No top-tier gubernatorial candidate supports ending private prisons in state

None of Tennessee’s top-tier gubernatorial candidates believe Tennessee should stop using private prisons.

The Tennessean surveyed the seven leading GOP and Democratic gubernatorial campaigns after lawmakers blasted public and private prison officials following a scathing audit from the Tennessee comptroller.

The audit focused on long-standing staffing and gang issues at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, the

“Prisons are a core function of government, and we owe it to Tennesseans to ensure they are run properly.” – BETH HARWELL, R-NASHVILLE

latest problems for the state’s largest, private prison.

“Trousdale Turner Correctional Center management’s continued noncompliance with contract requirements and department policies challenges the department’s ability to effectively monitor the private prison,” the audit states.

Most candidates noted the necessity for accountability without directly addressing the issues plaguing the $1 billion department and its massive subcontractor CoreCivic, a Nashville-based company previously known as Corrections Corporation of America.

Former state Sen. Mae Beavers issued the strongest rebuke, raising the prospect of ending the state’s contract for the troubled Trousdale Turner Correctional Center.

“CoreCivic’s prison contract should be reviewed to determine whether their practices are putting Tennesseans at risk, and if they’re putting their workers or Tennesseans at risk, the state should cancel the contract,” said the Mount Juliet Republican.

Former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said the audit raises “serious issues” and he does not support any additional private prisons but stopped short of calling for Tennessee to end its current contracts.

“The existing contracts the state has with private prisons require monitoring by the state to ensure private prisons are run in a safe and appropriate manner. The contracts need to be followed and enforced,” Dean said.

House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, said she looks forward to the next legislative hearing where private prisons are discussed.

“Prisons are a core function of government, and we owe it to Tennesseans to ensure they are run properly,” she said.

U.S. Rep. Diane Black, Franklin businessman Bill Lee and Knoxville entrepreneur Randy Boyd avoided answering whether Tennessee should continue to use private prisons.

Boyd hadn’t read the audit yet but supports the state examining whether private businesses can save taxpayer money, said campaign spokeswoman Laine Arnold.

“However, our taxpayer dollars also demand accountability, including the requirements that services prioritize safety and acceptable work conditions,” Arnold said.

The Black campaign issued essentially the same statement.

“State government should always look for ways to save taxpayer dollars and private prisons have a role in that effort. However, private prison operators should be reviewed frequently and held accountable, as should nonprivate prisons,” said campaign spokesman Chris Hartline.

Lee said private partners must be held to the same standards as state government.

“State government has to have high standards for all of our departments, and when there is a breakdown, then we need to fix it regardless of where the blame lies,” Lee said, adding that “public-private partnerships are critical for the future of our state.”

House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley, said he’s supported private prisons in the past. He also hasn’t read the audit yet, but said media accounts show the findings were not “very positive.”

“We’ve got a pretty good investment in them right now. Although I don’t really think it’s given us the bang for our buck that some thought it would, I certainly think it’s worth looking in to. Any time you privatize anything in state government, you have to have a close look,” Fitzhugh said, when asked about ending private prisons in Tennessee.

State lawmakers called for an emergency meeting in December, where prison officials are expected to make their case as to how CoreCivic and the state will improve operations.

Contact Dave Boucher at dboucher@tennessean.com or 615-259-8892 and on Twitter @Dave_ Boucher1.