Privatized prison in Ohio gets 2nd chance at audit

COLUMBUS, Ohio - State prison officials in Ohio are visiting the lakeshore prison that became the nation's first privately owned state prison last year to see whether dozens of safety, health and security issues uncovered in a recent audit have been fixed.

Nashville, Tenn.-based Corrections Corporation of America was rebuked by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for conditions identified in a September audit of Lake Erie Correctional Facility.

The management review found mildew in showers, an unmarked urine specimen on a desk, and general conditions where both staff and inmates reported feeling unsafe.

Prisons department spokeswoman JoEllen Smith said state officials were re-auditing the facility Wednesday and Thursday.

CCA took over the prison on New Year's Eve in a deal worth $73 million. A spokesman said CCA will fix the problems.