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EXHIBIT 99.1
Contact: Alex Singal (615) 263-3005
PRISON REALTY DECLARES 1999 REIT DIVIDEND
NASHVILLE, TENN., SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 - Prison Realty Trust, Inc.
(NYSE:PZN) announced today that its board of directors has declared a dividend
of $145.0 million payable on Friday, September 22, 2000 to the Company's common
stockholders of record as of Thursday, September 14, 2000, in connection with
the Company's election to be taxed and qualify as a real estate investment
trust, or REIT, with respect to its 1999 taxable year. The dividend will be
payable in an aggregate of approximately 5,928,046 shares of a newly designated
series of the Company's preferred stock. As a result of the board's declaration,
the Company's common stockholders will be entitled to receive 5 shares of Series
B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series B Preferred Stock") for
every 100 shares of common stock held by them on the record date. The 1999 REIT
dividend is intended to satisfy the Company's remaining distribution
requirements in connection with its election to be taxed and qualify as a REIT
with respect to its 1999 taxable year.
The Series B Preferred Stock to be issued as the 1999 REIT dividend
will provide for dividends payable in additional shares of Series B Preferred
Stock at a rate of 12% per year for the first three years following the issuance
of the shares and cash dividends at a rate of 12% per year thereafter, payable
for the period from issuance through December 31, 2000 and quarterly
thereafter, in arrears. Shares of the Series B Preferred Stock will be callable
by the Company, at a price per share equal to the stated value of $24.46, plus
any accrued dividends, at any time after six months following the later of (i)
September 22, 2003 or (ii) the 91st day following the redemption of the
Company's $100.0 million 12% senior notes, due 2006. Shares of Series B
Preferred Stock will be convertible into shares of the Company's common stock
during two separate conversion periods: (i) from October 2, 2000 to October 13,
2000; and (ii) from December 7, 2000 to December 20, 2000, at a conversion price
based on the average closing price of Prison Realty's common stock on the New
York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") during the 10 trading days prior to the first day
of the applicable conversion period.
The Company has applied to list the shares of Series B Preferred Stock,
and the shares of the company's common stock into which the Series B Preferred
Stock is convertible, on the NYSE, pending official notice of issuance.
The dividend is necessary in order for the Company to maintain its
status as a REIT for its 1999 taxable year, as required by the Company's
existing charter. Companies electing REIT status are required, under the
Internal Revenue Code, to distribute 95% of their taxable income and to
distribute all earnings and profits inherited from a taxable subchapter C
corporation as dividends. The Company has proposed a comprehensive
restructuring, pursuant to which the Company will, pending stockholder approval,
among other things, amend its charter to permit it to operate so as to be taxed
as a subchapter C corporation rather than as a REIT for federal income tax
purposes, commencing with its 2000 taxable year.
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The distribution of the Series B Preferred Stock will have certain tax
consequences for the Company's common stockholders. The distribution will
generally be treated as a dividend to the extent that it is deemed paid out of
the Company's current and accumulated earnings and profits. Accordingly, the
Company's common stockholders generally will be required to include the fair
market value of the Series B Preferred Stock as ordinary income on their tax
returns. To the extent the fair market value of the Series B Preferred Stock
exceeds the amount of the Company's current and accumulated earnings and
profits, the distribution will be treated as a return of capital, which will
reduce each stockholder's basis in its shares of the Company's common stock (but
not below zero). Thereafter, the distribution will be treated as capital gain
from the sale or exchange of the Company's common stock, assuming the stock is
held as a capital asset at the time of the distribution. Future dividends on the
Series B Preferred Stock, whether in stock or cash, will generally be treated as
dividends to the extent of the Company's current and accumulated earnings and
profits as well.
ABOUT THE COMPANIES
Prison Realty's business is the development and ownership of
correctional and detention facilities. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee,
Prison Realty provides financing, design, construction and renovation of new and
existing jails and prisons that it leases to both private and governmental
managers. Prison Realty currently owns or is in the process of developing 50
correctional and detention facilities in 17 states, the District of Columbia,
and the United Kingdom.
The companies operating under the "Corrections Corporation of America"
name provide detention and corrections services to governmental agencies. The
companies are the industry leader in private sector corrections with
approximately 70,000 beds in 77 facilities under contract or under development
in the United States, Puerto Rico, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The
companies' full range of services includes design, construction, renovation and
management of new or existing jails and prisons, as well as long distance inmate
transportation services.
Prison Realty has previously announced a proposed restructuring,
pursuant to which, among other things, Prison Realty will merge with CCA and
elect to be taxed as a subchapter C corporation commencing with its 2000 taxable
year. Prison Realty is seeking stockholder approval of the restructuring at a
Special Meeting scheduled for September 12, 2000. Pending stockholder approval,
the companies intend to complete the restructuring on or before September 15,
2000. Prison Realty has filed definitive proxy materials with respect to the
restructuring with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and has commenced
delivery of such materials to its stockholders. Stockholders are urged to read
these materials carefully as they include important information with respect to
the companies and the proposed restructuring.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains statements that are forward-looking
statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These include statements regarding changes related to Prison Realty's
operation so as to be taxed as a subchapter C corporation rather than as a REIT
commencing with its 2000 taxable year, merger plans between Prison Realty and
CCA, and
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the integration of Prison Realty's and CCA's operations and businesses. These
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. Other
factors that could cause operating and financial results to differ are described
in Prison Realty's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Other risks may be detailed from time to time in reports to be filed with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Prison Realty does not undertake any
obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to forward-looking
statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date
hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
