Georgia Prison Officials Promoted Security Chief After Inmate Tortured for Three Weeks

Christian Krauch survived three weeks of torture at Macon State Prison while staff failed to conduct required counts 168 times, yet the security chief was promoted and no arrests were made.

Christian Krauch was tortured for three weeks at Macon State Prison in June 2024, hidden under a bunk while staff failed to conduct required counts, resulting in life-threatening injuries requiring double amputation. The case exemplifies systemic failures across Georgia's prison system, where overcrowding at 221% of design capacity, two-thirds staff vacancies, and falsified records create conditions the DOJ found unconstitutional.

Facility Breakdown

What GPS Documented (Original Findings)

• Christian Krauch was tortured for three weeks at Macon State Prison in June 2024, suffering injuries requiring amputation of his right hand and leg (GPS original reporting with family confirmation via GoFundMe)
• Charles Hudson was promoted from Chief of Security at Macon State Prison to Deputy Warden at Dooly State Prison on August 16, 2024 (GDC Press Release dated August 16, 2024)
• Macon State Prison operates at 221% of its original design capacity (1,660+ people in facility designed for 750) (GPS facilities data and Wikipedia reference)

Data source: GPS analysis of GDC Monthly Reports and family interviews

What DOJ Already Confirmed

• GDC's grossly inadequate staffing leaves incarcerated persons unsupervised and hampers staff's ability to respond to violence (Pages DOJ Findings Report)
• Two-thirds of correctional officer positions at Macon State Prison were unfilled as of October 2024 (Pages Referenced from Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting)

What GDC Concealed

• No press release was issued about the three-week torture incident despite its severity
• Staff failed to conduct required counts 168 times (8 times daily for 21 days) while victim was hidden under bunk
• No arrests were made despite clear evidence of prolonged torture

Quotables

“He has absolutely NO money, NO insurance, NO where to live and is unable to work due to all of the trauma that his body went through, as well as PTSD. My brother said that his insides feel like they are falling out.”

— Patience Franklin, Christian Krauch's sister

“grossly inadequate staffing leaves incarcerated persons unsupervised and hampers staff's ability to respond to violence”

— Department of Justice findings report

“consistently excelled in each position he has held within the agency”

— GDC press release announcing Hudson's promotion

“not unusual to arrive at the prison after a death and find just five to eight officers staffing the entire facility”

— Macon County coroner (via AJC reporting)

Story Angles

• Local: Macon County families affected by prison violence, local law enforcement response to torture case
• Policy: Georgia spending $1.2 billion annually on corrections while operating at 221% capacity with two-thirds staff vacancies
• Accountability: Officials who ignored warnings promoted rather than disciplined, no arrests despite clear evidence of torture
• Data: Request count records, staffing data, and incident reports to verify systemic failures across Georgia prison system

Records Journalists Should Request

Georgia Open Records Act:

1. Daily Inmate Count Sheets – Macon State Prison — Georgia Department of Corrections
2. Incident Reports – Christian Krauch — Georgia Department of Corrections
3. Personnel Records – Charles Hudson — Georgia Department of Corrections
4. Staffing Reports – Macon State Prison — Georgia Department of Corrections

Federal FOIA:

1. DOJ Civil Rights Division correspondence with GDC regarding Macon State Prison — DOJ Civil Rights Division

Sources Available for Interview

Families:

• Patience Franklin, sister of Christian Krauch

Incarcerated Witnesses:

• Incarcerated witnesses at Macon State Prison, anonymous, background only

Experts:

• Available through GPS — Prison reform organizations

Officials Who Should Be Asked for Comment

• Timothy Sales, Warden — Facility commander during torture incident, responsible for count procedures
• Charles Hudson, Deputy Warden of Security — Security chief during incident who was subsequently promoted
• Tyrone Oliver, Commissioner — Announced Hudson's promotion, oversees system-wide policies
• Brian Kemp, Governor — Hired consultants who documented staffing crisis, ultimate accountability

Questions GDC Has Not Answered

1. Why were required counts not conducted for three weeks while Krauch was hidden under a bunk?
2. What disciplinary action was taken against staff who failed to conduct counts?
3. Why was no press release issued about the torture incident?
4. What investigation was conducted into the incident?
5. Why was the security chief promoted rather than held accountable?

Source Documents

• DOJ Findings Report – Investigation of Georgia Prisons — Federal investigation documenting unconstitutional conditions including staffing failures
• GDC Press Release – Charles Hudson Promotion — August 16, 2024 announcement of Hudson's promotion with praise for his performance
• Christian Krauch GoFundMe Page — Family fundraising page with details about injuries and medical needs