WHITEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Authorities at the Hardeman County Correctional Facility say the prison in Whiteville has been locked down after an inmate was found dead in his cell.
According to a statement from Corrections Corporation of America, a Tennessee state inmate was found unresponsive in his cell around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday. The medical staff treated him until the arrival of emergency medical responders, but they were unable to revive him.
The cause of death has not been determined and the inmate's name was not released. The facility remained on lockdown status on Wednesday afternoon, which means inmates are restricted to their cells.
The Tennessee Department of Correction's Internal Affairs is investigating. The 2,016-bed facility is operated by CCA under contract with the state.
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