Fact check
“A teen diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and other mental health conditions did not get needed individual therapy for months while in a Crews facility.”
Reasoning
The ProPublica article reports that a lawsuit alleges a teen diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health conditions did not receive needed individual therapy for months while housed in a Crews facility. The claim matches this reported allegation.
On confidence: Multiple excerpts from a reputable investigative article directly state the teen's diagnosis and lack of individual therapy for months while in a Crews facility.
Important context
The statement comes from a lawsuit cited in the article; the Department of Children's Services disputed some allegations but the article presents the lawsuit's claim as factual reporting.
Evidence
Supporting (3)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceTennessee to Spend Millions on New Youth Prisons Despite Juvenile Crime Drop — ProPublica
the lawsuit, have had policies barring youth from attending school if they misbehave. One teen, diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and other mental health conditions, did not get needed individual therapy for months…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceTennessee to Spend Millions on New Youth Prisons Despite Juvenile Crime Drop — ProPublica
that the department places youth in facilities that are more punitive than rehabilitative. Some teens placed in prison, the lawsuit said, should not be there at all. The lawsuit also claimed that Tennessee’s juvenile justice facilities…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceTennessee to Spend Millions on New Youth Prisons Despite Juvenile Crime Drop — ProPublica
in a Crews facility, the lawsuit stated, and only got a couple of hours of education each day. Several other contractors’ jails and treatment centers across the state are referenced by name in the lawsuit. DCS said in a legal filing that…
Limitations
The evidence reflects allegations in a lawsuit; independent verification beyond the lawsuit's claim is not provided in the excerpts.
- Last verified:
- Sep 27, 2026, 4:37 AM CDT
- Pipeline:
- 2.1.0
- Claim type:
- Factual
Where this claim appeared
Across the Country, Youth Prisons Are Closing. This State Is Building More.ProPublica · Paige Pfleger