Facility
EFFINGHAM COUNTY PRISON
GPS facility profile for EFFINGHAM COUNTY PRISON. Population: 182. 1 deaths tracked.
Key Facts
1,770
Total deaths tracked by GPS across GDC system, 2020–April 2026 (GDC does not publicly report cause of death)
70
GDC deaths tracked by GPS in 2026 through April 8 — including 23 homicides and 36 still unknown/pending
52,915
Total GDC population as of April 3, 2026, with 2,389 additional people in county jail backlog awaiting beds
~50%
Statewide GDC correctional officer vacancy rate documented in GPS February 2025 analysis
$5M
Largest verified GDC wrongful death settlement in GPS records — Thomas Henry Giles case
Named transfer facility
Effingham County Prison identified in January 2026 firsthand testimony by former inmate Earl White as one of multiple GDC facilities where systemic failures were experienced
By the Numbers
52,804
Total GDC Population
1,779
Total Deaths Tracked by GPS
47
In Mental Health Crisis
1,261
Poorly Controlled Health Conditions
30,058
Violent Offenders (56.30%)
5,163
Drug Admissions (2025)
Facility Overview
EFFINGHAM COUNTY PRISON is located in Springfield, Effingham County. The facility is currently led by Warden Joseph Scroggins.
Population and Capacity
Current population: 182.
Deaths in Custody
GPS has tracked 1 death at this facility.
GPS Monitoring
GPS tracks this facility through weekly population reports, mortality records, and public records monitoring. Intelligence will be expanded as additional reporting and source material becomes available.
Timeline
January 14, 2026
Former inmate Brandon describes gang violence and lack of safety report
January 12, 2026
Deadly riot at Washington County facility with three deaths and multiple injuries incident
January 12, 2026
Deadly riot at Washington County facility leaves 3 dead, 12+ injured incident
January 12, 2026
Deadly riot at Washington County facility with three deaths and injuries incident
January 12, 2026
Deadly riot at Washington State Prison leaves three dead and more than a dozen injured incident
January 12, 2026
Deadly riot at Washington County facility leaves three men dead incident
January 12, 2026
Deadly riot at Washington State Prison leaves three men dead and more than a dozen injured incident
January 12, 2026
Deadly riot at Washington County facility leaves three incarcerated men dead and more than a dozen injured incident
January 31, 2025
Statewide correctional officer vacancies average 50% while prison populations have doubled since original facility design, creating staffing crisis report