West Tennessee State Penitentiary (WTSP) is a Tennessee Department of Correction prison located in unincorporated Lauderdale County, Tennessee, near Henning."West Tennessee State Penitentiary." Tennessee Department of Correction. Retrieved on September 26, 2010. Site #1 of WTSP formerly housed the Cold Creek Correctional Facility."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)"
The West Tennessee High Security Facility (WTHSF) became operational in 1990."HISTORICAL TIMELINE – (1700–2003)." Tennessee Department of Correction. 12 (12/16). Retrieved on September 26, 2010. 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."HISTORICAL TIMELINE – (1700–2003)." Tennessee Department of Correction. 14 (14/16). Retrieved on September 26, 2010.
Notable inmates Notable prisoners held at the facility include: Letalvis Cobbins – convicted of the murders of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom 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.https://wcyb.com/newsletter-daily/megan-boswell-verdict-in 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.https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/8175023/shanterrica-madden-sentenced-29-years-prison-fatally-stabbing-middle-tennessee-state-tina-stewarthttps://foil.app.tn.gov/foil/details.jsp 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. Melissa Blair – Serial rapist convicted of the human trafficking and statutory rapes of 18 underage boys (age range between 14 and 17). Currently serving a 22-year prison sentence.
References
External links
"West Tennessee State Penitentiary." Tennessee Department of Correction. "West Tennessee High Security Facility." Tennessee Department of Correction. (Archive)