-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001144204-08-034533.txt : 20080610
<SEC-HEADER>0001144204-08-034533.hdr.sgml : 20080610
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080610191049
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001144204-08-034533
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080606
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080610
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080610

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CORNELL COMPANIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001016152
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-FACILITIES SUPPORT MANAGEMENT SERVICES [8744]
		IRS NUMBER:				760433642
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1700 WEST LOOP SOUTH
		STREET 2:		STE 1500
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77027
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7136230790

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1700 WEST LOOP SOUTH
		STREET 2:		STE 1500
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77027

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CORNELL CORRECTIONS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960604

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			OBUS NELSON
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001017043

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14472
		FILM NUMBER:		08891819

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		WYNNEFIELD CAPITAL INC
		STREET 2:		450 SEVENTH AVE STE 509
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10123
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2127600814

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHANNEL PARTNERSHIP II L P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001273617
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14472
		FILM NUMBER:		08891820

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 SEVENTH AVENUE SUITE 509
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10123
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2127600278

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 SEVENTH AVENUE SUITE 509
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10123

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WYNNEFIELD CAPITAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001251567
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14472
		FILM NUMBER:		08891821

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 SEVENTH AVE
		STREET 2:		STE 509
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10123
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2129600814

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WYNNEFIELD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001056835

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14472
		FILM NUMBER:		08891822

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 SEVENTH AVE
		STREET 2:		STE 509
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10123
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2127600814

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 SEVENTH AVE
		STREET 2:		STE 509
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10123

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WYNNEFIELD PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000899083
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14472
		FILM NUMBER:		08891824

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE PENN PLAZA
		STREET 2:		SUITE 4720
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10119
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2127600814

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE PENN PLAZA
		STREET 2:		SUITE 4720
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10119

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WYNNEFIELD PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE LP I
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001251565
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14472
		FILM NUMBER:		08891825

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 SEVENTH AVE
		STREET 2:		STE 509
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10123
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2129600814

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WYNNEFIELD SMALL CAP VALUE OFFSHORE FUND LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001030806

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14472
		FILM NUMBER:		08891823

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 SEVENTH AVE
		STREET 2:		STE 509
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10123
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2127600814

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 SEVENTH AVE
		STREET 2:		STE 509
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10123
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>v116921_ex.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-06-06</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001016152</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CORNELL COMPANIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CRN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001251565</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WYNNEFIELD PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE LP I</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>450 SEVENTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 509</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10123</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000899083</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WYNNEFIELD PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>450 SEVENTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 509</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10123</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001030806</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WYNNEFIELD SMALL CAP VALUE OFFSHORE FUND LTD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>450 SEVENTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 509</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10123</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001056835</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WYNNEFIELD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>450 SEVENTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 509</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10123</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001251567</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WYNNEFIELD CAPITAL INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>450 SEVENTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 509</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10123</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001273617</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CHANNEL PARTNERSHIP II L P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>450 SEVENTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 509</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10123</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001017043</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>OBUS NELSON</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>450 SEVENTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 509</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10123</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $.001 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-06-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>18800</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>21.3320</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2547690</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">As of June 6, 2008, Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value L.P. I (the &quot;Reporting Person&quot;) directly beneficially owns 924,319
 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share (&quot;Common Stock&quot;) of Cornell Companies Inc. [CRN]. Wynnefield Capital
 Management, LLC, as the sole general partner of Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, L.P. I, has an indirect beneficial
 ownership interest in the shares of Common Stock that Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, LP I directly beneficially owns.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">As of June 6, 2008, the Reporting Person has an indirect beneficial ownership interest in 696,200 shares of Common Stock,
 which are directly beneficially owned by Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, L.P., as members of a group under Section
 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, LP, which maintains offices
 at the same address as the Reporting Person, is filing this Form jointly with the Reporting Person. Wynnefield Capital
 Management, LLC, as the sole general partner of Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, L.P., has an indirect beneficial
 ownership interest in the shares of Common Stock that Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, L.P. directly beneficially owns.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">As of June 6, 2008, the Reporting Person has an indirect beneficial ownership interest in 897,600 shares of Common Stock,
 which are directly beneficially owned by Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value Offshore Fund Ltd., as members of a group under
 Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value Offshore Fund Ltd.,
 which maintains offices at the same address as the Reporting Person, is filing this Form jointly with the Reporting Person.
 Wynnefield Capital, Inc., as the sole investment manager of the Reporting Person, has an indirect beneficial ownership
 interest in the shares of Common Stock that the Reporting Person directly beneficially owns.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">As of June 6, 2008, the Reporting Person has an indirect beneficial ownership interest in 30,800 shares of Common Stock,
 which are directly beneficially owned by Channel Partnership II, L.P., as members of a group under Section 13(d) of the
 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Channel Partnership II, L.P., which maintains offices at the same address as
 the Reporting Person, is filing this Form jointly with the Reporting Person. Nelson Obus, as the sole general partner of
 Channel Partnership II, L.P., has an indirect beneficial ownership interest in the shares of Common Stock that Channel
 Partnership II, L.P. directly beneficially owns.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>WYNNEFIELD PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE, L.P. I; By: Wynnefield Capital Management, LLC; General Partner; By: /s/ Nelson Obus, Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>WYNNEFIELD PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE, L.P.; By: Wynnefield Capital Management, LLC; General Partner; By: /s/ Nelson Obus, Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>WYNNEFIELD SMALL CAP VALUE OFFSHORE FUND, LTD.; By: Wynnefield Capital, Inc.; By: /s/ Nelson Obus, President</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>WYNNEFIELD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC; By: /s/ Nelson Obus, Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>WYNNEFIELD CAPITAL, INC.; By: /s/ Nelson Obus, President</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Channel Partnership II, L.P.; By: /s/ Nelson Obus, General Partner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Nelson Obus</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----