Concern grows about COVID-19 in Tennessee prisons as CoreCivic says employee tested positive

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee Department of Correction sent a letter to staff on March 20, which stated no inmates or staff had tested positive for COVID-19.

The state told NewsChannel5 Investigates that assessment did not include prisons in Tennessee run by the private prison company CoreCivic.

CoreCivic confirms one employee at its Clifton, Tennessee South Central Correctional Center tested positive for the virus and was taken to the hospital.
CoreCivic said the employee is now home.

South Central has placed 35 inmates who may have been in contact with the employee on quarantine in a separate housing unit at the facility.

CoreCivic said it has reported the situation to the Tennessee Department of Health.

The company said in a statement, "this is our only case of COVID-19 at any of our facilities in Tennessee."

And "we are closely monitoring our inmate population."

Former prison chaplain, Jeannie Alexander, who is also Executive Director of No Exceptions, which advocates for prison reform, said many family members are concerned the deadly virus will quickly spread in state prisons.

"It's horrible having conversations with mothers, day in and day out, and wives and children who are scared to death," Alexander said.

Her organization and nearly 40 others have asked Governor Bill Lee to release older inmates and certain others to lower the overall population and make social distancing more possible.

"We are going to see what it looks like when you have a contained population where the virus just has to tear through it," Alexander said.

Alexander was most concerned about inmates in privately operated CoreCivic prisons.

She said she's heard about lack of cleaning supplies and soap at CoreCivic prisons like Trousdale Turner in Hartsville.

"The state prisons are taking it much more seriously and the CoreCivic prisons are doing what they always do, and that is cut corners and try to save money," Alexander said.

CoreCivic said in a statement "the allegation of there being no cleaning supplies like soap is factually inaccurate. We are following the CDC guidelines and the necessary cleaning supplies and soap are available."

One woman with a loved one in prison said she worries, "It's going to get worse before it gets better."

She hopes inmates across the state can get through this safely and hopes leaders will "set up a system where the inmates can practice social distancing and be able to eliminate or prevent the disease from spreading."

CoreCivic sent a long statement in response to our questions. Here it is:

"On March 28, we learned that a CoreCivic employee, who works at our South Central Correctional Center in Clifton, TN, has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is currently at a local hospital receiving treatment. Efforts are underway to notify other employees or contractors that may have been in contact with the individual who tested positive.

We are closely monitoring our inmate population and have placed 35 inmates who may have been in contact with this employee on quarantine in a separate housing unit at the facility. We've reported the matter to the Tennessee Department of Health, and we’ll work closely with them to implement any recommendations they have. We're also working closely with our partners at Tennessee Department of Correction.

CoreCivic is working hard to protect our employees, those entrusted to our care, and our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have a Coronavirus Medical Action Plan in place at each of our facilities, which we’ve been working on since January. This plan includes:

Having medical staff participate in the intake process to identify those who are deemed high-risk of being infected with or contracting COVID-19;
Isolating those who are deemed high-risk as needed; and
Working with local and state health departments to conduct appropriate testing.
All of our facilities are actively promoting the following three health habits for inmates, detainees and residents, as well as staff: regular hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette (coughing or sneezing into a sleeve or tissue), and avoiding touching one’s face. We also encourage the practice of social distancing for all individuals within our facilities.

Our health services administrators cooperate fully with local and state health departments, and our protocols mirror local, state, and federal recommendations. Our plan and practices build on the extensive work we do every day to run clean, healthy and safe facilities. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all our medical staff during this time.

We have asked all of our employees to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases by adhering to the following recommendations:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Follow the CDC's recommendations for using a facemask (medical professionals).
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

For your questions pertaining to Trousdale Turner being on 'lockdown,' in deference to our government partner's policies, we encourage you to contact TDOC officials for any information they are willing to release.

We encourage the practice of social distancing for all individuals within our facilities.

With regard to the allegation of there being 'no cleaning supplies like soap,' that is factually inaccurate. We are following the CDC guidelines and have the necessary cleaning supplies and soap available."