In a recent development, Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, Tennessee’s largest privately run prison, has come under scrutiny as the U.S. Department of Justice initiated a civil rights investigation. This investigation was launched in response to a growing number of allegations, including violent assaults, sexual abuse, and even murder taking place within the facility.
The facility is run by Core Civic, a private prison company headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee.
The state comptroller’s office conducted multiple audits, revealing Trousdale’s chronic understaffing. This long-standing issue has created hazardous conditions for both inmates and guards.
U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis, in his remarks outlining the reasons for the DOJ investigation, stated that the federal government is currently examining whether staffing shortages have contributed to the persistent “serious problems” faced by the prison since its inception in 2016.
In August, Darrel’s worst nightmare seemed to be coming true when he received a call from a prison staff member informing him that Brennan had been severely injured in an incident at the prison. As a result, Brennan was now receiving treatment in a trauma unit at a hospital in Memphis.
Reynolds shared that she received alarming news about her loved one. She was informed about the presence of swelling on his brain, along with two brain bleeds. The situation was critical, prompting her to rush to the hospital immediately.
When Reynolds arrived at the hospital, he faced a frustrating situation. He was denied permission to see his son, and for nearly a week, the prison staff, including Warden Chance Leeds, refused to provide any updates on Brennan’s medical condition or disclose the details of what had happened to him.
Reynolds expressed his fears, stating that the uncertainty surrounding the situation is more distressing than having a definitive answer, even if it is bad news. He shared his concern, saying, “I’m afraid he won’t survive.”
After speaking to Reynolds, WSMV4 Investigates reached out to officials from Core Civic and the Tennessee Department of Corrections to inquire about Brennan’s condition and whether he had been subjected to assault by either another inmate or a prison guard.
In response to TDOC’s lack of reply, a representative from Core Civic reached out to WSMV4 Investigates via email. They explained that due to privacy concerns, they were unable to provide any information regarding Brennan’s medical condition. However, they did confirm that the prison had been in contact with Reynolds.
According to Reynolds, prison officials granted him permission to visit his son after we reached out to them. He discovered that Brennan is currently unconscious and reliant on a ventilator.
Reynolds argues that despite the improvements made, the prison still suffers from understaffing, which he believes contributed to the severe beating Brennan endured, leaving him in critical condition.
Core Civic declined our request for an interview and public records, stating that the incident which resulted in Brennan’s hospitalization is currently being investigated.
According to Reynolds, he is now in regular communication with Warden Leeds, and local authorities have initiated steps to investigate the assault.
He still hopes that the DOJ will focus on Core Civic’s management of Whiteville, as he fears that his son’s serious injury won’t be the last caused by the company’s negligent treatment of the inmates under their care.
“There is a child who belongs to someone else, a father who is someone else’s, and a brother who is also someone else’s.”
