Inmate found dead in cell, facility on lock down
WHITEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Authorities at the Hardeman County Correctional Facility say the prison in Whiteville has been locked down after an inmate was found dead in his cell.
According to a statement from Corrections Corporation of America, a Tennessee state inmate was found unresponsive in his cell around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday. The medical staff treated him until the arrival of emergency medical responders, but they were unable to revive him.
The cause of death has not been determined and the inmate's name was not released. The facility remained on lock down status on Wednesday afternoon, which means inmates are restricted to their cells.
The Tennessee Department of Correction's Internal Affairs is investigating. The 2,016-bed facility is operated by CCA under contract with the state.
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At approximately 6:45 a.m. this morning, facility staff responded to an inmate medical emergency in the G-A housing unit of the Hardeman County Correctional Facility, where they found a Tennessee state inmate unresponsive in his cell. Facility medical staff administered life-saving techniques until the arrival of EMS responders, who continued those efforts but were unable to revive the inmate.
Per standard facility procedures, local law enforcement and Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) officials were notified and are now onsite. The facility is currently on lock down status, which means that inmates are restricted to their cells with escorted movement only in the facility.
TDOC's Internal Affairs officials are conducting an investigation with full support and cooperation from facility management and staff. A cause of death has not been determined and is pending the outcome of an autopsy. The name of the inmate is not being released at this time, pending notification of next of kin.
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