Looking into one of ICE’s biggest contractors: CoreCivic

What this episode covers

For years, private prison companies have been a key partner to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as the government carried out its immigration agenda. In 2025, they’ve been rapidly expanding, though they’re also facing pushback in several states.  CoreCivic is one of the biggest private prison companies in the United States, whose pockets have gotten substantially deeper after President Donald Trump was reelected into office.  With larger projected revenue, CoreCivic is expanding its operations.  One place they’ve been eyeing is in Leavenworth, Kansas, where they’d like to reopen the Leavenworth Detention Center, which was closed in 2021.  They’re meeting fierce opposition, though, as many former CoreCivic corrections officers and community members are speaking out against it. In Episode 14, you’ll hear from William Rogers. He is a former employee of CoreCivic and has become a grassroots advocate speaking out against the Leavenworth Detention Center reopening.  The company is also facing hundreds of lawsuits that accuse the company of failing to keep detainees safe. Meanwhile, CoreCivic is facing hundreds of lawsuits across the country that accuse the company of failing to keep detainees safe. Most notably, Tennessee's largest state prison run by CoreCivic is drawing scrutiny from state officials who are questioning how the company handled a June 2025 riot at its Trousdale Turner Correctional Center. Tennessee Lookout reporter Sam Stockard will help explain how entrenched CoreCivic is in the Volunteer State. Finally, Evening Wrap newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching. Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer. Click here for the full transcript:  Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  CoreCivic receives Leavenworth planning commission approval in contentious meeting (Kansas Reflector) Private prison operator CoreCivic saw 55% increase in immigration detainee contracts (Tennessee Lookout) ‘Not the right location:’ Hanover supervisors, residents oppose DHS ICE facility (Virginia Mercury) For-profit immigration detention expands as Trump accelerates his deportation plans (Stateline) Photo: William Rogers speaks about his experience at the facility. Rogers wore a graphic shirt with images of injuries sustained by corrections officers while employed by CoreCivic. (Natasha Torkzaban for Kansas Reflector)