West Tennessee State Penitentiary
Interactive map of West Tennessee State Penitentiary | |
| Location | 480 Green Chapel Road Henning, Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Status | open |
| Security class | minimum to maximum |
| Capacity | 1,082 |
| Opened | 1990 |
| Managed by | Tennessee Department of Correction |
| Director | Johnny Fitz |
West Tennessee State Penitentiary (WTSP) is a Tennessee Department of Correction prison located in unincorporated Lauderdale County, Tennessee, near Henning.[1] Site #1 of WTSP formerly housed the Cold Creek Correctional Facility.[2]
The West Tennessee High Security Facility (WTHSF) became operational in 1990.[3] In 1999 the Cold Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) closed. CCCF was replaced by a medium security complex built next to WTHSF. The two complexes and the CCCF minimum security annex were operationally combined and became the WTSP.[4]
Notable inmates
Notable prisoners held at the facility include:
- Letalvis Cobbins – convicted of the murders of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom[5]
- Megan Boswell, Toddler killer Megan Boswell has been transferred to a prison in West Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Department of Correction. Boswell was convicted on February 13, 2025 of numerous crimes, including the murder of her daughter, 1-year-old Evelyn Boswell.[6]
- Shanterrica Madden - Murdered roommate and former Middle Tennessee State University basketball player Tina Stewart in March 2011, during an argument that eventually turned physical, resulting in Stewart's death.[7][8]
- Alissa McCommon - Former elementary school teacher convicted of the statutory rape of a 12-year-old male student. She is a suspected serial rapist, as police believe she may have raped/abused an additional twenty one underage boys.[9][10]
References
- ^ "West Tennessee State Penitentiary." Tennessee Department of Correction. Retrieved on September 26, 2010.
- ^ "Risk Management." Tennessee Department of Treasury. Retrieved on September 26, 2010. "249 West TN State Penitentiary - Site #1 (formerly Cold Creek Correctional Facility - Fort Pillow)"
- ^ "HISTORICAL TIMELINE - (1700 - 2003)." Tennessee Department of Correction. 12 (12/16). Retrieved on September 26, 2010.
- ^ "HISTORICAL TIMELINE - (1700 - 2003)." Tennessee Department of Correction. 14 (14/16). Retrieved on September 26, 2010.
- ^ "Cobbins transferred to maximum-security prison". www.knoxnews.com.
- ^ https://wcyb.com/newsletter-daily/megan-boswell-verdict-in
- ^ https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/8175023/shanterrica-madden-sentenced-29-years-prison-fatally-stabbing-middle-tennessee-state-tina-stewart
- ^ https://foil.app.tn.gov/foil/details.jsp
- ^ "Teacher Who Got Pregnant After Raping Boy, 12, Gets 25 Years in Prison: 'Burn in Hell'". People.com. Archived from the original on 2025-07-24. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ "Former Tipton County teacher indicted on new sex charges; 21 potential victims found". WREG.com. 2024-03-08. Archived from the original on 2024-07-09. Retrieved 2026-02-22.