EXHIBIT 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration
Statements and related Prospectuses of Corrections Corporation of America of our
report dated October 28, 2002 (except for paragraphs 12 and 13 of Note 24, as to
which the date is December 27, 2002), with respect to the 2001 consolidated
financial statements of Corrections Corporation of America and Subsidiaries
included in this Current Report on Form 8-K for the year ended December 31,
2001:

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-70625) pertaining to the Corrections
Corporation of America (formerly Prison Realty Trust) 1997 Employee Share
Incentive Plan

Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 333-41778) pertaining to the merger of
Corrections Corporation of America, a Tennessee corporation, with and into CCA
of Tennessee, Inc.

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-69352) pertaining to the Corrections
Corporation of America 2000 Stock Incentive Plan

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-69358) pertaining to the Corrections
Corporation of America 401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan

Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-69360) pertaining to the conversion of
certain of Corrections Corporation of America's subordinated convertible notes

                                                            /S/ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Nashville, Tennessee
December 27, 2002