Widespread Abuse Uncovered at Network of Youth Prisons
by Michael Dean Thompson
When ProPublica and WPLN Public Radio of Nashville looked into Wayne Halfway House (WHH), a private company that runs juvenile prisons across Tennessee, they found the company failed to follow the law and report the abuse occurring within their facilities. Employee interviews revealed that the expectation to keep quiet about the serious incidents came from the company’s CEO, Jason Crews.
WHH denies it has ever discouraged staff from reporting the incidents to the state or 911. Instead, it argues the former employees making the claims are “untrustworthy sources” who exhibit a “clear bias” against the company.
WHH currently locks up nearly 300 juveniles, in facilities that include the three highest security juvenile prisons in Tennessee. One of those, Mountain View Academy—which houses juveniles convicted of nonviolent crimes as well as those sentenced for rape and murder—had been plagued by riots under the previous operator.
Before WHH took over at Mountain View, the police were regularly being called in by staff to address the problems. At one point, the mayor of the small, nearby east Tennessee town called it “not fair to the citizens of Dandridge.” Under WHH, reported incidents reduced so much that Dandridge Police Administrative Sergeant Kevin Branch told WPLN and ProPublica, “Call volume and the amount of time that a detective has to spend in their facility has greatly reduced since Mr. Crews’ company took over.”
WHH’s written company policy in early 2020 was for staff to call 911 immediately during a disturbance or riot. Unofficially, however, there would be no attempt to call for outside help without permission from Crews or his deputies. This included medical emergencies.
In the case of one guard who watched via security camera as a dozen youth attacked some guards, calling for help from law enforcement after 20 minutes of not being able to reach her supervisor got her fired. Two other guards were fired as well, including one who had been hospitalized. According to the guard who called the police, company leaders told her she broke protocol in making the call. She told ProPublica, “I thought I’d done something to save someone’s life. You shouldn’t have to choose a person’s life over a job.” A nurse recounted a similar 2024 event where her requests to call the police were actively denied.
Beyond police involvement, facilities are required by state law to report child abuse and other serious incidents to the Department of Children’s Services (DCS). Reportable incidences include serious injuries, escapes and even restraint use. There is also the individual requirement to report any suspected child abuse to DCS. Yet, several former employees claimed to have been pushed out for doing so.
In a case involving a teenager being forced into a cell by other teens who were encouraged by guards to restrain him, nothing was done after video of the event emerged. Despite state reporting policy, it became clear to the then medication supervisor at Middle Tennessee Juvenile Detention Center, Tanya Webb, that there was no subsequent investigation by the state. ProPublica asked DCS if it had received a report of the incident. It had not. Webb reported the event after ProPublica’s interviews.
A written statement from the state agency regarding the rampant abuse said, “DCS is comparing the information provided [by ProPublica and WPLN] with Department and provider records to determine whether required incident and abuse reports were made, whether appropriate medical care and notifications occurred and what actions were taken in response.” However, whatever conclusions it draws will not be made public due to confidentiality laws.
Meanwhile, the state’s most vulnerable prison population continues to suffer the silence of those intended to protect them.
Source: ProPublica, WPLN
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