In 2018, the ADA requested to join a federal lawsuit filed in 2017 on behalf of individuals with insulin-treated diabetes who are incarcerated at Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility in Tennessee. Trousdale Turner is operated by the second-largest private prison management firm in the U.S., CoreCivic, formerly the Corrections Corporation of America.
In general, it is very common for people with diabetes to receive extremely inadequate care in jail or prison. Across the nation, many people have died in custody because they were denied access to insulin, blood sugar monitoring, or appropriate low blood sugar treatment. Those who do not die from inadequate care usually face a higher risk of serious complications such as vision impairment, amputations, heart attack, and stroke.
The ADA moved to join this lawsuit in furtherance of its mission, to support all people who are affected by diabetes.
In September 2018, the judge denied ADA’s motion to intervene, ruling that it was untimely. At the same time, the judge certified the case as a class action and denied CoreCivic’s and Tennessee Department of Corrections’ motions to dismiss and for summary judgment. As a result, the case will continue on behalf of all inmates with Type 1 and insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes who are or may become housed at Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility and who require access to blood sugar checks and insulin administration in coordination with regular mealtimes.
This page will be updated with case documents and other important information as it becomes available. For the ADA’s press release regarding the lawsuit, visit the Newsroom.
Additional Information:
Amended Complaint (PDF)
The Tennessean: New Tennessee CCA prison stops taking inmates amid 'serious issues'
Order Granting Class Certification
Order Denying Motions for Summary Judgment and to Dismiss
