is entitled to receive the contractual severance payment, which the Company accrued during August 2009 upon receipt of Mr. Ferguson’s notification to step down as Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to the terms of his previous employment agreement. While the provisions of his previous employment agreement governing post-agreement obligations will remain effective upon termination of employment, Mr. Ferguson is no longer entitled to receive other benefits as a result of termination “without cause” or a change in control, although the vesting of unvested stock options or restricted stock units may still be accelerated upon the occurrence of a change in control. Mr. Ferguson was also entitled to receive a bonus for the 2009 fiscal year under the terms of his previous employment agreement.

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2009 Fiscal Year-End

     The following table sets forth information concerning (1) unexercised options, (2) stock that has not vested and (3) equity incentive plan awards for each of the Named Executive Officers that remained outstanding as of December 31, 2009.

		Option Awards																				Stock Awards
										Equity																								Equity Incentive
										Incentive																				Equity Incentive				Plan Awards:
										Plan Awards:																Market				Plan Awards:				Market or
		Number of				Number of				Number of												Number of				Value of				Number of				Payout Value of
		Securities				Securities				Securities												Shares or				Shares or				Unearned				Unearned
		Underlying				Underlying				Underlying												Units of				Units of				Shares, Units or				Shares, Units or
		Unexercised				Unexercised				Unexercised				Option				Option				Stock That				Stock That				Other Rights				Other Rights
		Options (#)				Options (#)				Unearned				Exercise				Expiration				Have Not				Have Not				That Have Not				That Have Not
Name		Exercisable				Unexercisable(1)				Options (#)				Price ($)				Date				Vested (#)				Vested (#)				Vested (#)(2)				Vested ($)
John D. Ferguson(3)			1,082											$	5.70				2/14/2012												26,081			$	640,289
			50,336				25,168							$	26.53				2/16/2017
			30,048				60,095							$	26.71				2/20/2018
Damon T. Hininger			5,625											$	13.06				2/16/2015												40,588			$	996,435
			10,152				4,826							$	14.27				2/15/2016
			5,704				5,704							$	26.53				2/16/2017
			10,808				21,617							$	26.71				2/20/2018
			3,978				7,956							$	28.21				8/14/2018
							67,607							$	10.73				2/18/2019
							30,053							$	20.43				8/13/2019
Todd J Mullenger			7,836											$	5.58				2/12/2013												32,557			$	799,274
			24,600											$	9.99				2/17/2014
			16,876											$	13.06				2/16/2015
			14,478				4,826							$	14.27				2/15/2016
			5,704				5,704							$	26.53				2/16/2017
			17,563				8,781							$	25.20				3/16/2017
			15,024				30,047							$	26.71				2/20/2018
							67,607							$	10.73				2/18/2019
Richard P. Seiter			23,800											$	14.27				2/15/2016												32,557			$	799,274
			25,168				12,584							$	26.53				2/16/2017
			15,024				30,047							$	26.71				2/20/2018
							67,607							$	10.73				2/18/2019
Anthony L. Grande			8,300											$	9.99				2/17/2014												27,074			$	664,667
			11,250											$	13.06				2/16/2015
			9,652				4,826							$	14.27				2/15/2016
			5,704				5,704							$	26.53				2/16/2017
			10,808				21,617							$	26.71				2/20/2018
							67,607							$	10.73				2/18/2019
G. A. Puryear IV			38,379											$	9.99				2/17/2014												26,555			$	651,925
			18,500											$	13.06				2/16/2015
			35,400											$	14.27				2/15/2016
			20,824				10,412							$	26.53				2/16/2017
			11,730				23,460							$	28.21				8/14/2018
							55,934							$	10.73				2/18/2019
William K. Rusak(4)			20,824				10,412							$	26.53				2/16/2017												26,936			$	661,279
			12,430				24,859							$	26.71				2/20/2018
							55,934							$	10.73				2/18/2019