ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

1. ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

Corrections Corporation of America (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “CCA”) is the nation’s largest owner of privatized correctional and detention facilities and one of the largest prison operators in the United States. As of September 30, 2015, CCA owned or controlled 54 correctional and detention facilities, and managed an additional 11 facilities owned by its government partners, with a total design capacity of approximately 83,000 beds in 19 states and the District of Columbia.

CCA is a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) specializing in owning, operating and managing prisons and other correctional facilities and providing residential, community re-entry, and prisoner transportation services for governmental agencies. In addition to providing fundamental residential services, CCA’s facilities offer a variety of rehabilitation and educational programs, including basic education, faith-based services, life skills and employment training, and substance abuse treatment. These services are intended to help reduce recidivism and to prepare offenders for their successful re-entry into society upon their release. CCA also provides or makes available to offenders certain health care (including medical, dental and mental health services), food services, and work and recreational programs.

CCA began operating as a REIT for federal income tax purposes effective January 1, 2013. The Company provides correctional services and conducts other business activities through taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). A TRS is a subsidiary of a REIT that is subject to applicable corporate income tax and certain qualification requirements. The Company’s use of TRSs enables CCA to comply with REIT qualification requirements while providing correctional services at facilities it owns and at facilities owned by its government partners and to engage in certain other business operations. A TRS is not subject to the distribution requirements applicable to REITs so it may retain income generated by its operations for reinvestment.