Justice Department Probes Tennessee’s Largest Prison Amid Violence and Abuse Allegations
Staff Editor U.S. Justice Department Launches Investigation into Tennessee’s Largest Prison
The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, Tennessee’s largest prison, focusing on allegations of violence and sexual abuse at the privately operated facility. The investigation comes in response to alarming statistics from July 2022 to June 2023, which include 196 assaults, 90 incidents of sexual misconduct, two murders, and 15 deaths classified as “accidental.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke highlighted the severity of the situation, noting five stabbings in a three-week period in early 2024. Clarke emphasized the importance of upholding prisoners’ constitutional rights.
CoreCivic, the private company that owns and operates Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, faces scrutiny as the state of Tennessee holds ultimate responsibility for ensuring prisoners’ rights. The Tennessee Department of Correction has acknowledged the investigation and pledged full cooperation.
The facility, which houses approximately 2,500 inmates, has faced numerous challenges since its opening in 2016. These issues include a temporary halt in new inmate intake due to problems such as a stabbing incident. A memo from correction department officials previously highlighted a lack of control and improper use of solitary confinement.
Chronic understaffing has been a persistent problem, endangering both inmates and correctional officers. State audits in 2017, 2020, and 2023 have consistently reported these issues. The 2023 audit revealed a staggering 188% turnover rate among officers, compared to 37% in state-run facilities. Critical positions remain unfilled, with reports of a single officer overseeing 360 prisoners.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the facility’s problems. In May 2020, Trousdale County reported the highest per capita rate of COVID infection in the U.S., with over half of the 2,444 inmates testing positive at one point.
Nashville attorney Daniel Horwitz praised the Justice Department’s investigation, noting numerous wrongful death and other lawsuits filed against CoreCivic. U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Henry Leventis commented on the state’s contract renewals with the Trousdale facility, highlighting CoreCivic’s deep roots in Tennessee and potential political influence.
CoreCivic spokesperson Steven Owen emphasized that safety and dignity are top priorities for the company. Tennessee currently has four prisons under contracts with CoreCivic, with the current state budget allocating $233 million for these facilities, including $80 million for Trousdale.
As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders await further developments and potential reforms to address the ongoing issues at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center.
