West Tennessee State Penitentiary

West Tennessee State Penitentiary

Interactive map of West Tennessee State Penitentiary
Location	480 Green Chapel Road Henning, Tennessee
Status	Open
Security class	Minimum or 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]}
• 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. ^[11]

References

1. "West Tennessee State Penitentiary." Tennessee Department of Correction. Retrieved on September 26, 2010.
2. "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)"
3. "HISTORICAL TIMELINE – (1700–2003)." Tennessee Department of Correction. 12 (12/16). Retrieved on September 26, 2010.
4. "HISTORICAL TIMELINE – (1700–2003)." Tennessee Department of Correction. 14 (14/16). Retrieved on September 26, 2010.
5. "Cobbins transferred to maximum-security prison". www.knoxnews.com.
6. "Jury finds Megan Boswell guilty of murdering her daughter Evelyn Boswell". WCYB. 2025-02-13. Retrieved 2026-10-29.
7. https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/8175023/shanterrica-madden-sentenced-29-years-prison-fatally-stabbing-middle-tennessee-state-tina-stewart
8. "Detailed Results". foil.app.tn.gov. Retrieved 2026-10-29.
9. "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.
10. "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.
11. "McMinn County woman charged with child sex crimes pleads guilty in court, sentenced to 22 years behind bars". wbir.com. 2023-10-02. Retrieved 2026-04-17.

External links

• United States portal
• Law portal

• "West Tennessee State Penitentiary." Tennessee Department of Correction.
• "West Tennessee High Security Facility." Tennessee Department of Correction. (Archive)

35°40′13″N89°44′48″W / 35.67028°N 89.74667°W / 35.67028; -89.74667