Fights broke out at a privately operated state prison in Tennessee, resulting in the death of one inmate and the injuries of five others.
According to Brian Todd, a representative for CoreCivic, the altercations started early on Saturday inside the Hardeman County Correctional Facility in Whiteville.
Although the altercations were distinct, he suggested they were probably connected. According to Todd, one of the six prisoners who were transported to hospitals was declared deceased.
At about 12:25 a.m. a group of inmates at the facility were involved in separate, but likely related, fights. Staff members intervened to stop the fights and were able to provide medical assistance before the injured were taken to a local hospital.
Three others were treated and sent back to the prison, while two remained in the hospital on Wednesday. No employees of the institution were hurt. The incident is being looked into by a Tennessee Department of Correction agency.
CoreCivic’s director of public affairs Ryan Gustin said the staff was conducting “full investigations” into the incident.
“Our partners at the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) were immediately notified of these incidents. TDOC’s Office of Investigations and Conduct (OIC) is handling this investigation, which remains ongoing, with the full support of our facility staff and leadership team,” Gustin said.
