. . . EXHIBIT 5.1 BASS, BERRY & SIMS PLC A PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ATTORNEYS AT LAW KNOXVILLE OFFICE DOWNTOWN OFFICE: 900 SOUTH GAY STREET, AMSOUTH CENTER SUITE 1700 REPLY TO: 315 DEADERICK KNOXVILLE, TN 37902 AMSOUTH CENTER STREET, SUITE 2700 (865) 521-6200 315 DEADERICK STREET, SUITE 2700 NASHVILLE, TN NASHVILLE, TN 37238-0002 37238-3001 MEMPHIS OFFICE (615) 742-6200 (615) 742-6200 THE TOWER AT PEABODY PLACE www.bassberry.com MUSIC ROW OFFICE: 100 PEABODY PLACE, 29 MUSIC SQUARE EAST SUITE 950 NASHVILLE, TN MEMPHIS, TN 38103-2625 37203-4322 (901) 543-5900 (615) 255-6161 May 14, 2004 Corrections Corporation of America 10 Burton Hills Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37215 Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8 Ladies and Gentlemen: We have acted as your counsel in the preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") relating to the Corrections Corporation of America Non-Employee Directors' Compensation Plan (the "Plan") filed by you with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering an aggregate of 75,000 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, $.01 par value, issuable pursuant to the Plan. In so acting we have examined and relied upon such records, documents, and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate in order to express the opinion hereinafter set forth and have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies. Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when issued pursuant to and in accordance with the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable. We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Very truly yours, /s/ Bass, Berry & Sims PLC