The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a civil rights investigation into Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, a Tennessee prison operated by private firm CoreCivic, due to concerns over safety and staffing.
Located near Nashville, Trousdale Turner is the state’s largest prison facility and has faced persistent issues since its 2016 opening.
This inquiry, spurred by state audits and reports of inadequate staffing and violence, aims to ascertain whether Tennessee is fulfilling its constitutional duties to protect inmates from harm, including physical and sexual abuse.
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Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized that while incarceration serves as punishment, it should not involve abuse or neglect.
“People are incarcerated at Trousdale Turner as punishment for their crimes, but in our legal system, punishment does not and cannot include violence and sexual abuse,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is launching this comprehensive investigation to determine if there are systemic constitutional violations regarding the treatment of people in this privately-run correctional facility. We are committed to protecting the constitutional rights of people held inside jails and prisons across our country.”
“Publicly available information suggests that Trousdale Turner has been plagued by serious problems since it first opened its doors,” said United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis. “This includes reports of staffing shortages, physical and sexual assaults, murders, and a 188% turnover rate among prison guards just last year. Although CoreCivic owns and operates Trousdale, the State of Tennessee is ultimately responsible for the safety of the people incarcerated there. This investigation seeks to determine whether Tennessee is meeting its constitutional obligations.”
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State officials have been informed and the Justice Department has pledged cooperation to remedy any identified issues.
The probe is being carried out by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee. Those with relevant information are urged to contact the department.
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