Advisory committee urges contract changes, penalties and transparency for CoreCivic-run Trousdale prison

An advisory committee reviewing the Charles D. Turner Correctional Center urged Trousdale County commissioners to seek contractual changes that would give the county leverage to enforce safety and reporting standards before the Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) contract renews.

Mark Beeler, a member of the advisory committee, told the commission the group has been meeting since last September to review the existing contracts among TDOC, the county and CoreCivic. "We basically just accepted the contract," Beeler said, adding the committee's suggestions are a "jumping-off" point to put teeth into future agreements and to improve safety for residents and staff.

The committee recommended inserting provisions that identify breaches and allow the county to withhold funds, assess fines or pursue remedies that are not available under the current arrangement, Beeler said. He told commissioners the state contract with TDOC typically renews around July 1 and advised the county attorney to expect a renewal draft soon.

Jason Lawson, the district attorney, said some elements of the committee's proposals grew from TDOC's response to a June riot at the facility. Lawson said TDOC reduced the facility population and moved toward classification criteria — initially described by the committee as age 55 or older, nonviolent offenders, and eight years or less remaining — to lower violence. "If we can continue to maintain that, we'll start flipping the population here, and you'll start seeing the violence and the problems that we see out there go down," Lawson said.

Committee members and residents who live near the facility urged clearer expectations for staffing levels, incident reporting and coordination with the sheriff's office. Melissa Chalet, who said she serves on the advisory committee and lives near the prison, said the county needs better "regular reporting and accessible information" for commissioners and the public.

Judy, who said she works for TDOC at CoreCivic, confirmed CoreCivic pays TDOC fines when contract requirements are not met and described the state's contract as "very, very detailed." The advisory report suggests the county seek similar enforceable terms in its own agreements so the county has remedies for breaches.

The committee also recommended adding MOUs with local agencies such as the sheriff's department and EMS so responders have clear responsibilities and expectations. Commissioner Beverly raised that point directly, asking that memoranda include ambulance and rescue services as well as the sheriff's office; Beeler agreed to add the notation.

Committee members discussed operational measures such as body cameras for correctional officers — a topic under consideration in the state legislature — and suggested the county include protective measures in as many vehicles as possible, including contract language and local policies. Lawson said CoreCivic has testified that body cameras reduce incidents and that CoreCivic has indicated willingness to fund cameras in some contexts, while TDOC has raised cost and data-storage concerns.

The advisory committee proposed a county funding request and a figure intended to offset sheriff and EMS burdens; Beeler acknowledged the number was not audited against sheriff or EMS budgets and could be refined. Beeler said the county already receives an administrative payment that flows through TDOC and that the committee's language would identify breaches that merit withholding funds or penalties.

Commissioners did not take final action on the report; staff were asked to review and return with follow-up. County officials present said the report is intended to start dialogue with TDOC and CoreCivic ahead of contract negotiations and to give commissioners options to seek stronger oversight and clearer incident reporting.

The county attorney said he would review the committee's recommendations and advised commissioners about the need to choose which provisions to push in negotiations. The county will consider whether to transmit the recommendations to TDOC, CoreCivic and the county's negotiating representatives ahead of a July renewal.