On a recent sunny Tuesday afternoon, the West Tennessee Detention Facility looked pretty much how it has always looked since it opened three decades ago on Finde Naifeh Drive in Mason. The grass was cut, the bushes were trimmed and all the signage was still on display. However, the parking lot was nearly empty and there was no security truck patrolling the perimeter. Why? … [Read more...] about Is the prison in Mason closed for good?
west tennessee detention facility
Two West Tennessee Detention Facility employees were indicted for trying to smuggle contraband into the prison
Nearly 100 people were indicted last week during the July 2020 term of the Tipton County Grand Jury. On Monday, those indicted were arraigned in court. Two employees from the West Tennessee Detention Facility in Mason were indicted for bringing drugs into the prison. On Nov. 24, 2020, Marquelle P. Curne, of Millington, couldn't clear the checkpoint at the correctional … [Read more...] about Two West Tennessee Detention Facility employees were indicted for trying to smuggle contraband into the prison
May 13: Mass testing revealed 311 cases connected to the prison outbreak
This week the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tipton County skyrocketed – and now we can confirm there are 311 total cases at the prison in Mason. That the prison had an outbreak is not new information, but knowing the breakdown between how many employees and inmates tested positive is helpful in understanding how the virus is being transmitted. Transmission in the … [Read more...] about May 13: Mass testing revealed 311 cases connected to the prison outbreak
May 12: Here’s why it matters if a surge in cases belongs to the prison or not
On Tuesday Tipton County's number of confirmed cases grew by 22 more cases. It's not yet known why. Yesterday, the day-over-day number of confirmed cases grew by 214. At least 171 of those were attributed to the outbreak at the West Tennessee Detention Facility in Mason, but the remaining 42 cases haven't yet been connected with an outbreak. Neither the U.S. Marshals nor … [Read more...] about May 12: Here’s why it matters if a surge in cases belongs to the prison or not
May 11: Another dramatic surge and a third COVID-19 death in Tipton County
Tipton County saw its biggest increase in confirmed cases Monday and added an additional death as well. The majority of the 214-case increase includes inmates at the CoreCivic-owned West Tennessee Detention Facility in Mason where there are now 250 total confirmed cases. "COVID is really sweeping through that facility," said county executive Jeff Huffman. "So Tipton County’s … [Read more...] about May 11: Another dramatic surge and a third COVID-19 death in Tipton County
May 4: The outbreak at the prison grows and Tipton also records its first COVID-19 death
As Tipton County's COVID-19 cases rise, the county also recorded its first COVID-19 death. The Tennessee Department of Health will not release the identity of the patient who died, but The Leader has learned it is a man who was hospitalized in Memphis. He died on Sunday. There is currently one COVID-positive patient hospitalized at Baptist-Tipton. TDH does not provide … [Read more...] about May 4: The outbreak at the prison grows and Tipton also records its first COVID-19 death
May 3: Tipton County sees its biggest one-day spike in confirmed cases
On Sunday, May 3, Tipton County recorded its biggest one-day spike in confirmed cases of COVID-19, going from 99 or 106 cases to 146. The Leader is still working to find out what contributed to the increase. One of the Tennessee Department of Health's doctors reported Tuesday night the county was at 101 cases, and elected officials have been told it was as high as 106 cases, … [Read more...] about May 3: Tipton County sees its biggest one-day spike in confirmed cases
April 20: There’s a COVID-19 outbreak at the prison in Mason
More than two dozen confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported at the West Tennessee Detention Facility, county executive Jeff Huffman said Monday morning. The U.S. Marshals Service, which houses its inmates in Mason, confirmed Monday afternoon there were 28 inmates who'd tested positive. Those cases brought Tipton's total confirmed cases to 83 Monday. The 600-bed prison … [Read more...] about April 20: There’s a COVID-19 outbreak at the prison in Mason
