Mississippi Closes Privately Operated Walnut Grove Correctional Facility

In September 2016, the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) closed the privately operated Walnut Grove Correctional Facility, which was under court monitoring since 2012 under a consent decree to ensure inmate safety. The state is considering alternate uses for the Walnut Grove facility. MDOC has proposed using the site as an alternative to incarceration, a reentry center, or as a fourth technical violation center.

The 1,500-bed facility opened in March 2001 and was initially operated by the state. The state began contracting with private prison management companies in 2004. Since 2012, the facility has been managed by Management . . .