Tennessee Scrutinizes CoreCivic: $30M in Fines Amid Federal Investigation

The Tennessee state government has been scrutinizing CoreCivic, a private prison company that operates four prisons in the state.

The state pays over $200 million annually for these services but retains the right to withhold payments if CoreCivic violates operational standards.

Since 2022, Tennessee has reclaimed nearly $30 million due to violations, with the main issue being severe understaffing.

Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility, a CoreCivic-run prison, is at the center of a federal Department of Justice DOJ investigation for endemic violence and chronic understaffing.

This facility has one of the highest homicide rates in the U.S. and was the site of a recent attack where three staff members were injured by an inmate.

Despite these issues and fines, the state legislature increased CoreCivic’s budget by $7 million this year.

The DOJ’s investigation underscores the challenges in privately managed prisons, highlighting the tension between cost-cutting measures and maintaining safety and operational standards.

 

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