<PAGE>   1
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 13, 2001
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  -------------

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                  -------------

                       CORRECTIONS CORPORATION OF AMERICA
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               MARYLAND                                    62-1763875
     (State or Other Jurisdiction                       (I.R.S. Employer
           of Incorporation)                         Identification Number)

                            10 Burton Hills Boulevard
                           Nashville, Tennessee 37215
                                 (615) 263-3000
                   (Address, including zip code and telephone
                         number, including area code, of
                    registrant's principal executive offices)

                             ----------------------

      CORRECTIONS CORPORATION OF AMERICA 401(k) SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)

                             ----------------------

           John D. Ferguson                            Copy to:
Chief Executive Officer and President              Albert J. Bart, Esq.
  Corrections Corporation of America    Stokes Bartholomew Evans & Petree, P.A.
       10 Burton Hills Boulevard            424 Church Street, Suite 2800
      Nashville, Tennessee 37215              Nashville, Tennessee 37219
       Telephone: (615) 263-3000               Telephone: (615) 259-1450
       Facsimile: (615) 263-3010               Facsimile: (615) 259-1470

(Name, address, telephone number and facsimile number, including area code, of
agent for service)

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Title of Securities to Be       Amount to Be          Proposed Maximum            Proposed Maximum             Amount of
        Registered (1)              Registered       Offering Price per Share    Aggregate Offering Price   Registration Fee (2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>                  <C>                         <C>                        <C>
Plan interests related to
Corrections Corporation
of America 401(k)                An indeterminate
Savings and Retirement            amount of Plan
Plan (the "Plan")                    interests                  N/A                         N/A                      N/A
</TABLE>

(1) Pursuant to Rule 416(c) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), this Registration Statement covers an
indeterminate amount of Plan interests offered or sold pursuant to the Plan.

(2) Pursuant to Rule 457(h)(2) promulgated under the Securities Act, no
registration fee is required to be paid.



<PAGE>   2



                                EXPLANATORY NOTE

         This Registration Statement covers an indeterminate amount of plan
interests offered and sold pursuant to the Corrections Corporation of America
401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan (the "Plan"). All shares of common stock,
$0.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), of Corrections Corporation of
America, a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), purchased by the Plan consist
of previously-issued shares purchased by the Plan trustee in the open market.

         The Company, formerly known as Prison Realty Trust, Inc. and Prison
Realty Corporation, owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of CCA
of Tennessee, Inc., a Tennessee corporation ("CCA of Tennessee"). CCA of
Tennessee is the successor by merger to each of: (i) Corrections Corporation of
America, a Tennessee corporation formerly known as Correctional Management
Services Corporation; (ii) Prison Management Services, Inc., a Tennessee
corporation; and (iii) Juvenile and Jail Facility Management Services, Inc., a
Tennessee corporation. As a result of these mergers, CCA of Tennessee assumed
the Plan and became the Plan's sponsor and administrator.

                                     PART I

              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS

         The information called for in Part I of Form S-8 is not being filed
with or included in this Form S-8 (by incorporation by reference or otherwise)
in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission").

                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

         The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:

         (a)      The Company's Prospectus (the "Prospectus") filed with the
                  Commission on August 4, 2000 pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4)
                  promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
                  "Securities Act"), as supplemented on September 6, 2000,
                  included in its Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed with
                  the Commission on July 19, 2000 (Registration No. 333-41778)
                  (the "Registration Statement on Form S-4").

         (b)      The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 2000, filed with the Commission on April 17, 2001
                  (File No. 0-25245).

         (c)      The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
                  period ended March 31, 2001, filed with the Commission on May
                  15, 2001 (File No. 0-25245).


<PAGE>   3

         (d)      The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
                  period ended June 30, 2001, filed with the Commission on
                  August 13, 2001 (File No. 0-25245).

         (e)      The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the
                  Commission on February 16, 2001 (File No. 0-25245).

         (f)      The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the
                  Commission on May 8, 2001 (File No. 0-25245).

         (g)      The description of the Company's Common Stock contained under
                  the heading "Proposal to Approve the Merger - Prison Realty
                  Capital Stock" in the Company's Prospectus, including any
                  amendment or report filed subsequent to the date of this
                  Registration Statement for the purpose of updating such
                  description.

         In addition, all other documents and reports filed with the Commission
by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have
been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be
part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

         Only Plan interests are being registered hereunder. As such, pursuant
to the instructions to Form S-8, no description of such Plan interests is
required herein. All shares of Common Stock purchased by the Plan consist of
previously issued shares purchased by the Plan trustee in the open market.

ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

         None.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

         Article VI of the Company's Amended and Restated Charter provides that,
to the maximum extent that Maryland law from time to time permits limitation of
liability of directors or officers of corporations, no person who at any time
was or is a director or officer of the Company shall be personally liable to the
Company or its stockholders for money damages.

         Section 2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the "MGCL")
generally permits indemnification of any director made a party to any
proceedings by reason of service as a director unless it is established that:
(i) the act or omission of such person was material to the matter giving rise to
the proceedings and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and
deliberate dishonesty; (ii) such person actually received an improper personal
benefit in money, property or


<PAGE>   4

services; or (iii) in the case of any criminal proceedings, such person had
reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. The indemnity
may include judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually incurred by the director in connection with
the proceeding; but, if the proceeding is one by, or in the right of, the
corporation, indemnification is not permitted with respect to any proceeding in
which the director has been adjudged to be liable to the corporation, or if the
proceeding is one charging improper personal benefit to the director, whether or
not involving action in the director's official capacity, indemnification of the
director is not permitted if the director was adjudged to be liable on the basis
that personal benefit was improperly received. The termination of any proceeding
by conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or an entry
of an order of probation prior to judgment, creates a rebuttable presumption
that the director did not meet the requisite standard of conduct required for
permitted indemnification. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order
or settlement, however, does not create a presumption that the director failed
to meet the requisite standard of conduct for permitted indemnification.

         Under the provisions of the Company's bylaws, the Company is required
to indemnify a current or former director or officer for reasonable expenses
incurred if such individual has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in
defense of any proceeding arising out of such individual's official capacity.
Under the provisions of its bylaws, the Company is also required to indemnify
any current or former director, or any current or former officer in any
proceeding arising out of such individual's official capacity, unless it is
established that:

         -        the proceeding involves an act or omission of such individual
                  which was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding
                  and was either (i) committed in bad faith; or (ii) was the
                  result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

         -        the individual actually received an improper personal benefit
                  in money, property or services; or

         -        in the case of a criminal proceeding, the director had
                  reasonable cause to believe the act or omission was unlawful.

In addition, under Maryland law, the Company is required to indemnify a current
or former director or officer in any proceeding arising out of such individual's
official capacity if a court of appropriate jurisdiction determines such
individual is entitled to indemnification.

         Under Maryland law, any such indemnification may be against judgments,
penalties, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection
with the proceeding. However, if the proceeding is one by or in the right of the
corporation, the Company may not provide indemnification with respect of any
proceeding in which the individual is adjudged liable to the corporation. In
addition, if the proceeding is one charging improper personal benefit to the
individual whether or not involving action in the director's official capacity,
indemnification is not permitted if the director is adjudged to be liable on the
basis that personal benefit was improperly received.

<PAGE>   5

         Under the Company's bylaws, the Company shall pay or reimburse, in
advance of final disposition of a proceeding, reasonable expenses incurred by a
current or former director or officer, if such individual affirms in good faith
that he or she has satisfied the applicable standard of conduct necessary for
indemnification and agrees to repay amounts paid to such individual if it is
determined that such standard is not met. Under the Company's bylaws, the
Company may also provide to directors or officers additional indemnification or
payment or reimbursement of expenses to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland
law for directors of Maryland corporations.

         Indemnification under the provisions of Maryland law is not deemed
exclusive of any other rights, by indemnification or otherwise, to which a
director may be entitled under the charter, bylaws, any resolution of
stockholders or directors, any agreement or otherwise.

         The statute permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its officers,
employees and agents to the same extent as its directors. The Company's bylaws
provide that (i) the Company may, with the approval of its board of directors,
indemnify any employee or agent of the Company (or a predecessor) to the extent
to which the Company is required to indemnify its directors and officers and
(ii) the Company must indemnify its officers to the same extent it indemnifies
directors.

         The Company maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance to
insure against losses arising from claims made against its directors and
officers, subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in such policies.

ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER            DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
------            ----------------------
<S>               <C>

3.1               Amended and Restated Charter of the Company (previously filed
                  as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                  the year ended December 31, 2000 as filed with the Commission
                  on April 17, 2001 (File No. 0-25245), and incorporated herein
                  by reference).

3.2               Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (previously
                  filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
                  10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 as filed with the
                  Commission on April 17, 2001 (File No. 0-25245), and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

10.1              Corrections Corporation of America 401(k) Savings and
                  Retirement Plan, as amended.

23.1              Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

25                Power of Attorney (included on signature page).

99                Annual Report on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31,
                  2000.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   6

ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS.

(a)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

         (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

                  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
         the Securities Act;

                  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
         after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most
         recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
         aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
         in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
         increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
         dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
         registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
         maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
         with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
         changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in
         the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
         Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; and

                  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the
         plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration
         Statement or any material change to such information in this
         Registration Statement.

         (2)      That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

         (3)      To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

(b)      The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of the employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

(c)      Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions,

<PAGE>   7

or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.



<PAGE>   8



                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the
requirements for filing on Form 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 Nashville, state of Tennessee, on the 11th day of
September, 2001.


                                    CORRECTIONS CORPORATION OF AMERICA


                                    By:/s/ John D. Ferguson
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                          John D. Ferguson
                                          Chief Executive Officer and President


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and
appoints William F. Andrews, John D. Ferguson and Irving E. Lingo, Jr., and each
of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned,
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in the name, place
and stead of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement
and any registration statement relating to the same offering as the Registration
Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, and hereby grants
to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority
to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be
done, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
date indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE                      TITLE                                       DATE
---------                      -----                                       ----
<S>                            <C>                                         <C>


/s/ John D. Ferguson           Chief Executive Officer and President       September 11, 2001
------------------------       (Principal Executive Officer),
John D. Ferguson               Vice Chairman of the Board of
                               Directors and Director
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   9




<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>                                         <C>
/s/ Irving E. Lingo, Jr.       Executive Vice President and                September 11, 2001
-------------------------      Chief Financial Officer
Irving E. Lingo, Jr.           (Principal Financial and
                               Accounting Officer)


/s/ William F. Andrews         Chairman of the Board of                    September 11, 2001
------------------------       Directors and Director
William F. Andrews


/s/ Lucius E. Burch, III       Director                                    September 11, 2001
-------------------------
Lucius E. Burch, III


/s/ John D. Correnti           Director                                    September 11, 2001
-------------------------
John D. Correnti


/s/ C. Michael Jacobi          Director                                    September 11, 2001
-------------------------
C. Michael Jacobi


/s/ John R. Prann, Jr.         Director                                    September 11, 2001
-------------------------
John R. Prann, Jr.


/s/ Joseph V. Russell          Director                                    September 11, 2001
-------------------------
Joseph V. Russell


/s/ Henri L. Wedell            Director                                    September 11, 2001
-------------------------
Henri L. Wedell
</TABLE>


         Pursuant to the Requirements of the Securities Act, the Plan
Administrator of the Corrections Corporation of America 401(k) Savings and
Retirement Plan has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Nashville,
state of Tennessee, on the 11th day of September, 2001.

                                    CORRECTIONS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

                                    By:/s/ John D. Ferguson
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                    Title: Chief Executive Officer and President
                                           -------------------------------------


<PAGE>   10



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER              DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
------              ----------------------
<S>                 <C>

3.1                 Amended and Restated Charter of the Company (previously
                    filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
                    10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 as filed with the
                    Commission on April 17, 2001 (File No. 0-25245) and
                    incorporated herein by reference).

3.2                 Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company
                    (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Annual
                    Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 as
                    filed with the Commission on April 17, 2001 (File No.
                    0-25245) and incorporated herein by reference).

4.1                 Corrections Corporation of America 401(k) Savings and
                    Retirement Plan, as amended.

23.1                Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

25                  Power of Attorney (included on signature page).

99                  Annual Report on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31,
                    2000.
</TABLE>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "CORRECTIONS CORP OF AMERICA/MD", "cik": "0001070985", "assigned-sic": "6798", "irs-number": "621763875", "state-of-incorporation": "MD", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-69358", "film-number": "1736758"}, "business-address": {"street1": "10 BURTON HILLS BLVD", "street2": "N/A", "city": "NASHVILLE", "state": "TN", "zip": "37215", "phone": "6152633000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "10 BURTON HILLS BOULEVARD", "street2": "N/A", "city": "NASHVILLE", "state": "TN", "zip": "37215"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "PRISON REALTY CORP", "date-changed": "19980924"}, {"former-conformed-name": "PRISON REALTY TRUST INC", "date-changed": "19990517"}]}
1
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 13, 2001
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  -------------

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                  -------------

                       CORRECTIONS CORPORATION OF AMERICA
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               MARYLAND                                    62-1763875
     (State or Other Jurisdiction                       (I.R.S. Employer
           of Incorporation)                         Identification Number)

                            10 Burton Hills Boulevard
                           Nashville, Tennessee 37215
                                 (615) 263-3000
                   (Address, including zip code and telephone
                         number, including area code, of
                    registrant's principal executive offices)

                             ----------------------

      CORRECTIONS CORPORATION OF AMERICA 401(k) SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)

                             ----------------------

           John D. Ferguson                            Copy to:
Chief Executive Officer and President              Albert J. Bart, Esq.
  Corrections Corporation of America    Stokes Bartholomew Evans & Petree, P.A.
       10 Burton Hills Boulevard            424 Church Street, Suite 2800
      Nashville, Tennessee 37215              Nashville, Tennessee 37219
       Telephone: (615) 263-3000               Telephone: (615) 259-1450
       Facsimile: (615) 263-3010               Facsimile: (615) 259-1470

(Name, address, telephone number and facsimile number, including area code, of
agent for service)

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to Be       Amount to Be          Proposed Maximum            Proposed Maximum             Amount of
        Registered (1)              Registered       Offering Price per Share    Aggregate Offering Price   Registration Fee (2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan interests related to
Corrections Corporation
of America 401(k)                An indeterminate
Savings and Retirement            amount of Plan
Plan (the "Plan")                    interests                  N/A                         N/A                      N/A
(1) Pursuant to Rule 416(c) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), this Registration Statement covers an
indeterminate amount of Plan interests offered or sold pursuant to the Plan.

(2) Pursuant to Rule 457(h)(2) promulgated under the Securities Act, no
registration fee is required to be paid.
2

                                EXPLANATORY NOTE

         This Registration Statement covers an indeterminate amount of plan
interests offered and sold pursuant to the Corrections Corporation of America
401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan (the "Plan"). All shares of common stock,
$0.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), of Corrections Corporation of
America, a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), purchased by the Plan consist
of previously-issued shares purchased by the Plan trustee in the open market.

         The Company, formerly known as Prison Realty Trust, Inc. and Prison
Realty Corporation, owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of CCA
of Tennessee, Inc., a Tennessee corporation ("CCA of Tennessee"). CCA of
Tennessee is the successor by merger to each of: (i) Corrections Corporation of
America, a Tennessee corporation formerly known as Correctional Management
Services Corporation; (ii) Prison Management Services, Inc., a Tennessee
corporation; and (iii) Juvenile and Jail Facility Management Services, Inc., a
Tennessee corporation. As a result of these mergers, CCA of Tennessee assumed
the Plan and became the Plan's sponsor and administrator.

                                     PART I

              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS

         The information called for in Part I of Form S-8 is not being filed
with or included in this Form S-8 (by incorporation by reference or otherwise)
in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission").

                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

         The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:

         (a)      The Company's Prospectus (the "Prospectus") filed with the
                  Commission on August 4, 2000 pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4)
                  promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
                  "Securities Act"), as supplemented on September 6, 2000,
                  included in its Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed with
                  the Commission on July 19, 2000 (Registration No. 333-41778)
                  (the "Registration Statement on Form S-4").

         (b)      The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 2000, filed with the Commission on April 17, 2001
                  (File No. 0-25245).

         (c)      The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
                  period ended March 31, 2001, filed with the Commission on May
                  15, 2001 (File No. 0-25245).
3

         (d)      The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
                  period ended June 30, 2001, filed with the Commission on
                  August 13, 2001 (File No. 0-25245).

         (e)      The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the
                  Commission on February 16, 2001 (File No. 0-25245).

         (f)      The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the
                  Commission on May 8, 2001 (File No. 0-25245).

         (g)      The description of the Company's Common Stock contained under
                  the heading "Proposal to Approve the Merger - Prison Realty
                  Capital Stock" in the Company's Prospectus, including any
                  amendment or report filed subsequent to the date of this
                  Registration Statement for the purpose of updating such
                  description.

         In addition, all other documents and reports filed with the Commission
by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have
been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be
part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

         Only Plan interests are being registered hereunder. As such, pursuant
to the instructions to Form S-8, no description of such Plan interests is
required herein. All shares of Common Stock purchased by the Plan consist of
previously issued shares purchased by the Plan trustee in the open market.

ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

         None.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

         Article VI of the Company's Amended and Restated Charter provides that,
to the maximum extent that Maryland law from time to time permits limitation of
liability of directors or officers of corporations, no person who at any time
was or is a director or officer of the Company shall be personally liable to the
Company or its stockholders for money damages.

         Section 2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the "MGCL")
generally permits indemnification of any director made a party to any
proceedings by reason of service as a director unless it is established that:
(i) the act or omission of such person was material to the matter giving rise to
the proceedings and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and
deliberate dishonesty; (ii) such person actually received an improper personal
benefit in money, property or
4

services; or (iii) in the case of any criminal proceedings, such person had
reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. The indemnity
may include judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually incurred by the director in connection with
the proceeding; but, if the proceeding is one by, or in the right of, the
corporation, indemnification is not permitted with respect to any proceeding in
which the director has been adjudged to be liable to the corporation, or if the
proceeding is one charging improper personal benefit to the director, whether or
not involving action in the director's official capacity, indemnification of the
director is not permitted if the director was adjudged to be liable on the basis
that personal benefit was improperly received. The termination of any proceeding
by conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or an entry
of an order of probation prior to judgment, creates a rebuttable presumption
that the director did not meet the requisite standard of conduct required for
permitted indemnification. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order
or settlement, however, does not create a presumption that the director failed
to meet the requisite standard of conduct for permitted indemnification.

         Under the provisions of the Company's bylaws, the Company is required
to indemnify a current or former director or officer for reasonable expenses
incurred if such individual has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in
defense of any proceeding arising out of such individual's official capacity.
Under the provisions of its bylaws, the Company is also required to indemnify
any current or former director, or any current or former officer in any
proceeding arising out of such individual's official capacity, unless it is
established that:

         -        the proceeding involves an act or omission of such individual
                  which was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding
                  and was either (i) committed in bad faith; or (ii) was the
                  result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

         -        the individual actually received an improper personal benefit
                  in money, property or services; or

         -        in the case of a criminal proceeding, the director had
                  reasonable cause to believe the act or omission was unlawful.

In addition, under Maryland law, the Company is required to indemnify a current
or former director or officer in any proceeding arising out of such individual's
official capacity if a court of appropriate jurisdiction determines such
individual is entitled to indemnification.

         Under Maryland law, any such indemnification may be against judgments,
penalties, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection
with the proceeding. However, if the proceeding is one by or in the right of the
corporation, the Company may not provide indemnification with respect of any
proceeding in which the individual is adjudged liable to the corporation. In
addition, if the proceeding is one charging improper personal benefit to the
individual whether or not involving action in the director's official capacity,
indemnification is not permitted if the director is adjudged to be liable on the
basis that personal benefit was improperly received.
5

         Under the Company's bylaws, the Company shall pay or reimburse, in
advance of final disposition of a proceeding, reasonable expenses incurred by a
current or former director or officer, if such individual affirms in good faith
that he or she has satisfied the applicable standard of conduct necessary for
indemnification and agrees to repay amounts paid to such individual if it is
determined that such standard is not met. Under the Company's bylaws, the
Company may also provide to directors or officers additional indemnification or
payment or reimbursement of expenses to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland
law for directors of Maryland corporations.

         Indemnification under the provisions of Maryland law is not deemed
exclusive of any other rights, by indemnification or otherwise, to which a
director may be entitled under the charter, bylaws, any resolution of
stockholders or directors, any agreement or otherwise.

         The statute permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its officers,
employees and agents to the same extent as its directors. The Company's bylaws
provide that (i) the Company may, with the approval of its board of directors,
indemnify any employee or agent of the Company (or a predecessor) to the extent
to which the Company is required to indemnify its directors and officers and
(ii) the Company must indemnify its officers to the same extent it indemnifies
directors.

         The Company maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance to
insure against losses arising from claims made against its directors and
officers, subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in such policies.

ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.
NUMBER            DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
------            ----------------------
3.1               Amended and Restated Charter of the Company (previously filed
                  as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                  the year ended December 31, 2000 as filed with the Commission
                  on April 17, 2001 (File No. 0-25245), and incorporated herein
                  by reference).

3.2               Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (previously
                  filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
                  10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 as filed with the
                  Commission on April 17, 2001 (File No. 0-25245), and
                  incorporated herein by reference).

10.1              Corrections Corporation of America 401(k) Savings and
                  Retirement Plan, as amended.

23.1              Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

25                Power of Attorney (included on signature page).

99                Annual Report on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31,
                  2000.
6

ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS.

(a)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

         (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

                  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
         the Securities Act;

                  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
         after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most
         recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
         aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
         in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
         increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
         dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
         registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
         maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
         with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
         changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in
         the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
         Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; and

                  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the
         plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration
         Statement or any material change to such information in this
         Registration Statement.

         (2)      That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

         (3)      To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

(b)      The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of the employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

(c)      Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
7

or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
8

                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the
requirements for filing on Form 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 Nashville, state of Tennessee, on the 11th day of
September, 2001.

                                    CORRECTIONS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

                                    By:/s/ John D. Ferguson
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                          John D. Ferguson
                                          Chief Executive Officer and President

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and
appoints William F. Andrews, John D. Ferguson and Irving E. Lingo, Jr., and each
of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned,
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in the name, place
and stead of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement
and any registration statement relating to the same offering as the Registration
Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, and hereby grants
to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority
to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be
done, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
date indicated.
SIGNATURE                      TITLE                                       DATE
---------                      -----                                       ----
/s/ John D. Ferguson           Chief Executive Officer and President       September 11, 2001
------------------------       (Principal Executive Officer),
John D. Ferguson               Vice Chairman of the Board of
                               Directors and Director
9
/s/ Irving E. Lingo, Jr.       Executive Vice President and                September 11, 2001
-------------------------      Chief Financial Officer
Irving E. Lingo, Jr.           (Principal Financial and
                               Accounting Officer)

/s/ William F. Andrews         Chairman of the Board of                    September 11, 2001
------------------------       Directors and Director
William F. Andrews

/s/ Lucius E. Burch, III       Director                                    September 11, 2001
-------------------------
Lucius E. Burch, III

/s/ John D. Correnti           Director                                    September 11, 2001
-------------------------
John D. Correnti

/s/ C. Michael Jacobi          Director                                    September 11, 2001
-------------------------
C. Michael Jacobi

/s/ John R. Prann, Jr.         Director                                    September 11, 2001
-------------------------
John R. Prann, Jr.

/s/ Joseph V. Russell          Director                                    September 11, 2001
-------------------------
Joseph V. Russell

/s/ Henri L. Wedell            Director                                    September 11, 2001
-------------------------
Henri L. Wedell
Pursuant to the Requirements of the Securities Act, the Plan
Administrator of the Corrections Corporation of America 401(k) Savings and
Retirement Plan has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Nashville,
state of Tennessee, on the 11th day of September, 2001.

                                    CORRECTIONS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

                                    By:/s/ John D. Ferguson
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                    Title: Chief Executive Officer and President
                                           -------------------------------------
10

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
NUMBER              DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
------              ----------------------
3.1                 Amended and Restated Charter of the Company (previously
                    filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
                    10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 as filed with the
                    Commission on April 17, 2001 (File No. 0-25245) and
                    incorporated herein by reference).

3.2                 Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company
                    (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Annual
                    Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 as
                    filed with the Commission on April 17, 2001 (File No.
                    0-25245) and incorporated herein by reference).

4.1                 Corrections Corporation of America 401(k) Savings and
                    Retirement Plan, as amended.

23.1                Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

25                  Power of Attorney (included on signature page).

99                  Annual Report on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31,
                    2000.