Update, Sept. 8: This article has been updated since its original publication to include further reporting, including a statement from CoreCivic spokesperson Brian Todd.
Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM), a national criminal justice reform organization, has called for a federal investigation into Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, a state prison in Hartsville operated privately by CoreCivic. In a letter addressed to U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke and U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Henry Leventis, the group calls on the Department of Justice to investigate civil rights abuses at the center. A comparable DOJ investigation resulted in a 2019 lawsuit against the state of Alabama for unconstitutional conditions in its state prisons for men.
The letter by FAMM cites “disturbing letters and emails from individuals incarcerated there, their families, and even former staff,” alleging “sub-par medical care, neglect of medical and physical needs, sexual and physical assault by staff, and use of force, threats, and retaliation by staff.” Medical neglect, substandard conditions and staffing shortages at Trousdale have been on the state’s radar since CoreCivic opened the prison in 2016. Currently led by its sixth warden in seven years, Trousdale is the state’s largest prison, housing more than 2,500 people.
The Department of Justice now decides whether to commit resources to an investigation into Trousdale, similar to a recent investigation into the Memphis police department. Incarcerated individuals are protected by the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, an extensive federal law cited by FAMM that empowers the U.S. attorney general to intervene in response to suspected constitutional violations.
“Trousdale Turner Correctional Center’s problematic reputation has long been an open secret,” says FAMM Tennessee state policy director Matthew Charles in a press release. “Over the years, we have heard a number of stories alleging horrifying abuses — we are still stunned by what we learned.”
Despite a string of state fines that total close to $20 million, CoreCivic continues to operate four Tennessee prisons. The company — founded in Nashville as the Corrections Corporation of America in 1983 — won a five-year contract extension at Trousdale in 2021 and a two-year extension at South Central Correctional Center this year.
Brian Todd, a CoreCivic spokesperson who resigned from the Metro Nashville Health Department last year, responded to the allegations with a statement that reads, in part: “In both policy and practice, CoreCivic respects the dignity of every individual entrusted to our care. We have clear lines of communication for those in our care to make concerns known without fear of repercussions, including in-facility reporting, a company-wide hotline accessible anonymously internally and externally, and direct access to our government partners.”
Families with loved ones at Trousdale relay stories about gang activity, corrupt correctional officers and arbitrary punishment for those on the inside. Earlier this summer, the Scene reported on recent deaths at Trousdale, which fit a pattern of medical neglect. In January, Jean Cooper learned that her ex-husband Darrell Cooper, 61, had died in custody. She knew Darrell, who used a wheelchair, had been beaten by fellow inmates, but didn’t know the extent of his injuries. As of Aug. 15, Jean is still looking for answers.
“I’ve written certified letters to TDOC, Trousdale, CoreCivic, and the medical examiner asking for documents from Dec. 25 to Jan. 13,” Jean Cooper tells the Scene in an email. “I’ve got two autopsy reports and one says there were signs of trauma. So I know they let him die after being beaten.”
Without answers, Cooper and other family members have to fill in gaps about what happens on the inside. Danny Lowrance, 40, died in April after being transferred to Vanderbilt University Medical Center due to a stroke induced by sepsis, often caused by untreated infections. His mother, Pam, received intermittent updates from Danny about his medical treatment before she was eventually contacted by Vanderbilt about his death. Another Trousdale inmate was found dead in his cell in June.
Pending a DOJ investigation, Leventis’ office would be responsible for litigation against CoreCivic, the state of Tennessee or both. The civil rights division of the DOJ declined to comment on FAMM’s letter. Leventis’ office indicated to the Scene that it would take its cues from the DOJ regarding any legal action against Trousdale.
