Turney Center Industrial Complex

The Turney Center Industrial Complex (TCIX), located approximately an hour west of Nashville in Only, is a time-building prison with an emphasis on industry.  With an operating capacity of 1,574 inmates, TCIX houses male offenders with custody levels ranging from minimum to close.

The facility, originally named the Turney Center for Youthful Offenders, became operational in 1971.  It was named after Governor Peter Turney, the first governor to advocate for the rehabilitation of inmates and housing juveniles separate from adults.  Over the last five decades, the facility has also been called the Turney Center Prison and the Turney Center Industrial Farm & Prison, finally assuming its current name in 2008.

TCIX offers its population a variety of evidence-based programs to meet the rehabilitative needs of offenders.  Offenders have access to Adult Basic Education (ABE) and vocational programming including Career Management for Success, Core Carpentry I & II, and Cosmetology.  TCIX also addresses the behavioral health needs of inmates with programs such as the cognitive behavior intervention, substance use group therapy, workforce development, and the Young Adult Offender Program.

Through community partnerships, TCIX offers:

• Associate degree program through Nashville State Community College
• Bachelor’s degree program through partnership through Belmont University & Nashville State
• Certifications in Farming Operations Technology, Building Construction Technology, and Computer Information Technology through the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT)
• Tennessee Rehabilitative Initiative in Correction (TRICOR) offers hundreds of inmates’ jobs with transferrable skillsets through the industry flooring plant
• Retrieving Independence, a program where offenders train puppies to be service animals for with individuals living with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities

Offenders not involved in academic or vocational programs are required to work in support service roles throughout the prison including landscaping, janitorial services, or food services.

In addition to the main site, TCIX also operates an annex, located roughly an hour southwest of the main compound in Waynesboro. The Turney Center Annex houses male, minimum custody offenders and offers a range of specialized programs to help offenders succeed upon release.

This includes the Special Alternative Incarceration Unit (SAIU) or boot camp program, and the Probation/Parole Technical Violators Unit – all of which are highly structured and combine community service work, life skills, and substance use treatment.  Most of the population is assigned to community service - providing thousands of hours of labor to five counties, including state and local government, churches, cemeteries, and other non-profit organizations in southern middle Tennessee.

The annex also offers a therapeutic community program, High School Equivalency exam prep courses (HiSET), and Adult Basic Education (ABE).

Watch the videos below to learn more about the Turney Center Industrial Complex:

Related Links

• Rehabilitation
• Offender Health Care
• Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)