Private Equity Firm Buys Into Compass Corrections Unit

Private investment firm H.I.G. Capital, LLC, has announced that one of its affiliates has completed the acquisition of the Trinity correctional services business of Compass Group PLC. Trinity, which operates under the brand names Trinity Services Group and Canteen Corrections, is one of the three largest providers of outsourced food service and commissary services to the corrections industry, the company says. Going forward, it will operate exclusively under the name Trinity Services Group while Compass will retain a meaningful ownership stake in the unit.

Based in Tampa and with revenues in excess of $300 million, Trinity provides outsourced food and commissary services to more than 200,000 inmates at over 300 correctional facilities across 33 states (including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands). The existing management team, which will continue to manage and operate the company, is led by Larry Vaughn who founded Trinity over 20 years ago.

“I am very excited to be embarking on the next stage of Trinity’s growth," Vaughn says. "As a standalone business with the backing of both H.I.G. and Compass Group, we are well equipped to cement our position as the preeminent player in our industry.”

“Trinity has been a valuable asset for Compass for many years," adds Compass Chief Strategy Officer Tom Ondrof. "We welcome the acquisition by H.I.G. and believe the new standalone structure will allow the Trinity team to further develop and focus the business on delivering exceptional service to its customers.”