Nashville Standard

NASHVILLE – United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, Henry C. Leventis, and Assistant Attorney General Kristin Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced today that the Justice Department has opened an investigation into the conditions at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center. This facility, operated by private correctional management company CoreCivic, is Tennessee’s largest correctional institution and is located approximately an hour outside of Nashville.

The department's decision to initiate this investigation stems from a comprehensive review of publicly available information and input from stakeholders. The review highlighted significant concerns including state audits pointing to dangerous understaffing and safety issues since Trousdale Turner began operations in 2016. The investigation will focus on whether Tennessee ensures the protection of those incarcerated at Trousdale Turner from harm, such as physical violence and sexual abuse.

“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.”

“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. “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.”

State officials were notified earlier today about the investigation, with assurances from the department that they will work cooperatively in conducting it and identifying solutions to any uncovered issues.

The department has not reached any conclusions regarding these allegations yet. The investigation will be conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), which authorizes investigations into systemic violations of individuals' rights in institutional settings like prisons.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee will conduct this investigation jointly with the Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the department via phone at 888-392-7031 or by email at community.trousdaleturner@usdoj.gov.

Further details about the Civil Rights Division’s work concerning correctional facilities can be found on its website at www.justice.gov/crt/rights-persons-confined-jails-and-prisons.

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