Tennessee senators push for body cameras at CoreCivic prison

Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada is balking at using body cameras on CoreCivic prison guards, despite a push by state lawmakers. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout file) Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada is balking at using body cameras on CoreCivic prison guards, despite a push by state lawmakers. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout file)

By Sam Stockard / Tennessee Lookout January 7, 2026 4 min read

A Tennessee Senate panel wants officers at a privately run prison rocked by a 2025 riot to wear body cameras, despite opposition from the state’s correction commissioner.

The State and Local Government Corrections Subcommittee recommended a pilot program Tuesday for the state’s private-prison contractor, CoreCivic, to equip detention officers at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center with body cameras in an effort to protect officers and inmates and provide clearer evidence for criminal investigations.

State Sen. Ed Jackson, R-Jackson, pointed out that prisons can be extremely dangerous because of a shortage of prison officers.

“Body cameras would keep everybody honest,” Jackson said.

CoreCivic President and CEO Patrick Swindle estimated the cost of putting cameras on Trousdale Turner officers at $350,000.