A riot at Tennessee’s largest prison left one guard injured and is now fueling calls for the state to take over the privately run facility.

Multiple state audits have found chronic understaffing at Trousdale Turner, which has led to increased violence and contraband. In 2023, the prison saw a 188% turnover rate, for the highest in the state. The prison has also seen a barrage of lawsuits from family members who have lost loved ones.

As part of a “new operational structure,” the Tennessee Department of Correction said that some inmates at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center would be transferred to state facilities. At around 10 p.