Riot injures four at Tennessee prison after inmates refuse to return to cells

In Hartsville, Tennessee, a riot erupted at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, located approximately 50 miles northeast of Nashville. The disturbance began on Sunday night when several inmates refused to return to their cells, leading to chaos that necessitated a multi-agency response. Correctional officers utilized gas to contain the situation and successfully returned all prisoners to their cells by early Monday morning. During the incident, three guards were briefly held hostage but escaped unharmed. The private company CoreCivic, which operates the facility, reported that inmates attempted to destroy property, compromised security cameras, and set fires during the riot, resulting in minor injuries to three inmates and one guard. Approximately 100 officers were deployed to restore order, and law enforcement was positioned outside to ensure the perimeter was secure. The prison remained on lockdown while an investigation took place, led by both CoreCivic and the Tennessee Department of Correction. This incident followed a prior assault by two inmates on a correctional officer, highlighting ongoing issues within the facility. Since 2016, CoreCivic has faced numerous fines and legal challenges concerning the treatment of inmates and allegations of understaffing, which have raised serious concerns by state officials and advocacy groups. Tennessee’s corrections agency has taken an active stance against CoreCivic, imposing fines totaling $37.7 million across multiple facilities in recent years, pointing to systemic problems in staffing and inmate care. As tensions rise over the operating conditions of private prisons, legislation has been passed to monitor death rates among inmates more closely, aiming to address the issues that have plagued CoreCivic. The legislation was driven by recent tragic events, leading to community engagement in corrective measures. While the current administration has supported CoreCivic, growing public scrutiny may necessitate further reforms in the state’s prison system. This riot not only illustrates existing difficulties within private correctional facilities but also underscores the urgent need for comprehensive improvements to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.