Bill Press had legal documents proving his release. Officers ignored them. He’s been fighting for six years. In 2018, Bill Press was taken into custody at work despite having papers confirming his lawful release 14 months earlier. The Georgia Department of Corrections re-incarcerated him without a warrant, without verification, and without accountability. His case exposes a system where administrative errors can steal years from innocent people’s lives. The DOJ found Georgia’s prisons show “deliberate indifference” to violence—apparently that extends to basic record-keeping too. 1
What Happened to Bill Press
A man wrongfully re-imprisoned:
- 2018—taken into custody at work
- Legal release documents—presented and ignored
- 14 months free—prior to wrongful arrest
- Six years fighting—still seeking freedom
Bill Press’s family lost their primary income. His children grew up without their father. The emotional and financial devastation continues while the system that caused it refuses accountability.
Systemic Failures
The GDC’s administrative problems:
- Poor record-keeping—basic documentation errors
- No verification procedures—arrests without warrant verification
- Appeals ignored—documented proof rejected repeatedly
- No accountability—officials face no consequences
The same system that manages 50,000 people saw prison homicides increase 400% since 2018. Administrative failures and violent conditions share the same root cause: deliberate indifference. 2
What Reform Requires
Preventing cases like Bill Press’s:
- Digital record-keeping—modern systems to reduce errors
- Independent audits—external verification of records
- Mandatory reviews—before any re-incarceration
- Accountability measures—consequences for failures
The DOJ found Georgia’s prison system violates constitutional rights. Bill Press’s case is proof that administrative failures can be as destructive as violence.
Take Action
Use Impact Justice AI to send advocacy emails demanding accountability in Georgia’s corrections system. The free tool crafts personalized messages to Georgia lawmakers—no experience required.
Demand:
- Modernized record-keeping systems
- Independent oversight of re-incarceration decisions
- Accountability for administrative failures
- Justice for Bill Press and others wrongfully held
Further Reading
- Wrongfully Convicted: Georgia’s Broken Justice System and Its Innocent Victims
- Corruption Unchecked: How Mismanagement Fuels Georgia’s Prison Crisis
- GPS Informational Resources
- Pathways to Success
About Georgia Prisoners’ Speak (GPS)
Georgia Prisoners’ Speak (GPS) is a nonprofit investigative newsroom built in partnership with incarcerated reporters, families, advocates, and data analysts. Operating independently from the Georgia Department of Corrections, GPS documents the truth the state refuses to acknowledge: extreme violence, fatal medical neglect, gang-controlled dorms, collapsed staffing, fraudulent reporting practices, and unconstitutional conditions across Georgia’s prisons.
Through confidential reporting channels, secure communication, evidence verification, public-records requests, legislative research, and professional investigative standards, GPS provides the transparency the system lacks. Our mission is to expose abuses, protect incarcerated people, support families, and push Georgia toward meaningful reform based on human rights, evidence, and public accountability.
Every article is part of a larger fight — to end the silence, reveal the truth, and demand justice.
