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The small town of Mason, Tennessee, is divided over the reopening of a private prison to house ICE detainees. Facing financial struggles, the town voted to reopen the facility, promising 200 jobs and increased revenue. However, some residents oppose the plan, citing concerns about mistreatment of detainees and the prison's history of staffing issues and higher inmate death rates compared to government-run facilities. The decision comes after President Biden's ban on contracts with private prisons was reversed, allowing CoreCivic, the facility's owner, to resume operations. The town's future remains uncertain, balancing economic needs with ethical concerns.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.