N.Y., Other State Pensions Slow to Divest From Private Prisons

State public pensions are taking their time divesting from three companies that own, operate, or have ties with private prisons and immigration detention centers, despite pressure from unions, investors, and protesters.

Public pension plans in New York, California, and Ohio are among the top 100 investors in Geo Group, CoreCivic and General Dynamics Information Technology Inc. Now, there’s a push in several states to pull the plug on the pensions’ investments in the companies. The American Federation of Teachers has called on pension funds—including the California State Teachers’ Retirement System and the California Public Employees’ Retirement System—to comb their ...