Cornell Companies

Cornell Companies, Inc. was a leading provider of private correctional, detention, and behavioral health services in the United States. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company specialized in operating secure facilities and community-based programs for federal, state, and local government agencies. Its healthcare-related services focused on substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, and rehabilitative education for both adults and juveniles. The company's operations were organized into three primary divisions: Adult Secure Services, Adult Community-Based Services, and Abraxas Youth and Family Services. In August 2010, Cornell was acquired by The GEO Group for approximately $730 million, a transaction that significantly expanded GEO's presence in the behavioral healthcare and reentry sectors. At the time of the merger, Cornell managed a portfolio of 68 facilities with a total capacity of nearly 21,000 beds.