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Georgia’s prison system has come under sustained scrutiny from federal investigators, state consultants, and investigative reporters. This page collects recent coverage so readers can follow the crisis — and the push for reform.
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‘It’s a mess:’ Chief justice asks lawmakers to fix criminal court rules
The way convicted criminals must bring claims of incompetence against their lawyers is “a mess” created by decades of Georgia Supreme Court rulings, its top judge says in urging state lawmakers to fix the problem. Chief Justice Nels Peterson said Tuesday that Georgia has made itself an outlier in the procedure for claiming a criminal ... <p class="read-more-container"><a title="‘It’s a mess:’ Chief justice asks lawmakers to fix criminal court rules" class="read-more button" href="https://gps.press/gps-news/its-a-mess-chief-justice-asks-lawmakers-to-fix-criminal-court-rules/#more-9091" aria-label="Read more about ‘It’s a mess:’ Chief justice asks lawmakers to fix criminal court rules">Read more</a></p>
Retribution or Augmentation? The GDC Inmate Who Mailed Bombs from a Prison in Tattnall County – The Georgia Virtue
Retribution or Augmentation? The GDC Inmate Who Mailed Bombs from a Prison in Tattnall County The Georgia Virtue
WALB
Family demands answers after inmate dies following balcony fall at SGA prison Willis family still seeking transparency years after son’s death at Calhoun State Prison
Inmate dies at Coastal State Prison – MSN
16 hours ago … SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – A Coastal State Prison inmate died on Sunday, the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has confirmed to WTOC.
Federal judge chides Georgia prison boss and GDC for acting ‘above the law’ – AJC.com
Federal judge chides Georgia prison boss and GDC for acting ‘above the law’ MACON — A federal judge on Tuesday scolded the Georgia Department of Corrections’ persistent failure to comply with court orders and questioned whether the department deems itself “above the law.” U.S. District Court Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self III went so far ... <p class="read-more-container"><a title="Federal judge chides Georgia prison boss and GDC for acting ‘above the law’ – AJC.com" class="read-more button" href="https://gps.press/gps-news/federal-judge-chides-georgia-prison-boss-and-gdc-for-acting-above-the-law-ajc-com-2/#more-8212" aria-label="Read more about Federal judge chides Georgia prison boss and GDC for acting ‘above the law’ – AJC.com">Read more</a></p>
Day after deadly Georgia prison brawl, 2nd fight breaks out at nearby site – AJC.com
Day after deadly Georgia prison brawl, 2nd fight breaks out at nearby site AJC.com
Inmate set for release this week among 3 dead in Georgia prison fight – AJC.com
Inmate set for release this week among 3 dead in Georgia prison fight Aquinas Stillwell was prepared for his youngest brother to be released from prison Wednesday. Jimmy Trammell, 42, had spent the past decade behind bars. The brothers were going to meet up at a Greyhound bus stop in Atlanta in three days. But ... <p class="read-more-container"><a title="Inmate set for release this week among 3 dead in Georgia prison fight – AJC.com" class="read-more button" href="https://gps.press/gps-news/inmate-set-for-release-this-week-among-3-dead-in-georgia-prison-fight-ajc-com/#more-7576" aria-label="Read more about Inmate set for release this week among 3 dead in Georgia prison fight – AJC.com">Read more</a></p>
Georgia prison homicides outpacing last year
The Georgia Department of Corrections is investigating 42 deaths as possible homicides in the first six months of this year, already representing nearly two-thirds of the 66 suspected prison homicides investigated during all of last year. The current pace
Prison staff was warned of gun used to kill kitchen worker, lawsuit alleges – AJC.com
Prison staff was warned of gun used to kill kitchen worker, lawsuit alleges The mother of a Georgia prison food service worker shot and killed by an inmate last year said officials knew there was a gun inside the Glennville facility for more than a year but failed to act. Deshonda Hagins is now raising ... <p class="read-more-container"><a title="Prison staff was warned of gun used to kill kitchen worker, lawsuit alleges – AJC.com" class="read-more button" href="https://gps.press/gps-news/prison-staff-was-warned-of-gun-used-to-kill-kitchen-worker-lawsuit-alleges-ajc-com/#more-7246" aria-label="Read more about Prison staff was warned of gun used to kill kitchen worker, lawsuit alleges – AJC.com">Read more</a></p>
Broken Buildings, Broken People
The article describes how long-term prisoners like “Jerry,” serving decades-long sentences in deteriorating facilities, sometimes engage in destructive behavior that costs taxpayers hundreds of dollars per incident due to the psychological toll of extended incarceration. The authors
Imprisoned People Can Do More than ‘Scare’ Kids ‘Straight’
The article argues that “Scared Straight” programs, which involve prisoners intimidating at-risk youth, are ineffective and may actually increase recidivism rates according to multiple academic studies. Instead, the piece advocates for mentorship programs where
How Prison Dog-Training Programs Transform Lives
“We are not just training dogs — we are training ourselves to be better humans.” The post How Prison Dog-Training Programs Transform Lives appeared first on The Appeal.
How ‘Bankruptcy’ Lets Private Prison Contractors Evade Accountability
Wellpath, one of the nation’s largest private correctional medical contractors, has conveniently filed for bankruptcy as it faces scores of lawsuits for alleged neglect and misconduct. The post How ‘Bankruptcy’ Lets Private Prison Contractors Evade Accountability appeared first on The Appeal.
Too few guards and too many drones: Georgia prisons leaders alert lawmakers to dangers
Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver warned state lawmakers about two critical challenges facing the prison system: severe staffing shortages among correctional officers and an increasing problem with drones delivering contraband into facilities. Oliver highlighted these issues as pressing
Gov. Kemp recommends adding $372 million to shore up Georgia prisons – Georgia Public Broadcasting
Governor Brian Kemp has recommended adding $372 million to Georgia’s prison budget to address ongoing staffing and infrastructure challenges within the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC). The funding proposal comes as the state’s prison system continues to g
State prisons chief pitches case for funding boost – Georgia Public Broadcasting
State prisons chief pitches case for funding boost Georgia Public Broadcasting
The federal Department of Justice: ‘deliberate indifference’ to violence in Georgia prisons – Georgia Public Broadcasting
The federal Department of Justice: ‘deliberate indifference’ to violence in Georgia prisons Georgia Public Broadcasting
Georgia prisons chief tells state lawmakers drones are smuggling deadly contraband into prisons – Georgia Public Broadcasting
Georgia prisons chief tells state lawmakers drones are smuggling deadly contraband into prisons Georgia Public Broadcasting
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Crime Laws: How Louisiana, Georgia, Other States Embrace ‘Tough-on-Crime
Louisiana lawmakers have passed a suite of punitive criminal justice laws that will likely make it the most carceral state in the nation, including ending parole for most new convictions and requiring defendants to serve 85% of their sentences before release.
Data Reveals Prison Crisis: More Prisoners, Fewer Correctional Officers
New data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that state prison populations are rebounding while correctional staff numbers have dropped 10% since 2019, creating a nationwide staffing crisis. Georgia’s prison system exemplifies this crisis, with
As Corrections Officers Quit in Droves, Prisons Get Even More Dangerous
A nationwide corrections officer shortage has reached crisis levels, with Georgia prisons reporting vacancy rates as high as 70% and officers testifying to supervising 400-1,200 prisoners alone during shifts. The staffing crisis, exacerb
Retribution or Augmentation? The GDC Inmate Who Mailed Bombs from a Prison in Tattnall County – The Georgia Virtue
Retribution or Augmentation? The GDC Inmate Who Mailed Bombs from a Prison in Tattnall County The Georgia Virtue
Inmate dies at Coastal State Prison – MSN
16 hours ago … SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – A Coastal State Prison inmate died on Sunday, the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has confirmed to WTOC.
Family Demands Answers After Inmate Dies in Fall at Georgia Prison
Willie Andrew Willis Jr. died at Calhoun State Prison after suffering catastrophic injuries from a fall, with his family still seeking answers one year later about the circumstances and why medical treatment was delayed nearly an hour. Willis told his family he had
GDC confirms inmate death after ‘altercation’ at Hancock State Prison – 41NBC News
GDC confirms inmate death after ‘altercation’ at Hancock State Prison 41NBC News
Second Georgia prison fight erupts a day after deadly brawl
Day after deadly Georgia prison brawl, 2nd fight breaks out at nearby site For the second time in two days, a fight broke out in a Georgia prison. On Monday night, at least two inmates were injured during a brawl inside Hancock State Prison, authorities said. Officials did not detail the severity of the injuries ... <p class="read-more-container"><a title="Second Georgia prison fight erupts a day after deadly brawl" class="read-more button" href="https://gps.press/gps-news/second-georgia-prison-fight-erupts-a-day-after-deadly-brawl/#more-7631" aria-label="Read more about Second Georgia prison fight erupts a day after deadly brawl">Read more</a></p>
ITUC Observations under Article 23 – USA C105 (Forced Labour)
ITUC observations on forced labor practices in U.S. prisons, including Georgia, submitted under ILO Convention 105.
U.S. Department of Justice Findings Report on Georgia Prisons
The DOJ’s 94-page findings report detailing inhumane conditions, violence, gang control, and constitutional violations in Georgia’s state prison system.
Georgia prisoner strike comes out of lockdown
Georgia prisoners ended a week-long lockdown and returned to their cells following what organizers called the largest prison work strike in U.S. history, involving thousands of inmates across 10 Georgia Department of Corrections facilities. The coordinated strike
Georgia Prisoners’ Strike: “We locked ourselves down.”
Georgia Department of Corrections prisoners conducted a strike action in December 2010, with inmates describing their protest as “locking themselves down.”
Georgia Prison Strike: A Hidden Labor Force Resists
On December 9, 2010, inmates at at least six Georgia Department of Corrections facilities conducted a coordinated work strike called “Lockdown for Liberty,” refusing to leave their cells to report to jobs and activities. The six-day
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