A leading private prison company in the U.S. has settled more than $4.4 million in complaints, including at least 22 inmate deaths, at its Tennessee facilities since 2016. The Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, Tennessee's largest prison, has been a focal point of scrutiny and is currently under federal investigation.
Details from nearly 80 settlements reveal allegations of mistreatment, including brutal beatings, medical neglect, and cruelty at CoreCivic's prisons and jails in Tennessee. Incidents such as an inmate beating his cellmate to death to secure a transfer to another prison and reports of endemic violence at Trousdale have raised serious concerns.
The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into Trousdale, citing a history of physical assaults, sexual assaults, murders, and severe staffing shortages. Despite settlements totaling millions of dollars, CoreCivic has not admitted any wrongdoing.
Surviving inmates and families of victims have faced challenges in seeking justice, with some settlements requiring silence on the part of the recipients. CoreCivic, with a net worth of $1.44 billion, has faced numerous lawsuits and criticisms over its Tennessee facilities.
Reports of unfilled critical staff positions, incidents of violence against inmates and staff, and lack of adequate medical care have plagued CoreCivic's prisons. Despite fines and scathing audits from the state, Tennessee has continued its contracts with CoreCivic, a significant political spender in the state.
The settlements, ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, shed light on the systemic issues within CoreCivic's operations. Inmates being denied basic preventive care, leading to tragic outcomes, have been a recurring theme in the settled cases.
The lack of accountability and the ongoing challenges faced by inmates and their families highlight the urgent need for reform within the private prison industry to ensure the safety and well-being of those in custody.
