Tennessee’s private prison operator, CoreCivic, has paid over $29.5 million in penalties for failing to meet state contractual requirements, mainly due to staffing shortages. This comes amid a lawsuit regarding an inmate’s death at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, which is under investigation for civil rights violations. Despite high turnover rates, CoreCivic continues to face penalties while holding $240 million in state contracts.
Correction Commissioner Frank Strada expressed satisfaction with CoreCivic’s efforts and Governor Bill Lee considers them an important partner despite the ongoing Department of Justice investigation. Trousdale Turner is not the worst-performing prison in terms of meeting requirements, with other facilities like Hardeman County Correctional Facility and Whiteville Correctional Facility facing significant penalties.
Sen. Mark Pody and Sen. Ed Jackson are pushing for more oversight of CoreCivic and the state’s penalization system. They believe adjustments may be needed to ensure the company upholds its end of the contract. Pody also expressed frustration with the lack of transparency from the Department of Correction regarding inmate deaths.
Overall, the situation highlights the ongoing challenges in the state prison system and the need for increased oversight to ensure the safety and well-being of inmates while holding private operators accountable.
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