Wackenhut is a multinational corporation, based in Florida, which runs state prisons in various parts of the United States and Australia. The group was criticized following the 1999 stabbing of New Mexico guard Ralph Garcia. Critics argued that Wackenhut decreased prison security, by as much as 75%, in order to increase profits. Wackenhut has also been criticized (and praised) for permitting abusive behavior, by guards, against inmates.
Wackenhut has been further criticized by state officials who argue that Wackenhut fails to provide the services it offers, thus forcing the state to pick up the tab. For example, New Mexico maintained a force of police for the purposes of combating the relatively high-level of prison riots which occur in Wackenhut prisons.