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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

      We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8) pertaining to the Non-Employee Directors' Compensation Plan of
Corrections Corporation of America of our report dated February 6, 2004 (except
with respect to the matters discussed in the eleventh paragraph of Note 15 and
the second paragraph of Note 17, as to which the date is February 19, 2004),
with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Corrections Corporation
of America, included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 2003, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Nashville, Tennessee
May 11, 2004


