<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001047469-04-036481
<TYPE>S-8
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>3
<FILING-DATE>20041208
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20041208
<EFFECTIVENESS-DATE>20041208
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>CORNELL COMPANIES INC
<CIK>0001016152
<ASSIGNED-SIC>8744
<IRS-NUMBER>760433642
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>S-8
<ACT>33
<FILE-NUMBER>333-121074
<FILM-NUMBER>041190720
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>1700 WEST LOOP SOUTH
<STREET2>STE 1500
<CITY>HOUSTON
<STATE>TX
<ZIP>77027
<PHONE>7136230790
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>1700 WEST LOOP SOUTH
<STREET2>STE 1500
<CITY>HOUSTON
<STATE>TX
<ZIP>77027
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>CORNELL CORRECTIONS INC
<DATE-CHANGED>19960604
</FORMER-COMPANY>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>S-8
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a2148264zs-8.htm
<DESCRIPTION>S-8
<TEXT>
<HTML>
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<BR>
<FONT SIZE=3 ><A HREF="#04HOU1737_1">QuickLinks</A></FONT>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December&nbsp;8, 2004  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><B> <hr noshade width=100% align=left size=4>
<hr noshade width=100% align=left size=1>  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Washington, D.C. 20549  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM S-8<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>CORNELL COMPANIES,&nbsp;INC.<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Delaware<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>76-0433642<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(I.R.S. employer identification no.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B>1700 West Loop South, Suite 1500<BR>
Houston, Texas<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Address of principal executive offices)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><B>77027<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Zip Code)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Cornell Companies,&nbsp;Inc. 2000 Director Stock Plan<BR>
Cornell Companies,&nbsp;Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Full title of the plan) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Harry J. Phillips, Jr.<BR>
Chief Executive Officer<BR>
1700 West Loop South, Suite 1500<BR>
Houston, Texas 77027<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Name and address of agent for service) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>(713)&nbsp;623-0790<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE  </B></FONT></P>

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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TH WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of Securities<BR>
to be Registered</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount<BR>
To be<BR>
Registered<BR>
(1)(3)</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed<BR>
Maximum<BR>
Offering Price<BR>
Per Share(2)</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed Maximum<BR>
Aggregate<BR>
Offering Price(2)</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of<BR>
Registration Fee</B></FONT><BR></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD COLSPAN=9><HR NOSHADE></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="33%"><FONT SIZE=2>Common Stock, par value $.001 per share</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>300,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$15.00</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$4,500,000.00</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$570.15</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD COLSPAN=9><HR NOSHADE></TD>
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<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Represents
the maximum number of additional shares that may be issued under the Cornell Companies,&nbsp;Inc. 2000 Director Stock Plan (100,000 shares) and the Cornell
Companies,&nbsp;Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (200,000 shares), and includes an indeterminate number of shares that may be issuable by reason of stock splits, stock dividends or similar
transactions. </FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Estimated
solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457(h) and (c), based on the average of the high and low sales price of a share of the Common
Stock on December&nbsp;6, 2004 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange with respect to 100,000 shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Cornell Companies,&nbsp;Inc. 2000 Director
Stock Plan and 200,000 shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Cornell Companies,&nbsp;Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan. </FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(3)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Includes
the Series&nbsp;A Junior Participating Preferred Stock Purchase Rights ("Rights") of the Company associated with the shares of Common Stock being registered. </FONT></DD></DL>
<BR>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><hr
noshade width=100% align=left size=1>
<hr noshade width=100% align=left size=4> </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to General Instruction E of Form&nbsp;S-8, the contents of Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-42444 relating to the Cornell Companies,&nbsp;Inc.
2000 Director Stock Plan described herein is incorporated herein by reference and the contents of Registration No.&nbsp;333-80187 relating to the Cornell Companies,&nbsp;Inc. Employee
Stock Purchase Plan described herein is incorporated herein by reference. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXPLANATION STATEMENT  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement is being filed pursuant to General Instruction E of Form&nbsp;S-8 to register additional shares of Common Stock in
connection with Cornell Companies,&nbsp;Inc. 2000 Director Stock Plan and the Cornell Companies,&nbsp;Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART II<BR>
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de1737_item_8._exhibits"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de1737_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>ITEM 8. EXHIBITS    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents are filed as a part of this Registration Statement: </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit No.</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="89%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>DESCRIPTION<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>5.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of Locke Liddell &amp; Sapp LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Locke Liddell &amp; Sapp LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>2</FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
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<A NAME="toc_jc1737_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas,
on the 8th day of December, 2004. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="39%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2>CORNELL COMPANIES,&nbsp;INC.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="39%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="54%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>HARRY J. PHILLIPS, JR.</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Harry J. Phillips, Jr.<BR>
Chairman of the Board and<BR>
Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="38%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Signature</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="35%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="22%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Date</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="38%" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="22%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>HARRY J. PHILLIPS, JR.</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> HARRY J. PHILLIPS, JR.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
(Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="22%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>December&nbsp;8, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>THOMAS R. JENKINS</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> THOMAS R. JENKINS</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
President and Chief Operating Officer</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="22%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
December&nbsp;8, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JOHN R. NIESER</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> JOHN R. NIESER</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Treasurer and Acting Chief Financial Officer<BR>
(Principal Financial Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="22%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
December&nbsp;8, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ANTHONY R. CHASE</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> ANTHONY R. CHASE</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="22%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
December&nbsp;8, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>D. STEPHEN SLACK</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> D. STEPHEN SLACK</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="22%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
December&nbsp;8, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>TUCKER TAYLOR</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> TUCKER TAYLOR</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="22%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
December&nbsp;8, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ROBERT F. VAGT</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> ROBERT F. VAGT</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="22%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
December&nbsp;8, 2004</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="38%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>MARCUS A. WATTS</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> MARCUS A. WATTS</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="22%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
December&nbsp;8, 2004</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>3</FONT></P>

<HR NOSHADE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ka1737_exhibit_index"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ka1737_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBIT INDEX    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit No.<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="89%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>DESCRIPTION<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>5.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of Locke Liddell &amp; Sapp LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="9%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Locke Liddell &amp; Sapp LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<BR>
<P><br><A NAME="04HOU1737_1">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<UL>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1737_1">ITEM 8. EXHIBITS</A></FONT><BR>
</UL>
<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1737_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ka1737_1">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></FONT><BR>
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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-5.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>a2148264zex-5_1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 5.1
<TEXT>
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<HEAD>
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<FONT SIZE=3 ><A HREF="#04HOU1737_2">QuickLinks</A></FONT>
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NAME="kg1737_exhibit_5.1"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_kg1737_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Exhibit&nbsp;5.1    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

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<TD COLSPAN=3 ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=5>LOCKE LIDDELL &amp; SAPP LLP<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2>ATTORNEYS &amp; COUNSELORS</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="26%" VALIGN="TOP"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>3400 CHASE TOWER</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="47%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="26%" ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(713)&nbsp;226-1200</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="26%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
600 TRAVIS STREET</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="47%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="26%" ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
FAX:&nbsp;(713)&nbsp;223-3717</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="26%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002-3095</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="47%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
AUSTIN&nbsp;&#149;&nbsp;DALLAS&nbsp;&#149;&nbsp;HOUSTON&nbsp;&#149;&nbsp;NEW&nbsp;ORLEANS</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="26%" ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
www.lockeliddell.com</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>December&nbsp;8, 2004 </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>Cornell
Companies,&nbsp;Inc.<BR>
1700 West Loop South, Suite 1500<BR>
Houston, Texas 77027 </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>Gentlemen:
</FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We
have acted as counsel for Cornell Companies,&nbsp;Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration, pursuant to a Registration Statement on
Form&nbsp;S-8 being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the offering of up to 100,000
additional shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), which may be issued under the Cornell Companies,&nbsp;Inc. 2000 Director Stock Plan (the "2000 Plan")
and 200,000 additional shares of Common Stock, which may be issued under the Cornell Companies,&nbsp;Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Employee Plan"). </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
such capacity, we have examined the corporate documents of the Company, including its Restated Certificate of Incorporation and its Amended and Restated Bylaws, each as amended, and
resolutions adopted by its board of directors and committees thereof. We have also examined the Registration Statement, together with the exhibits thereto, and such other documents which we have
deemed necessary for the purposes of expressing the opinion contained herein. We have relied on representations made by and certificates of the officers of the Company and public officials with
respect to certain facts material to our opinion. We have made no independent investigation regarding such representations and certificates. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Based
upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the 2000 Plan and the Employee Plan will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We
hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="39%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2>Very truly yours,</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="39%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
LOCKE LIDDELL&nbsp;&amp; SAPP LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="39%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
<BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="54%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
<BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>DAVID F. TAYLOR</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> David F. Taylor</FONT></TD>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_kg1737_1">Exhibit 5.1</A></FONT><BR>
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<TYPE>EX-23.1
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<FILENAME>a2148264zex-23_1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 23.1
<TEXT>
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NAME="km1737_exhibit_23.1"> </A>
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Exhibit&nbsp;23.1    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 of our report dated March&nbsp;11, 2004
relating to the financial statements, which appears in Cornell Companies,&nbsp;Inc.'s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2003. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>/s/
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>Houston,
Texas<BR>
December&nbsp;8, 2004 </FONT></P>

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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_km1737_1">Exhibit 23.1</A></FONT><BR>
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