Tennessee Correction Department requests $13M pay increase for embattled private

The Tennessee Department of Correction is asking to add $13 million to its budget for CoreCivic, despite a federal civil rights investigation into the private prison company. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Tennessee’s Department of Correction is seeking a $13 million contract increase for the state’s private-prison company amid questions about a riot and federal civil rights investigation.

Correction Commissioner Frank Strada did not mention the boost for Brentwood-based CoreCivic during Tuesday budget hearings with Gov. Bill Lee. But it is part of an $86 million increase the department is requesting for fiscal 2026-27, which would push its annual operating budget to $1.57 billion.

Strada, who has repeatedly called CoreCivic a state “partner,” said afterward the contract incr