Leaders of Tennessee Prison for Women on leave amid probe

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The three top wardens at the Tennessee Prison for Women have been placed on leave while state officials investigate possible protocol violations at the Nashville facility.

The Tennessean (http://tnne.ws/2du5Lmy ) reports that Warden Carolyn Jordan, Associate Warden Pat Ryan and Associate Warden Carolyn Benford have all left the state’s largest prison for women within the last week.

Department of Correction spokeswoman Neysa Taylor said in an email that officials are looking into possible issues with the “enforcement of TDOC processes and protocols.”

Taylor says concerns have been raised about the wardens’ leadership. She declined to give further details until the investigation is complete.

Deborah Johnson, the correctional administrator who oversees the four public prisons in Middle Tennessee, is currently leading the facility, which had 814 inmates as of Aug. 31.