Official Statement from Georgia Prisoners’ Speak on the Use of Incarcerated Individuals for Staff Security Functions in Georgia Prisons
Recent testimonies from various state prisons in Georgia, including Dooly State Prison, Smith State Prison, and Valdosta State Prison, have exposed a troubling practice where correctional officers recruit and utilize incarcerated individuals to perform staff security functions. This practice goes beyond basic tasks, such as serving food in segregation units (“the hole”), and extends to more critical and sensitive roles involving the safety and security of the facilities. Inmates have been reported assisting officers with duties such as monitoring chow halls, accompanying officers during inmate counts, and even escorting other inmates while they are in restraints.
At Valdosta State Prison, it has been reported that inmates, often motivated by small rewards like snacks, are instructed by prison officials to escort other restrained inmates without any officer present—a clear dereliction of standard security protocols. The use of inmates to handle such sensitive tasks, including holding the arms of handcuffed inmates and instructing them on where to wait, demonstrates an alarming abdication of responsibility by prison staff. These actions suggest that the prison administration, including unit managers, is not only aware of these practices but may be actively encouraging them, either explicitly or through negligence.
While it is unclear if the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) officially sanctions these practices, the repeated and widespread nature of these incidents across multiple facilities indicates a systemic issue. The GDC appears to be turning a blind eye to these unauthorized practices, thereby allowing them to persist unchecked. This lack of oversight and accountability raises serious ethical concerns and poses significant dangers to the safety and well-being of the incarcerated population.
Allowing certain inmates—often referred to as “trustees”—to assume quasi-authoritative roles can lead to severe consequences, including power imbalances, abuse of authority, and exploitation. These inmates, who are placed in positions of relative power, can leverage their roles to coerce, intimidate, or extort their peers, undermining the principles of fairness and justice that the correctional system is supposed to uphold. This power dynamic can foster a climate of fear and exploitation, where vulnerable inmates feel compelled to comply with the demands of these “trustees” in order to receive basic needs or avoid punitive measures.
Furthermore, the delegation of security functions to inmates can erode the professional standards expected of correctional officers and compromise safety protocols meant to protect all individuals within the prison. This creates a blurred line of authority and diminishes the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms crucial for maintaining a safe and secure environment. Such practices could lead to conflicts of interest, biased treatment, and a breakdown of institutional order, further endangering both the inmate population and staff.
We urge the Georgia Department of Corrections to conduct a thorough investigation into these practices and ensure that all security functions remain strictly under the purview of trained correctional staff. This is essential to safeguard the rights, dignity, and safety of all individuals within the correctional system and to restore trust in the administration of justice.