Federal Investigation Launched as Settlements Mount
CoreCivic, the largest private prison operator in the U.S., is under federal investigation after spending over $4.4 million to settle nearly 80 lawsuits alleging mistreatment at its Tennessee facilities. The claims, which span from 2016 to the present, include incidents of medical neglect, brutal beatings, and the deaths of at least 22 inmates. The largest settlement, $900,000, involved a suicide at South Central Correctional Facility where staff falsified records.
The troubled Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, one of CoreCivic’s four Tennessee prisons, has drawn significant scrutiny and accounts for over $1.1 million in payouts. Reports of violence and severe staffing shortages have been endemic at Trousdale since it opened in 2016. U.S. Attorney Henry Leventis announced a federal investigation into the facility, citing “unchecked flow of contraband” and a history of violence.
Trousdale and Inmate Deaths at the Center of Settlements
Several of the settlements relate to deaths at Trousdale Turner, including the 2017 death of Terry Childress, who was beaten to death by his cellmate. The lawsuit claims the cellmate attacked Childress out of fear for his own life and to be transferred to a different prison. No guards intervened, and Childress’ family received a $135,000 settlement.
In another case, Jonathan Salada died in 2018 after being repeatedly denied diabetes medication. He was found unconscious three days after complaining of severe pain, leading to a $50,000 settlement.
Staff and Inmates Suffer Under Unsafe Conditions
The understaffing and violence have affected both inmates and prison employees. In 2019, a Trousdale counselor lost an eye and was severely injured when an inmate, whose antipsychotic medication had been withheld, attacked and raped her with a homemade knife. Adrian Delk, an inmate at Hardeman Correctional Facility, received a $120,000 settlement after being beaten for up to an hour by gang members, with no guards available to intervene.
A 2023 state audit documented the ongoing safety issues at Trousdale, with one guard reporting, “While at Trousdale, I feel unsafe at all times.”
CoreCivic’s History of Denying Medical Care
A significant number of the lawsuits allege that CoreCivic denied inmates access to critical medical care. These cases describe chilling outcomes, including undiagnosed cancers, untreated infections, and preventable deaths. At the Metro-Davidson County Detention Facility, Belinda Cockrill died of rectal cancer that had spread throughout her body after months of extreme pain. Her mother received a $45,000 settlement.
In another tragic case, Kathy Spurgeon’s son, Adam, died after developing an infection following heart surgery at Trousdale. Spurgeon did not sue, fearing for the safety of her other son, who was also incarcerated at the same facility.
A Company Under Fire, But Contracts Remain
Despite ongoing issues, CoreCivic has faced little accountability beyond monetary settlements. Tennessee has fined the company $37.7 million since 2016 for its failures to meet staffing and operational standards, but state officials continue to renew contracts with the prison operator. Tennessee remains CoreCivic’s largest state customer, accounting for 10% of its revenue in 2023.
The U.S. Department of Justice investigation marks a new chapter in the company’s troubled history in Tennessee. However, advocates like Mary Price of Families Against Mandatory Minimums suggest that CoreCivic views settlements as “a cost of doing business” rather than a reason to reform.
