WORKING BEHIND FENCES Special in-depth report: Big business of prisons in Pinal County
By Melissa St. Aude | Casa Grande Dispatch
(Editor’s note: This is Part 2 of a 2-part series.)
Prisoners took a class at La Palma Correctional Center in Eloy, Ariz. The prison is operated by Corrections Corp. of America. (Dresner Partners/ Corrections)
Jennifer Weckwerth’s job is combination social worker, career coach and guidance counselor.
As a case manager for a private prison, Weckwerth schedules inmates for classes and programs and helps with the day-to-day issues that arise from living in custody.
“It’s a job that’s not for everybody, but I love it,” Weckwerth said.
The private prison industry is booming in Pinal County and Weckwerth is one of more than 2,450 people employed within it. Corrections Corporation of America, which operates four facilities in Eloy and two in Florence, is the largest provider in Pinal County and between its six facilities, employs 2,100 people.
