GPS RESEARCH LIBRARY: Ware State Prison: the public record, 2015 to 2026 ============================================================ Georgia Prisoners' Speak — gps.press Generated: 2026-10-24 16:38:06 EDT Research Date: 2026-10-21 Topic: Ware State Prison (Waycross): capacity, deaths and violence, prosecutions, lawsuits, staffing, money and audits JSON: https://gps.press/research-data/ware-state-prison-the-public-record-2015-to-2026/?format=json SUMMARY ---------------------------------------- This collection sets out facts from public sources on the subject in its title, drawn from Georgia, federal sources, national and multi-state sources and other sources. Each entry gives a short statement, the exact passage from the source that supports it, and the source's title, web address and the date it was retrieved. Searches of a source that found no match are listed too, with the wordings that were tried. The entries record what each source said when it was retrieved. They aren't a complete account of the subject, and they don't add analysis or conclusions. STATISTICS (55) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] GDC investigated 66 prisoner homicides in one year The Georgia Department of Corrections told the AJC it investigated 66 prisoner deaths deemed to be homicides in Georgia's state prison system last year. The agency did not name those killed or reveal the prisons where they died; the AJC independently identified 62 people who died from suspected or confirmed homicides that year. Value: 66.0 homicides (vs. 62 homicides identified by AJC) Tags: violence,death,investigations Sources: Georgia prison homicides soar as lawmakers focus on fixes - [confirmed] Ware State Prison total maintenance expenditures FY2010-FY2011 The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' 'Maintenance of State Prisons' special examination reports that Ware State Prison's total maintenance expenditures across FY2010 and FY2011 combined were $1,733,431.99, consisting of $953,083.38 in FY2010 and $780,348.61 in FY2011. Value: 1733431.99 USD Tags: budget,facilities,operations Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [reported] AJC lists 10 homicides at Ware State Prison The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's list of people killed in Georgia's prison system includes a table header stating 'Ware State Prison: 10 homicides.' Value: 10.0 homicides Tags: violence,death,facilities Sources: Ga prison homicides: A list of those killed in Georgia's prison system - [reported] AJC reports 10 homicides at Ware State Prison since 2020 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's list of Georgia prison homicides reports 10 homicides at Ware State Prison since 2020, including Robert Lee Wilson III (died July 17, 2020, multiple stab wounds). Value: 10.0 homicides Tags: violence,death,facilities Sources: Ga prison homicides: A list of those killed in Georgia's prison system - [reported] Total prisoner deaths reached record 332, up about 27% A tally of all prisoner deaths in Georgia prisons last year reached a record 332, up about 27% from the prior year's toll and well above the total deaths within Georgia's prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the AJC. Value: 332.0 deaths (vs. 27 percent increase from prior year) Tags: death,trend Sources: Georgia prison homicides soar as lawmakers focus on fixes - [reported] Ware State Prison staff count under Warden Odum As Warden, Roy Odum was responsible for overseeing approximately 365 staff members at Ware State Prison. Value: 365.0 staff members Date: 2021-06-16 Tags: staffing,facilities Sources: New Warden at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections, new warden ware state prison [1] - [confirmed] Ware State Prison FY2010 maintenance expenditures Ware State Prison had FY2010 maintenance expenditures of $953,083.38, per the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' 'Maintenance of State Prisons' special examination. Value: 953083.38 USD Tags: budget,facilities Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [reported] Ware State Prison total homicides count The AJC homicide list table header states 'Ware State Prison: 10 homicides'. Value: 10.0 homicides Tags: violence,death,facilities Sources: Ga prison homicides: A list of those killed in Georgia's prison system - [reported] Ware State Prison inmate count under Warden Odum As Warden, Roy Odum was responsible for overseeing approximately 1,530 close-security male inmates at Ware State Prison. Value: 1530.0 inmates Date: 2021-06-16 Tags: facilities,demographics Sources: New Warden at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections, new warden ware state prison [1] - [confirmed] Ware State Prison FY2011 maintenance expenditures Ware State Prison had FY2011 maintenance expenditures of $780,348.61, per the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' 'Maintenance of State Prisons' special examination. Value: 780348.61 USD Tags: budget,facilities Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [reported] GDC 2019 report: 78% of hires were officers, 71% quit same year An annual GDC report for 2019 showed 78 percent of the people GDC hired that year were corrections officers, but 71 percent of those officers quit the same year, according to WSAV-TV. Value: 71.0 percent (vs. 78 percent of hires who were officers) Date: 2019-01-01 Tags: staffing,operations Sources: Former Ware State Prison corrections officer describes staff shortages after riot | WSAV-TV, former ware state prison corrections officer explains staff shortages after riot [2] - [confirmed] Ware State Prison 2-year in-house maintenance total Ware State Prison's 2-year in-house maintenance total was $1,481,153.33, representing 85.4% of total maintenance expenditures, per the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' special examination. Value: 1481153.33 USD Tags: budget,facilities Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [reported] Ware State Prison staff count under Warden Gramiak As Warden, Tom Gramiak was responsible for overseeing 397 staff members at Ware State Prison. Value: 397.0 staff members Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: staffing,facilities Sources: New Warden Named for Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] Ware State Prison 2-year contractor maintenance total Ware State Prison's 2-year contractor maintenance total was $252,278.66, representing 14.6% of total maintenance expenditures, per the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' special examination. Value: 252278.66 USD Tags: budget,facilities Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [reported] Officers per shift at Ware fell below 10 from usual 33 Former Ware State Prison corrections officer John Eason told WSAV-TV that officers usually worked at least 33 per shift at the prison, but that the number had lately been below 10, after he left the job for safety reasons two weeks earlier. Value: 10.0 officers per shift (vs. 33 usual officers per shift) Tags: staffing,operations Sources: Former Ware State Prison corrections officer describes staff shortages after riot | WSAV-TV, former ware state prison corrections officer explains staff shortages after riot [2] - [reported] Ware State Prison inmate count under Warden Gramiak As Warden, Tom Gramiak was responsible for overseeing 1,546 close security inmates at Ware State Prison. Value: 1546.0 inmates Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: facilities,demographics Sources: New Warden Named for Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] Ware State Prison gross square footage Ware State Prison has a gross square footage of 365,430, per the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' 'Maintenance of State Prisons' report. Value: 365430.0 square feet Date: 2012-01-01 Tags: facilities Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [reported] COVID-19 cases at Ware State Prison: 22 inmates and 32 staff positive Department of Corrections data reported by News4Jax showed 22 inmates and 32 staff members at Ware State Prison had tested positive for the coronavirus. Value: 22.0 inmates (vs. 32 staff members) Tags: medical,facilities,conditions Sources: news4jax.com: Ware State Prison - [confirmed] Ware State Prison physical capacity Ware State Prison has a physical capacity of 1,618, per the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' 'Maintenance of State Prisons' report. Value: 1618.0 inmates Date: 2012-01-01 Tags: facilities,demographics Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [reported] Ware State Prison staff count under Warden Johnson As Warden, Glen Johnson was responsible for overseeing 401 staff members at Ware State Prison. Value: 401.0 staff members Date: 2013-07-01 Tags: staffing,facilities Sources: New Warden Named at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections, new warden named ware state prison [1] - [reported] Ware Correctional Institution opened 1951 with population 143 A Georgia Department of Corrections annual report lists the Ware Correctional Institution in Ware County, Waycross, Georgia, with a Date Opened of 1951 and Population of 143. Value: 143.0 people Date: 1974-01-01 Tags: facilities,demographics Sources: Annual report 1974 - [reported] Ware State Prison inmate count under Warden Johnson As Warden, Glen Johnson was responsible for overseeing 1,546 inmates at Ware State Prison. Value: 1546.0 inmates Date: 2013-07-01 Tags: facilities,demographics Sources: New Warden Named at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections, new warden named ware state prison [1] - [confirmed] Ware State Prison age Ware State Prison was 22 years old at the time of the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' 'Maintenance of State Prisons' report. Value: 22.0 years Date: 2012-01-01 Tags: facilities Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [reported] Ware State Prison FY18 bed counts A Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts special examination's inventory of state prisons lists Ware State Prison as Male, Close risk level, with an FY18 average standard bed count of 1,269, average special use bed count of 211, and average physical bed count of 1,480. Value: 1269.0 beds (vs. 1480 average physical bed count) Tags: facilities,operations Sources: DOAA Bed Demand & Agency Strategy Report (2018-12) - [confirmed] Ware State Prison constructed in 1989 GDC's facility page states Ware State Prison was constructed in 1989. Value: 1989.0 year Date: 1989-01-01 Tags: facilities Sources: Facility descriptions / Georgia Department of Corrections; Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] Ware State Prison cost per inmate Ware State Prison had a cost per inmate of $535.67, per the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' 'Maintenance of State Prisons' report. Value: 535.67 USD per inmate Date: 2012-01-01 Tags: budget,facilities Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [confirmed] Ware State Prison capacity is 1546 GDC's facility page states Ware State Prison's capacity is 1546. Value: 1546.0 inmates Tags: facilities Sources: Facility descriptions / Georgia Department of Corrections; Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] Ware State Prison cost per square foot Ware State Prison had a cost per square foot of $2.37, per the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' 'Maintenance of State Prisons' report. Value: 2.37 USD per square foot Date: 2012-01-01 Tags: budget,facilities Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [confirmed] Ware State Prison opened in 1990 GDC's facility page states Ware State Prison opened in 1990. Value: 1990.0 year Date: 1990-01-01 Tags: facilities Sources: Facility descriptions / Georgia Department of Corrections; Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] Ware State Prison square feet per inmate Ware State Prison had 226 square feet per inmate, per the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' 'Maintenance of State Prisons' report. Value: 226.0 square feet per inmate Date: 2012-01-01 Tags: facilities,conditions Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [confirmed] Ware State Prison number of inmates Ware State Prison had 180 inmates at the time of the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' 'Maintenance of State Prisons' report. Value: 180.0 inmates Date: 2012-01-01 Tags: demographics,facilities Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [confirmed] Ware State Prison number of staff Ware State Prison had 9 staff members at the time of the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' 'Maintenance of State Prisons' report. Value: 9.0 staff Date: 2012-01-01 Tags: staffing,facilities Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [reported] COVID-19 cases at Ware State Prison as of August 2, 2020 Department of Corrections data as reported in the August 2, 2020 News4Jax article showed 22 inmates and 32 staff members at Ware State Prison had tested positive for the coronavirus, with five inmates and 12 staff members recovered. Value: 22.0 inmates testing positive (vs. 32 staff members testing positive) Date: 2020-08-02 Tags: medical,facilities,staffing Sources: 3 inmates, 2 staff injured in disturbance at Ware State Prison - [confirmed] Ware State Prison square feet per staff Ware State Prison had 40,603 square feet per staff member, per the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' 'Maintenance of State Prisons' report. Value: 40603.0 square feet per staff Date: 2012-01-01 Tags: staffing,facilities Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [reported] Ware State Prison correctional officer vacancy rate 68.62% The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Ware State Prison's correctional officer vacancy rate at 68.62 percent, with the prison classified as high security and holding 1,441 inmates. Value: 68.62 percent Tags: staffing,facilities Sources: Violence, suicides mount in Georgia’s woefully understaffed prisons - [reported] Riot at Ware State Prison resulted in hospital transports including four officers DOJ's findings report says the riot at Ware State prison resulted in several hospital transports, including four officers, one via helicopter lifeflight. Value: 4.0 officers Date: 2020-01-01 Tags: violence,staffing,investigations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Ware State Prison inmate population 1,441 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Ware State Prison held 1,441 inmates and was classified as high security. Value: 1441.0 inmates Tags: facilities,demographics Sources: Violence, suicides mount in Georgia’s woefully understaffed prisons - [reported] Weapons and injuries from Bloods-vs-Hispanic melee at Ware State Prison From the Bloods-vs.-Hispanic gang melee at Ware State Prison described in the DOJ report, 11 knives were later found, and seven men were injured with stabbing wounds, four of them requiring hospitalization. Value: 11.0 knives (vs. 7 men injured with stabbing wounds) Date: 2022-02-01 Tags: gangs,violence,contraband Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Eight GDC prisons had 70%+ officer vacancy as of August The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that as of August, 70 percent or more of the correctional officer jobs were vacant at eight of the prisons GDC operates. Value: 70.0 percent Tags: staffing,facilities Sources: Violence, suicides mount in Georgia’s woefully understaffed prisons - [confirmed] Ware State Prison population 1,432 at PREA audit A PREA audit of Ware State Prison reports the total number of inmates/residents/detainees in the facility as of the first day of the onsite portion of the audit as 1432. Value: 1432.0 inmates Date: 2023-09-19 Tags: facilities,demographics Sources: PREA Facility Audit Report: Final, prea inmate services audit cycle 4 - [reported] Designated capacity and population of Ware State Prison (2018 PREA audit) A GDC PREA audit of Ware State Prison records a designated facility capacity of 1530 and a current population of 1488. Value: 1488.0 people (vs. 1530 designated facility capacity) Date: 2018-01-01 Tags: facilities,demographics Sources: GDC, PREA Ware - Audit (Cycle 2) - [reported] Inmates admitted to Ware State Prison in prior 12 months (2018 PREA audit) A GDC PREA audit of Ware State Prison records 1154 inmates admitted to the facility during the past 12 months. Value: 1154.0 people Tags: facilities,demographics,transfers Sources: GDC, PREA Ware - Audit (Cycle 2) - [reported] Ware State Prison attributed 10 homicides by AJC The AJC's list of Georgia prison homicides attributes 10 homicides to Ware State Prison. Value: 10.0 homicides Tags: death,violence Sources: Ga prison homicides: A list of those killed in Georgia's prison system - [reported] DonTavis Mintz age at death DonTavis Mintz was 24 when he died in state custody at Ware State Prison, per GPB reporting. Value: 24.0 years old Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: death Sources: A mother's son died in Georgia prison. The Department of Justice wonders if understaffing is why | Georgia Public Broadcasting - [reported] Georgia prisons saw 38 homicides in 2023 The AJC reported that Georgia prisons saw an unprecedented 38 homicides in 2023, topping the previous record of 31 the year before. Value: 38.0 homicides (vs. 31 previous record in 2022) Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: death,violence Sources: Ga prison homicides: A list of those killed in Georgia's prison system - [reported] Drone bust seized MDMA, marijuana, tobacco During the traffic stop believed headed to Ware State Prison, deputies discovered a large drone along with approximately six ounces of suspected MDMA, five pounds of suspected marijuana and 15 pounds of cigarette tobacco. Value: 6.0 ounces of suspected MDMA (vs. 5 pounds of suspected marijuana) Date: 2026-07-21 Tags: contraband,drugs Sources: Butts County drone contraband bust: Deputies intercept prison delivery on I-75 | FOX 5 Atlanta - [reported] PREA standards exceeded at Ware State Prison (Cycle 3) A GDC PREA audit of Ware State Prison found the number of standards exceeded to be 3. Value: 3.0 standards Tags: investigations,policy Sources: GDC, PREA Ware - Audit (Cycle 3) - [reported] Ware State Prison 68% job vacancy rate According to records collected by the Southern Center for Human Rights, Ware State Prison had a 68 percent job vacancy rate in January. Value: 68.0 percent Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: staffing,facilities Sources: 'This is crazy. Somebody dead.' Inmate body underscores staffing woes in Georgia prison system | FOX 5 Atlanta - [reported] PREA standards not met at Ware State Prison (Cycle 3) A GDC PREA audit of Ware State Prison found the number of standards not met to be 0. Value: 0.0 standards Tags: investigations,policy Sources: GDC, PREA Ware - Audit (Cycle 3) - [reported] PREA standards met at Ware State Prison (Cycle 3) A GDC PREA audit of Ware State Prison found the number of standards met to be 42. Value: 42.0 standards Tags: investigations,policy Sources: GDC, PREA Ware - Audit (Cycle 3) - [confirmed] Ware State Prison physical capacity 1546 A GDC facility descriptions document lists Ware State Prison's physical capacity as 1546. Value: 1546.0 inmates Tags: facilities Sources: Facility descriptions / Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Ware State Prison operational capacity 1384 A GDC facility descriptions document lists Ware State Prison's operational capacity as 1384. Value: 1384.0 inmates Tags: facilities Sources: Facility descriptions / Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Two staff injured in Ware disturbance Two staff members received minor non-life-threatening injuries during the August 1, 2020 disturbance at Ware State Prison. Value: 2.0 staff members Date: 2020-08-01 Tags: violence,staffing Sources: Disturbance at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Three inmates injured in Ware disturbance Three inmates received non-life-threatening injuries during the August 1, 2020 disturbance at Ware State Prison. Value: 3.0 inmates Date: 2020-08-01 Tags: violence Sources: Disturbance at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] Five hospitalized from Ware State Prison after gang violence DOJ's findings report states that twenty incarcerated people were hospitalized following gang-related violence at multiple GDC prisons, including 5 from Ware State Prison on October 1, 2022. Value: 5.0 hospitalizations Date: 2022-10-01 Tags: gangs,violence Sources: courthousenews.com: 2024 01 10 14 13 24 Findings20Report20 20Investigation20of20Georgia20Prisons 5 LEGAL FACTS (28) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Scott v. Odum: Eighth Amendment failure-to-protect claims allowed against ten defendants In Scott v. Odum, the court recommended dismissal of claims against Defendants Odum, Wicker, Stubbs, and Baker, while directing service of the plaintiff's Eighth Amendment failure-to-protect claims against Defendants Bytnar, Carter, Griner, James, Parks, Sells, Smith, Steedley, Steele, and Turner. Date: 2023-11-21 Tags: legal,violence,conditions,investigations Sources: Scott v. Odum, 2023-11-21 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Junco v. Ware State Prison: motion to dismiss denied In Junco v. Ware State Prison, the magistrate judge issued an order denying the defendant's motion to dismiss (docket entry 35), allowing the case to proceed. Date: 2025-09-15 Tags: legal,conditions Sources: Junco v. Ware State Prison, 2025-09-15 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Boyd v. Ware State Prison: complaint dismissed without prejudice The magistrate judge recommended that Boyd's complaint be dismissed without prejudice for failure to follow the court's directives closing the case, and the district court adopted the recommendation; the plaintiff was also denied leave to appeal in forma pauperis. Date: 2023-02-23 Tags: legal Sources: Boyd v. Ware State Prison, 2023-02-23 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Weems v. Ware State Prison: complaint dismissed without prejudice The court adopted the report and recommendation dismissing Weems's complaint without prejudice, directed the clerk to close the case and enter judgment of dismissal, and denied IFP status on appeal. Date: 2024-01-10 Tags: legal Sources: Weems v. Ware State Prison, 2024-01-10 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Davies v. Courson excessive force claim survived frivolity review In Davies v. Courson, the magistrate judge found that Dale Scott Davies's allegation that an officer forcefully pulled him from his cell, choked him, and punched him twice in the eye without provocation stated a plausible excessive force claim that survived frivolity review. Tags: legal,violence,conditions Sources: Davies v. Corsen Doc. 15 - [confirmed] Belval v. Ware State Prison: case dismissed for failure to follow directives The court adopted the report and recommendation and dismissed Belval's case for failure to follow the court's directives and local rules; the clerk was directed to close the case and the plaintiff was denied in forma pauperis status on appeal. Date: 2024-11-21 Tags: legal Sources: Belval v. Ware State Prison, 2024-11-21 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Davies v. Courson complaint contested conditions at Ware State Prison Dale Scott Davies's complaint in Davies v. Courson stated that he was contesting the conditions of his confinement while he was housed at Ware State Prison in Waycross, Georgia, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Tags: legal,conditions Sources: Davies v. Corsen Doc. 15 - [confirmed] Ivy v. Ware State Prison: recommended dismissal for failure to prosecute The magistrate judge recommended dismissal of Ivy's complaint without prejudice for failure to follow the court's orders and local rules and for failure to prosecute, with the clerk directed to close the case and the plaintiff denied leave to appeal in forma pauperis. Date: 2025-05-21 Tags: legal Sources: IVY v. WARE STATE PRISON, 2025-05-21 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Conspiracy charge in USA v. Hall and USA v. Harris carries 10 years to life The primary conspiracy charge against the defendants named in USA v. Hall and USA v. Harris, including Thomas Cothran at Ware State Prison, carries a statutory penalty of 10 years to life in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and at least five years of supervised release. Tags: legal,drugs,investigations Sources: Pair of indictments charge conspiracies to use drones to deliver illegal drugs, contraband cell phones to Georgia prisons, U.S. Department of Justice, Southern District of Georgia, August 21, 2024 - [confirmed] Dunn v. Hart partial dismissal of claims In Dunn v. Hart, the district court dismissed Cleveland Dunn's failure-to-protect claims against all defendants and all claims against defendant Edwards without prejudice for failure to exhaust administrative remedies, dismissed his deliberate indifference claims against defendants Owens, Sittnick, and Vaughn, and left his deliberate indifference claims against defendants Moore, Ferra, and Hart pending. Date: 2015-03-09 Tags: legal,medical,conditions Sources: Dunn v. Hart, 2015-03-09 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Stewart v. Johnson partial summary judgment ruling In Stewart v. Johnson, the court granted summary judgment for defendants Payne, Bagley, Burse, and Adams, but denied summary judgment as to defendants Lee, Saenz, Johnson, and Gramiak. Date: 2020-10-16 Tags: legal,conditions Sources: Stewart v. Johnson, 2020-10-16 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Dunn v. Hart claims against GDC and others dismissed Cleveland D. Dunn's complaint in Dunn v. Hart was filed against multiple Georgia Department of Corrections defendants and included claims that were later construed as deliberate indifference and failure to protect claims, with claims against Adams, Georgia Correctional Healthcare, Bradford, Nichols, the Georgia Department of Corrections, and John Doe dismissed by the court. Date: 2015-03-09 Tags: legal,medical,conditions Sources: Dunn v. Hart, 2015-03-09 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Stewart v. Johnson set for jury trial in Waycross The court set Stewart v. Johnson for a jury trial on February 23, 2021 in the federal courthouse in Waycross, Georgia, with a pretrial conference on November 30, 2020. Tags: legal Sources: Stewart v. Johnson, 2020-10-16 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Chase Pinckney and Richard Smith listed as defendants in United States v. Brandt The federal docket United States v. Brandt in the Northern District of Georgia lists Chase Pinckney as defendant (3) and Richard Smith as defendant (10) on the indictment. Date: 2024-07-11 Tags: legal,gangs,drugs Sources: United States v. Brandt, 2024-07-11 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] SCHR lawsuit challenges solitary confinement at Georgia State Prison A Southern Center for Human Rights press release states that SCHR and Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, LLP filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of people held in solitary confinement at Georgia State Prison (GSP), naming the Warden of GSP and the GDC Commissioner as defendants. Tags: solitary,conditions,legal Sources: Lawsuit Challenges Inhuman Conditions of Confinement at Georgia State Prison – Southern Center for Human Rights - [confirmed] Eleventh Circuit reversed dismissal of Whatley suit for failure to exhaust The Eleventh Circuit reversed the district court's dismissal of Whatley's suit for failure to exhaust administrative remedies, finding the district court failed to follow the two-step process for exhaustion challenges and enforced a procedural bar the prison may have waived. Date: 2015-09-23 Tags: legal,conditions Sources: Shawn Wayne Whatley v. Warden, Ware State Prison, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2015-09-23 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Whatley sued Ware State Prison warden and staff under 42 U.S.C. 1983 Shawn Wayne Whatley sued the Warden of Ware State Prison and Ware State Prison staff Rodney Smith, an exam nurse, and Michael Griffin under 42 U.S.C. 1983, alleging a beating by prison staff for which he was denied medical treatment. Date: 2015-09-23 Tags: legal,violence,medical,staffing Sources: Shawn Wayne Whatley v. Warden, Ware State Prison, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2015-09-23 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Defendants in Whatley included Warden, exam nurse, and Tactical Squad Commander Defendants in Whatley v. Warden, Ware State Prison included the Warden of Ware State Prison, an exam nurse at Ware State Prison, and Michael Griffin, identified as Supervisor of the Lock Down Unit and Tactical Squad Commander at Ware State Prison, along with a Telfair State Prison corrections officer. Date: 2015-09-23 Tags: legal,staffing,violence Sources: Shawn Wayne Whatley v. Warden, Ware State Prison, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2015-09-23 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Whatley v. Hart partial summary judgment on remand On remand, the district court granted in part Defendants' partial motion for summary judgment and dismissed Whatley's claims against Defendants Hart and Griffin, while denying in part summary judgment on Whatley's excessive force claim for compensatory and punitive damages against Defendant Smith. Date: 2020-04-16 Tags: legal,violence Sources: Whatley v. Hart, 2020-04-16 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Court order on motions to exclude in United States v. HARRIS The court granted in part a motion to exclude and denied another motion to exclude as to defendants Kelvin Rogers (2), Robert Harris (1) and Thomas Cothran (4), signed by Magistrate Judge Brian K. Epps on 10/16/2025. Date: 2025-10-16 Tags: legal,drugs Sources: United States v. HARRIS, 2025-10-16 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Keldric Cordell Jackson filed amended complaint naming four defendants Keldric Cordell Jackson filed an amended complaint naming Lutria Jones, Roy Odum, Tyrone Oliver, and Eric Cox as defendants. Date: 2025-06-16 Tags: legal Sources: Jackson v. Odum, 2025-06-16 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Robinson complaint recommended for dismissal for failure to state a claim In Robinson v. Medical Staff at Ware State Prison, the magistrate judge recommended dismissing Bernard Robinson's complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Date: 2013-06-14 Tags: legal,medical Sources: Robinson v. Medical Staff at Ware State Prison, 2013-06-14 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Brown v. Gramiak summary judgment for defendants In Brown v. Gramiak, the court granted summary judgment for the defendants and dismissed Eric Brown's complaint with prejudice. Date: 2020-01-10 Tags: legal Sources: Brown v. Gramiak, 2020-01-10 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] McClain v. Odum: claims against Spann dismissed, others pending In McClain v. Odum, the court dismissed the plaintiff's claims against defendant James Spann as unopposed, while the plaintiff's cause of action against the remaining defendants (including Roy Odum) remained pending. Date: 2025-12-15 Tags: legal Sources: McClain v. Odum, 2025-12-15 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Gillis v. Odum: complaint dismissed on motion In Gillis v. Odum, the court granted the motion to dismiss filed by defendants Jones, Odum, and Cox, and dismissed the plaintiff's complaint. Date: 2026-07-23 Tags: legal Sources: Gillis v. Odum, 2026-07-23 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Worthen v. York: excessive force claims against three defendants proceed In Worthen v. York, the magistrate judge dismissed the plaintiff's claims against defendant Odum, Officer Fairchilds, and Officer Anderson, while finding that the plaintiff's Eighth Amendment excessive force claims against defendants York, Hocomb, and Toddman could proceed. Date: 2024-01-10 Tags: legal,violence Sources: WORTHEN v. YORK, 2024-01-10 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Worthen v. York: case dismissed and closed In Worthen v. York, the court ultimately granted the defendants' motion to dismiss, dismissing the plaintiff's individual capacity claims without prejudice and dismissing his official capacity claims, and closed the case. Date: 2024-01-10 Tags: legal Sources: WORTHEN v. YORK, 2024-01-10 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] SCHR litigation alleged deaths when no officers present Southern Center for Human Rights litigation cited by the Justice Department alleged that many men in Georgia Department of Corrections custody died of unknown causes when no or few officers were present in the dormitory. Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: death,staffing,legal Sources: 'This is crazy. Somebody dead.' Inmate body underscores staffing woes in Georgia prison system | FOX 5 Atlanta CASE DETAILS (77) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Roy Odum promoted to Warden at Ware State Prison GDC Commissioner Timothy C. Ward announced the promotion of Roy Odum to Warden at Ware State Prison effective June 16, 2021, with Odum responsible for overseeing approximately 365 staff members and 1,530 close-security male inmates. Date: 2021-06-16 Tags: staffing,facilities,operations Sources: New Warden at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections, new warden ware state prison [1] - [confirmed] Ware State Prison disturbance timing, August 1, 2020 GDC reported that a disturbance caused by inmates at Ware State Prison in Waycross, Georgia occurred at approximately 10:45 p.m. on August 1, 2020, and that the cause was unknown at the time. Date: 2020-08-01 Tags: violence,facilities,operations Sources: Disturbance at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Samuel Keith Ellis homicide at Ware State Prison Samuel Keith Ellis, 31, died at Ware State Prison on Aug. 1, 2024, of multiple sharp force injuries; incident report data shows a homicide with three inmates involved. Date: 2024-08-01 Tags: violence,death,facilities Sources: Ga prison homicides: A list of those killed in Georgia's prison system - [reported] Robert Lee Wilson III killed at Ware State Prison Robert Lee Wilson III, 31, died at Ware State Prison on July 17, 2020 of multiple stab wounds. An incident report showed 16 other inmates involved, seven of whom were injured. Date: 2020-07-17 Tags: violence,death,facilities Sources: Ga prison homicides: A list of those killed in Georgia's prison system - [confirmed] Injuries and property damage in August 2020 Ware disturbance During the August 1, 2020 disturbance at Ware State Prison, two staff members and three inmates received non-life-threatening injuries; a golf cart was set on fire and several windows were broken, with no major damage to the facility reported. Officers deployed non-lethal ammunition. Date: 2020-08-01 Tags: violence,staffing,facilities Sources: Disturbance at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Christopher Michael Drake Taylor died at Ware State Prison on May 28, 2024 Christopher Michael Drake Taylor, 33, died at Ware State Prison on May 28, 2024, of a stab wound to the torso, according to the AJC's list of people killed in Georgia's prison system. Date: 2024-05-28 Tags: death,violence,facilities Sources: Ga prison homicides: A list of those killed in Georgia's prison system - [reported] Contraband arrest of maintenance worker Joshua Butler at Ware State Prison On November 18 at Ware State Prison, Maintenance Worker Joshua Butler was observed acting suspiciously while attempting to enter the facility; tobacco was found concealed on his person and additional tobacco was located after his maintenance cart was searched; Ware County Sheriff's Office arrested Joshua Butler. Tags: contraband,corruption,staffing,facilities Sources: Contraband Arrests at Multiple State Prisons | Georgia Department of Corrections, contraband arrests multiple state prisons 0 - [confirmed] 2020 major riot at Ware State Prison described in DOJ findings DOJ's findings report states that in 2020 there was a major riot at Ware State Prison in which incarcerated persons obtained facility keys, let other incarcerated persons out of their housing units, held officers hostage and stabbed officers, set fires inside a housing unit office and burned a GDC transport cart, and broke into an office and obtained officers' weapons and defensive gear, resulting in several hospital transports including four officers, one via helicopter life-flight. Date: 2020-01-01 Tags: violence,staffing,operations,investigations Sources: courthousenews.com: 2024 01 10 14 13 24 Findings20Report20 20Investigation20of20Georgia20Prisons 5 - [reported] Kojack Thomas Jr. died May 31, 2026; GDC investigated as homicide Ware County inmate Kojack Thomas Jr. was pronounced dead Sunday, May 31, 2026, with his death investigated as a homicide by GDC, according to a Waycross Journal-Herald article dated 06/09/2026. Date: 2026-05-31 Tags: death,violence,investigations,facilities Sources: GDC probes four May deaths at Ware State Prison - [reported] Tom Gramiak appointed Warden of Ware State Prison The Department of Corrections announced the appointment of Tom Gramiak as Warden of Ware State Prison effective January 1, 2014, with Gramiak responsible for overseeing 397 staff members and 1,546 close security inmates. Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: staffing,facilities,operations Sources: New Warden Named for Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Prior gang-related altercations at multiple prisons led to lockdown WGXA previously reported that all GDC facilities were on lockdown following a string of "gang-related" altercations at Dooly, Smith, Wilcox, Hays and Valdosta state prisons the prior month. Tags: violence,gangs,operations Sources: GDC: 9 hurt after 'gang-related' fight at Dooly State Prison, prompting statewide lockdown Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility - [reported] Contraband arrest of civilians near Ware State Prison On September 25, a Lieutenant observed two civilians, Melissa Getzendaner and Justin Green, walking in the pecan orchard near Ware State Prison; the Lieutenant and two CERT Officers found them hiding with 20 cell phones and 6 bundles of tobacco weighing 569 grams, wrapped in black duct tape. Tags: contraband,facilities,operations Sources: Contraband Arrests at Ware and Calhoun State Prisons | The Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] GDC confirms officer injuries in Ware State Prison riot GDC confirmed that in the riot at Ware State Prison, one officer was released from the hospital and one was still recovering with non-life-threatening injuries, and said in a statement it is diligent in working to ensure staffing levels are consistent and appropriate for maintaining its commitment to public safety. Tags: violence,staffing,facilities Sources: Former Ware State Prison corrections officer describes staff shortages after riot | WSAV-TV, former ware state prison corrections officer explains staff shortages after riot [2] - [reported] Ware State Prison visitation canceled during Memorial Day weekend lockdown In a Facebook post, GDC said that Dooly State Prison, Washington State Prison, Ware State Prison and Hancock State Prison would not hold visitation during the Memorial Day weekend, while other prisons would hold regular visitation hours subject to change, after all GDC facilities were placed on lockdown following an altercation at Dooly State Prison. Tags: violence,operations,facilities Sources: Georgia Corrections facilities on lockdown after prison altercation sends 9 inmates to hospital, officials say - CBS Atlanta - [reported] GDC investigated four May 2026 deaths at Ware State Prison GDC confirmed it was investigating four deaths that occurred during May at Ware State Prison; the investigation was handled by GDC's Office of Professional Standards as standard procedure, per a Waycross Journal-Herald article dated 06/09/2026. Date: 2026-05-01 Tags: death,investigations,facilities Sources: GDC probes four May deaths at Ware State Prison - [reported] Thomas Cothran charged in Operation Night Drop drone conspiracy Thomas Cothran, a/k/a 'Shoota,' a/k/a 'Tee,' 37, currently incarcerated at Ware State Prison in Waycross, Ga., was named as one of the defendants charged with conspiracy in USA v. Harris, et al., part of 'Operation Night Drop,' announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia. Tags: drugs,contraband,corruption,investigations,legal Sources: Pair of indictments charge conspiracies to use drones to deliver illegal drugs, contraband cell phones to Georgia prisons, U.S. Department of Justice, Southern District of Georgia, August 21, 2024; &noscript=1" /> (dea.gov) - [reported] Glen Johnson reassigned as Warden of Ware State Prison GDC Commissioner Brian Owens announced the reassignment of Glen Johnson as Warden of Ware State Prison effective July 1, 2013, with Johnson responsible for overseeing 401 staff members and 1,546 inmates. Date: 2013-07-01 Tags: staffing,facilities,operations Sources: New Warden Named at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections, new warden named ware state prison [1] - [reported] Prisoner cited food, water, electricity lack before August 2020 disturbance Prison Legal News reported that a prisoner reporting from inside Ware State Prison on an illegal cellphone cited health issues, three meals a day consisting only of cheese and peanut butter sandwiches, and a lack of electricity as reasons for violence following a disturbance reported in early August 2020. Date: 2020-08-01 Tags: conditions,violence,facilities Sources: Georgia Prisoners Lacked Food, Water, Leading to Melee, Prison Legal News - [reported] Gang authorized beating of inmate at Ware State Prison The indictment alleges that on or about November 5, 2020, defendant Chase Pinckney authorized the beating of an inmate at Ware State Prison in Waycross, Georgia, on suspicion that the inmate had violated one of the gang's rules. Date: 2020-11-05 Tags: gangs,violence,investigations Sources: (dea.gov) - [reported] Three incarcerated people shot by Ware County police during 2020 revolt The Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee reported that three people incarcerated at Ware State Prison were shot by Ware County police during the August 1, 2020 disturbance, one in the thigh and another in the arm; incarcerated people helped the wounded by wrapping and elevating wounds and bringing ice. Date: 2020-08-01 Tags: violence,death,medical,conditions Sources: Ware State Prison Slave Rebellion on August 1st 2020 | Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee - [reported] Lock-packing with window goop led to rape at Ware State Prison The DOJ findings report states it received a report that incarcerated individuals at Ware State Prison had used window "goop" to pack a lock and then pop it with a spoon, and that this led to a rape. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: violence,conditions,investigations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [confirmed] United States v. Brandt: James hearing ruling deferred as of July 2024 As of the last docket activity recorded in United States v. Brandt, the case had not been terminated, with the latest visible order dated July 11, 2024 deferring a ruling on a motion for a James hearing as to defendant Shavon Thomas. Date: 2024-07-11 Tags: legal,investigations,corruption Sources: United States v. Brandt, 2024-07-11 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] 2020 major riot at Ware State Prison The DOJ's findings report states that in 2020, there was a major riot at Ware State Prison in which incarcerated persons obtained facility keys and let scores of other incarcerated persons out of their housing units. Date: 2020-01-01 Tags: violence,operations,investigations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Ware officers recognized for lifesaving action Board of Corrections minutes record that Assistant Commissioner Holt stated that Ware State Prison officers Latrima McNeal, Toni Hammock, and Gerald Brummett were being recognized for assisting a small child who was struggling to breathe and began choking while at the facility during visitation at Ware State Prison, by conducting the infant Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the obstruction. Date: 2020-01-01 Tags: staffing,facilities Sources: Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes january 2020 - [reported] Thomas McCoy died at Ware State Prison after altercation GDC officials confirmed that inmate Thomas McCoy died on October 7 at Ware State Prison following an altercation with another inmate, and McCoy was convicted of murder in Fulton County and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Tags: death,violence Sources: Inmate convicted of murder in Fulton County dies in Ware State prison, officials confirm – WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta - [reported] Thomas Cothran named in DEA press release on drone delivery conspiracies A DEA press release states that Thomas Cothran, a/k/a 'Shoota,' a/k/a 'Tee,' 37, was currently incarcerated at Ware State Prison in Waycross, Ga., and was named as a defendant in a federal indictment. Tags: drugs,contraband,investigations,legal Sources: &noscript=1" /> (dea.gov) - [reported] Inmate Marquis Walker died after fight at Ware State Prison An AP report dated June 28, 2018 said Ware State Prison inmate Marquis Walker was pronounced dead just before 11 a.m. Thursday, with investigators believing he died from injuries suffered in a fight with another inmate, his death investigated as a homicide. Date: 2018-06-28 Tags: death,violence,facilities Sources: Prison officials say inmate died after fight between inmates, Prison officials say inmate died after fight between inmates 486857951 - [reported] Marquis Walker died after fight at Ware State Prison The Associated Press reported that the Georgia Department of Corrections said in a news release that Ware State Prison inmate Marquis Walker was pronounced dead just before 11 a.m. on a Thursday, with investigators believing Walker died from injuries suffered in a fight with another inmate, and his death being investigated as a homicide. Tags: death,violence Sources: Prison officials say inmate died after fight between inmates, prison officials say inmate died after fight between inmates - [reported] Shawn Mosley stabbed victim multiple times at Ware State Prison; case pending A criminal case over a stabbing committed by Shawn Mosley at Ware State Prison, in which Mosley stabbed the victim with a knife multiple times, was still pending at the time of Mosley's trial for a separate murder. Investigator Hope Salinas recounted that the victim reported Mosley stabbed him multiple times and that Mosley had been acting strangely, saying he was an evil spirit and had killed his daughter; Mosley flushed the knife down the toilet. Date: 2026-06-16 Tags: violence,legal,mental_health,facilities Sources: Mosley v. State, 2026-06-16 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Inmate killed two weeks before August 2020 Ware disturbance News4Jax reported on August 2, 2020 that a Ware State inmate was killed two weeks before the disturbance in what authorities said was an altercation with another inmate; the Waycross-Journal Herald was told tensions were high in the prison due to COVID-19. Date: 2020-08-02 Tags: death,violence,medical Sources: 3 inmates, 2 staff injured in disturbance at Ware State Prison - [reported] Incarcerated person at Ware went almost a year without a mattress DOJ's findings report says an incarcerated person at Ware State Prison reported that he had gone almost a year without a mattress. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: conditions,investigations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Marquis Walker sentencing details The Associated Press reported that Marquis Walker was sentenced in 2016 on burglary and forgery charges in Richmond County, with a maximum release date of 2030. Date: 2016-01-01 Tags: legal,reentry Sources: Prison officials say inmate died after fight between inmates, prison officials say inmate died after fight between inmates - [confirmed] Whatley beaten at Telfair, transferred to Ware, told to take Tylenol In Whatley v. Warden, Ware State Prison, the Eleventh Circuit recounted that after plaintiff Shawn Wayne Whatley was beaten by guards at Telfair State Prison on January 12, 2011, he was transferred within hours to Ware State Prison, where a nurse told him to take Tylenol despite his excruciating pain and difficulty breathing. Date: 2011-01-12 Tags: violence,medical,transfers,legal Sources: Shawn Wayne Whatley v. Warden, Ware State Prison, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2015-09-23 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Riot at Ware State Prison involved hostage-taking, stabbings, fires, and weapons theft DOJ's findings report says that during the riot at Ware State prison, incarcerated persons obtained facility keys and let scores of other incarcerated persons out of their housing units, including in restrictive housing units, held officers hostage and stabbed officers, set fires inside a housing unit office and burned a GDC transport cart, and broke into an office and obtained officers' weapons and defensive gear. Date: 2020-01-01 Tags: violence,operations,investigations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Woodshop building named after instructor Board of Corrections minutes record the Board honoring Joe Kenny Boyett, Woodshop Instructor of Ware State Prison, by dedicating and naming the woodshop building on the grounds of Ware State Prison as the "Joe Kenny Boyett Wood Shop." Date: 2016-02-01 Tags: facilities,programs Sources: Board Meeting Minutes February 2016 - [reported] Christopher Arnett Rawls died at Ware State Prison Christopher Arnett Rawls, 32, died at Ware State Prison on Sept. 5, 2020 of strangulation. Date: 2020-09-05 Tags: death,violence Sources: Ga prison homicides: A list of those killed in Georgia's prison system - [reported] Officer recognized for going extra mile Board of Corrections minutes record Assistant Commissioner Myrick recognizing Warren Haynes, Correctional Officer at Ware State Prison, stating that he goes the extra mile in his every day duties. Date: 2017-12-01 Tags: staffing Sources: Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes december 2017 - [reported] Christopher Eli Gresham died at Ware State Prison Christopher Eli Gresham, 39, died at Ware State Prison on Sept. 30, 2021 of stab wounds to back and lower extremities; a Sept. 30, 2021 incident report of a homicide says three other inmates were involved. Date: 2021-09-30 Tags: death,violence Sources: Ga prison homicides: A list of those killed in Georgia's prison system - [reported] Victim reported assault to staff but they did nothing (Ware State Prison) The DOJ report states that on June 27, 2022, the second day of DOJ's site visit to Ware State Prison, an incarcerated person there was blindfolded, tied up, beaten, and burned by other incarcerated people, went to the medical unit where he was diagnosed with first- and second-degree burns, and reported to DOJ that he had reported the assault to staff but they did nothing. Date: 2022-06-27 Tags: violence,staffing,investigations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Kyle Anthony Strother died at Ware State Prison Kyle Anthony Strother, 31, died at Ware State Prison on June 5, 2022 of a stab wound to the chest. Date: 2022-06-05 Tags: death,violence Sources: Ga prison homicides: A list of those killed in Georgia's prison system - [reported] Incarcerated person died of methamphetamine overdose days after DOJ interview at Ware An incarcerated person at Ware State Prison who had been interviewed by DOJ died from a drug overdose four days after that interview, and incarcerated persons at Ware found him slumped over a second-floor cell block railing on July 3, 2022, where he was left for several hours because there were no officers in the control center, and his cause of death was acute methamphetamine toxicity, per the DOJ report. Date: 2022-07-03 Tags: drugs,overdose,death,staffing Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Va'Darian LaVianta Carr died at Ware State Prison Va'Darian LaVianta Carr, 26, died at Ware State Prison on Sept. 18, 2022 of a stab wound to chest and back. Date: 2022-09-18 Tags: death,violence Sources: Ga prison homicides: A list of those killed in Georgia's prison system - [reported] Stabbing at Ware State Prison with delayed staff response (May 2022) The DOJ report states that an incarcerated person was stabbed multiple times on May 23, 2022, at Ware State Prison, that there was no security staff in the dorm so other incarcerated people beat on the window to draw the attention of staff, that it took half an hour for someone to respond, and that the victim was diagnosed with a collapsed lung from a stab wound and spent five days in the hospital. Date: 2022-05-23 Tags: violence,staffing,medical Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Alfonso Marquez Moore died at Ware State Prison Alfonso Marquez Moore, 30, died at Ware State Prison on June 19, 2023 of blunt impact injuries to the head. Date: 2023-06-19 Tags: death,violence Sources: Ga prison homicides: A list of those killed in Georgia's prison system - [reported] Dontavis Mintz death timeline The last thing Dontavis Mintz's mother heard was that guards had looked in on him and he was OK, and then two weeks later she was told he was dead, in August 2021. Date: 2021-08-01 Tags: death,investigations Sources: A mother's son died in Georgia prison. The Department of Justice wonders if understaffing is why | Georgia Public Broadcasting - [reported] Thomas Jerome McCoy died at Ware State Prison Thomas Jerome McCoy, 38, died at Ware State Prison on Oct. 7, 2023 of a stab wound to the chest; three other prisoners were involved in the incident according to GDC data. Date: 2023-10-07 Tags: death,violence Sources: Ga prison homicides: A list of those killed in Georgia's prison system - [reported] Leonardo Lamonte Anderson died at Ware State Prison Leonardo Lamonte Anderson, 49, died at Ware State Prison on April 20, 2024 of multiple stab wounds in an assault by another inmate with a sharp object. Date: 2024-04-20 Tags: death,violence Sources: Ga prison homicides: A list of those killed in Georgia's prison system - [reported] AJC: malfunctioning doors allowed inmates out at Ware State Prison The AJC reported that on Aug. 1, 2020, at Ware State Prison, malfunctioning doors allowed some inmates to walk out of their rooms, and that the GDC often describes such serious incidents as isolated disturbances or fights when releasing little information about them. Date: 2020-08-01 Tags: violence,facilities,operations Sources: Georgia prison system clamps down on information that could expose critical problems, Atlanta Journal-Constitution - [reported] Drone contraband payload seized en route to Ware State Prison Deputies display a massive contraband payload seized during an Interstate 75 traffic stop intended for delivery to Ware State Prison inmates on July 21, 2026. Date: 2026-07-21 Tags: contraband,drugs,investigations Sources: Butts County drone contraband bust: Deputies intercept prison delivery on I-75 | FOX 5 Atlanta - [confirmed] James Deal promoted to Warden at Georgia State Prison On the same day GDC announced Jeff Coleman's promotion to Warden at Ware State Prison, GDC also announced that James Deal was promoted to Warden at Georgia State Prison, effective October 1, 2018. Date: 2018-10-01 Tags: operations,staffing Sources: New Warden at Georgia State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Dead inmate at Ware State Prison shown in cell phone video A dead Georgia prisoner at Ware State Prison was shown slumped over a second-floor cell block railing in a cell phone video that began with a shot of a watch showing 8:17 a.m. on July 3, 2021. Date: 2021-07-03 Tags: death,conditions,staffing Sources: 'This is crazy. Somebody dead.' Inmate body underscores staffing woes in Georgia prison system | FOX 5 Atlanta - [confirmed] Roy Odum reassigned from Ware State Prison to Valdosta State Prison GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver announced the reassignment of Roy Odum from Warden at Ware State Prison to Warden at Valdosta State Prison, effective October 16, 2024. Date: 2024-10-16 Tags: operations,staffing Sources: New Warden at Valdosta State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] John Ekers identified as dead inmate The dead inmate shown in the Ware State Prison cell phone video was identified as 54-year-old John Ekers, convicted in 1991 for murder in Cobb County; no foul play was suspected and a GDC spokesperson said staff arrived 18 minutes after the video was recorded. Date: 2021-07-03 Tags: death,staffing Sources: 'This is crazy. Somebody dead.' Inmate body underscores staffing woes in Georgia prison system | FOX 5 Atlanta - [confirmed] James Deal listed as Warden of Ware State Prison in April 2019 board minutes The Georgia Board of Corrections' minutes for a meeting in Glennville, Georgia list James Deal as Warden of Ware State Prison among those present. Date: 2019-04-01 Tags: operations,staffing Sources: Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes april 2019 - [reported] Ware State Prison lockdown after violence Ware State Prison in Waycross was locked down at around 1 a.m. Sunday after an incident that began around 10:45 Saturday night, during which officials said a golf cart was set on fire and several windows were broken. Tags: violence,facilities,operations Sources: South Georgia's Ware State Prison put on lockdown after violence | FOX 5 Atlanta - [confirmed] Drone contraband arrest at Ware State Prison On September 18 at Ware State Prison, the Ware County Sheriff's Department stopped a vehicle after the occupants were observed flying a drone near the facility; the GDC Canine Unit found packages of unknown contraband in the vehicle, and Probationer Jeffrey Vardin and civilian Stasha McIntyre were arrested and transported to the Ware County Jail. Tags: contraband,operations Sources: Contraband Arrest at Multiple State Facilities | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] Eric Cox promoted from Ware State Prison to Dodge State Prison Warden GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver announced the promotion of Eric Cox, Deputy Warden of Security at Ware State Prison, to Warden at Dodge State Prison, effective July 16, 2025. Date: 2025-07-16 Tags: staffing,operations Sources: New Warden at Dodge State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] Newsweek reported two guards and three inmates injured in Ware riot Newsweek reported that two prison guards and three inmates were injured after a riot broke out at Ware State Prison in Georgia. Tags: violence Sources: Riot at Ware State Prison in Georgia Leaves 2 Staff Members, 3 Inmates Injured Amid Reports of Violence on Livestreams - Newsweek - [confirmed] Newsweek reported Ware riot details Newsweek reported the Ware State Prison disturbance was caused by inmates at the prison, in Waycross, at around 10:45 p.m. on a Saturday night, and officers deployed non-lethal ammunition to contain the riot. Tags: violence,operations Sources: Riot at Ware State Prison in Georgia Leaves 2 Staff Members, 3 Inmates Injured Amid Reports of Violence on Livestreams - Newsweek - [reported] Disturbance at Ware State Prison injures staff and inmates GDC reported that a disturbance caused by inmates occurred at Ware State Prison in Waycross at approximately 10:45 p.m. on August 1, injuring two staff members and three inmates with non-life-threatening injuries, and that a golf cart was set on fire and several windows were broken. Date: 2020-08-01 Tags: violence,staffing,facilities Sources: Disturbance at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] Incarcerated person burned at Ware during DOJ site visit On June 27, 2022, the second day of DOJ's site visit to Ware State Prison, an incarcerated person there was blindfolded, tied up, beaten, and burned by other incarcerated people, was diagnosed with first- and second-degree burns, and reported the assault to staff, but they did nothing. Date: 2022-06-27 Tags: violence,conditions,investigations Sources: courthousenews.com: 2024 01 10 14 13 24 Findings20Report20 20Investigation20of20Georgia20Prisons 5 - [confirmed] Incarcerated person died of meth overdose at Ware after DOJ interview DOJ's findings report states that an incarcerated person interviewed at Ware State Prison died four days after the interview from a drug overdose, and that on July 3, 2022 incarcerated persons at Ware found him slumped over a second-floor cell block railing, left there for several hours because there were no officers in the control center and staff failed to come to the building; his cause of death was acute methamphetamine toxicity. Date: 2022-07-03 Tags: death,drugs,overdose,staffing Sources: courthousenews.com: 2024 01 10 14 13 24 Findings20Report20 20Investigation20of20Georgia20Prisons 5 - [confirmed] Incarcerated person stabbed at Ware, no staff in dorm DOJ's findings report states that an incarcerated person was stabbed multiple times on May 23, 2022 at Ware State Prison, that there was no security staff in the dorm so other incarcerated people beat on the window to draw staff attention and it took half an hour for someone to respond, and the victim was diagnosed with a collapsed lung from a stab wound. Date: 2022-05-23 Tags: violence,staffing Sources: courthousenews.com: 2024 01 10 14 13 24 Findings20Report20 20Investigation20of20Georgia20Prisons 5 - [confirmed] Bloods gang attack at Ware State Prison February 2022 DOJ's findings report states that in early February 2022, after a Bloods gang member was stabbed inside a housing unit at Ware State Prison, members of the Bloods gang attacked 'Hispanic' gang members on the yard, and at least eight gang members were involved. Date: 2022-02-01 Tags: gangs,violence Sources: courthousenews.com: 2024 01 10 14 13 24 Findings20Report20 20Investigation20of20Georgia20Prisons 5 - [confirmed] Window goop used to pack lock leading to rape at Ware DOJ's findings report states it received a report that incarcerated individuals at Ware State Prison had used window 'goop' to pack a lock and then pop it with a spoon, and that this led to a rape. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: violence,conditions Sources: courthousenews.com: 2024 01 10 14 13 24 Findings20Report20 20Investigation20of20Georgia20Prisons 5 - [confirmed] Sexual assault victim held in segregation nine months at Ware DOJ's findings report states that one incarcerated individual at Ware, who was sexually assaulted, stayed in segregation for a month after reporting the assault, was then moved back into a housing unit, and after experiencing problems with gang members there, was placed in administrative segregation for refusing housing, and at the time of the DOJ interview had been in segregation for nine months. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: solitary,violence,gangs Sources: courthousenews.com: 2024 01 10 14 13 24 Findings20Report20 20Investigation20of20Georgia20Prisons 5 POLICYS (18) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Ware CI fast-tracked to add 200 beds (1989) A Georgia Department of Corrections annual report states that Ware Correctional Institution was put on a fast-track schedule to add 200 beds to its existing facility plant, along with several other facilities. Date: 1989-01-01 Tags: facilities,operations Sources: 1989 annual report - Digital Library of Georgia - [confirmed] James Deal promoted to Warden at Ware State Prison, 2017 GDC Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier announced the promotion of James Deal to Warden at Ware State Prison effective August 21, 2017; as Warden, Deal was responsible for overseeing 397 staff members and 1,546 close security male offenders. Date: 2017-08-21 Tags: staffing,facilities,operations Sources: New Warden Named at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections, new warden named ware state prison [2] - [confirmed] Jeff Coleman promoted to Warden at Ware State Prison, 2018 GDC Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier announced the promotion of Jeff Coleman to Warden at Ware State Prison effective October 1, 2018; as Warden, Coleman was responsible for overseeing 397 staff members and 1,546 close security male offenders. Date: 2018-10-01 Tags: staffing,facilities,operations Sources: New Warden at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections, new warden ware state prison [2] - [confirmed] James Spann named Warden at Ware State Prison, 2024 GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver announced the promotion of James Spann from Warden at Lee State Prison to Warden at Ware State Prison effective October 16, 2024. Date: 2024-10-16 Tags: staffing,facilities,operations Sources: New Warden at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections, new warden ware state prison [3] - [confirmed] Roy Odum promoted to Deputy Warden of Security at Ware State Prison, 2018 GDC Interim Commissioner Timothy C. Ward announced the promotion of Roy Odum to Deputy Warden of Security at Ware State Prison effective December 1, 2018. Date: 2018-12-01 Tags: staffing,facilities,operations Sources: New Deputy Warden of Security at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections, new deputy warden security ware state prison [2] - [confirmed] Aiyesha Johnson promoted to Deputy Warden of Administration at Ware State Prison, 2026 GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver announced the promotion of Aiyesha Johnson, Accounting Technician III at Appling Integrated Treatment Facility, to Deputy Warden of Administration at Ware State Prison, effective January 16, 2026. Date: 2026-01-16 Tags: staffing,facilities,operations Sources: New Deputy Warden of Administration at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] Ware State Prison housing configuration GDC's facility page describes Ware State Prison's housing as consisting of eight housing units with 50 double cells each, an infirmary with 12 beds, segregation with 150 beds, a Fast Track Unit with four dormitories of 54 beds each, Old Ware with 112 beds, and I building with four dorms totaling 256 beds. Tags: facilities,conditions Sources: Facility descriptions / Georgia Department of Corrections; Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] Josh Wicker promoted to Deputy Warden of Security at Ware State Prison, 2018 GDC Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier announced the promotion of Josh Wicker to Deputy Warden of Security at Ware State Prison effective April 1, 2018; as Deputy Warden of Security, Wicker was responsible for overseeing 295 staff members. Date: 2018-04-01 Tags: staffing,facilities,operations Sources: New Deputy Warden of Security at Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections, new deputy warden security ware state prison [3] - [confirmed] Ware State Prison serves adult male felons GDC's facility page lists Ware State Prison as serving Adult Male Felons. Tags: facilities,demographics Sources: Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Ware State Prison security upgrades in FY2020 GDC's FY2020 Annual Fiscal Report lists Ware State Prison among facilities that completed rear-gate hardening, new interior sally port gates, and fencing modifications in FY2020. Tags: facilities,operations,security Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2020 - [confirmed] Ware State Prison security level is Close GDC's facility page lists Ware State Prison's security level as Close. Tags: facilities Sources: Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Ware State Prison has Tier II unit GDC's current website lists separate Tier II Visitation Hours for Ware State Prison, confirming the facility has a Tier II unit. Tags: facilities,operations Sources: Ware State Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Body scanners installed at Ware State Prison (2016) GDC's FY2017 Annual Fiscal Report states that body scanners were installed at Ware State Prison in November as part of the first phase of body scanner implementation that began in 2016. Date: 2016-11-01 Tags: security,contraband,facilities Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2017 - [reported] Welding program at Ware State Prison Board of Corrections minutes record a program highlight describing welding programs at Walker and Ware State Prison, and Diesel Mechanic Technician programs at Telfair, Rogers and other facilities. Date: 2015-09-01 Tags: programs,reentry Sources: Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes september 2015 - [confirmed] Glen Johnson appointed Warden of Dooly State Prison, 2015 GDC Commissioner Brian Owens announced the appointment of Glen Johnson as Warden of Dooly State Prison effective January 1, 2015. Date: 2015-01-01 Tags: staffing,operations Sources: Ambrose Native Named Warden | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] GDC suspends visitation statewide due to COVID-19 GDC said it suspended visitation at all correctional facilities statewide following a directive issued by Governor Kemp, with the visitation suspension in effect through April 10, 2020. Date: 2020-03-12 Tags: policy,operations Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections Suspends Visitation Statewide | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Construction underway on new 500-bed institution in Ware County (1986) A Georgia Department of Corrections annual report states that construction was underway on new 500-bed institutions in Lowndes and Ware counties. Date: 1986-01-01 Tags: facilities,budget Sources: 1986 annual report - Digital Library of Georgia - [reported] Ware State Prison is a Sex Offender Release Site GDC's facility description for Ware State Prison lists its security level as CLOSE and names it a Sex Offender Release Site and host facility for Bacon Probation Detention Center and Appling Integrated Treatment Facility. Tags: facilities,reentry,operations Sources: Facility descriptions / Georgia Department of Corrections FINDINGS (18) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Ware State Prison included in DOJ staffing vacancy data set DOJ's findings report lists Ware State Prison among the 24 of approximately 34 GDC prisons housing people at close- and medium-security levels for which GDC provided staffing vacancy data as of April 26, 2023. Date: 2023-04-26 Tags: staffing,investigations,facilities Sources: courthousenews.com: 2024 01 10 14 13 24 Findings20Report20 20Investigation20of20Georgia20Prisons 5 - [confirmed] Ware State Prison visited by DOJ in 2022-2023 investigation DOJ's findings report lists Ware State Prison among the prisons DOJ visited in 2022 and 2023 as part of its investigation. Tags: investigations,facilities Sources: courthousenews.com: 2024 01 10 14 13 24 Findings20Report20 20Investigation20of20Georgia20Prisons 5 - [reported] Officers carried building keys due to short staffing before Ware riot Former Ware State Prison corrections officer John Eason told WSAV-TV that officers were asked to carry keys giving access throughout the prison because the facility was too short-staffed to place an officer in the control rooms, and that inmates allegedly got hold of those keys the night of the riot. Tags: staffing,operations,violence,facilities Sources: Former Ware State Prison corrections officer describes staff shortages after riot | WSAV-TV, former ware state prison corrections officer explains staff shortages after riot [2] - [reported] GDC silence on February 2022 Ware disturbance As of 6:00 p.m. on February 2, 2022, GDC had not commented on a disturbance at Ware State Prison; its social media and press release portal contained no information on the disturbance, according to The Georgia Virtue. Date: 2022-02-02 Tags: violence,investigations,operations Sources: GDC is Silent Once Again on Ware State Prison Violence, Stabbings • The Georgia Virtue - [disputed] Unconfirmed reports of four stabbings after February 2022 Ware uprising According to unconfirmed reports by family members with loved ones inside Ware State Prison, at least four people had been stabbed since the February 2022 uprising, and the facility remained on lockdown for some, per The Georgia Virtue. Date: 2022-02-02 Tags: violence,facilities Sources: GDC is Silent Once Again on Ware State Prison Violence, Stabbings • The Georgia Virtue - [reported] Southern Center for Human Rights cited understaffing at Ware State Prison Georgia Public Broadcasting reported that the Southern Center for Human Rights mentioned extensive problems, some dating back to 2019, caused in part by severe understaffing at Georgia State Prison, Macon State Prison and Ware State Prison. Tags: staffing,conditions,investigations Sources: COVID Races Through Some Georgia Prisons, Sickening Staff And Inmates | Georgia Public Broadcasting - [confirmed] Ware State Prison security level Ware State Prison is classified as a Close security level facility, per the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' 'Maintenance of State Prisons' report. Date: 2012-01-01 Tags: facilities Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [reported] Ware Correctional Institution's special-purpose role (1974) A Georgia Department of Corrections annual report describes Ware Correctional Institution as serving a special purpose, designed to house inmates who would not fit in at other institutions, such as ex-police officers, ex-correctional officers, or inmates who have testified against other inmates. Date: 1974-01-01 Tags: facilities,policy,conditions Sources: Annual report 1974 - [reported] Officer attributes disturbance to lack of staff and equipment A different officer who was on duty the night of the disturbance told News4Jax that lack of staff and equipment is part of the blame for how the inmates were able to take control. Tags: staffing,violence,facilities,operations Sources: news4jax.com: Ware State Prison - [confirmed] Ware State Prison region Ware State Prison is located in the Southeast region, per the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' 'Maintenance of State Prisons' report. Date: 2012-01-01 Tags: facilities Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [reported] Two officers quit after Ware State Prison riot After a violent riot at Ware State Prison over the weekend, at least two correctional officers quit and others were considering it; interviews with guards and inmates suggested short staffing in part due to coronavirus left the prison vulnerable. Tags: staffing,violence,coronavirus Sources: Guards: South Georgia prison riot a bad omen for other facilities - [reported] Eason left Ware job for safety reasons; shifts below 10 officers A former Ware State Prison corrections officer, John Eason, said he left the job for safety reasons after the prison staff became stretched thin, and that at least 33 officers usually work per shift but lately that number had been below 10. Tags: staffing,operations Sources: Former Ware State Prison corrections officer describes staff shortages after riot | WSAV-TV, former ware state prison corrections officer explains staff shortages after riot [1] - [confirmed] PREA audit standards results for Ware State Prison A PREA Facility Audit Report for Ware State Prison found 1 standard exceeded, 44 standards met, and 0 standards not met, with the exceeded standard identified as 115.51 - Inmate reporting. Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: legal,policy,investigations Sources: PREA Facility Audit Report: Final, prea inmate services audit cycle 4 - [reported] Dontavis Mintz cause of death listed as undetermined According to GDC documents secured through an open records request, GDC lists Dontavis Mintz's cause of death as 'undetermined,' and GDC calls the reports at the end of death investigations 'state secrets' and will not release the information. Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: death,investigations,legal Sources: A mother's son died in Georgia prison. The Department of Justice wonders if understaffing is why | Georgia Public Broadcasting - [confirmed] PREA onsite audit start date 2023-09-19 A PREA audit of Ware State Prison records the start date of the onsite portion of the audit as 2023-09-19. Date: 2023-09-19 Tags: legal,policy,investigations Sources: PREA Facility Audit Report: Final, prea inmate services audit cycle 4 - [reported] AJC: Ware State Prison disturbance report heavily redacted The AJC reported that a disturbance at Ware State Prison in August 2020 that resulted in injuries to two officers and three inmates is reported by GDC with eleven pages completely redacted. Date: 2020-08-01 Tags: investigations,violence,operations Sources: Georgia prison system clamps down on information that could expose critical problems, Atlanta Journal-Constitution - [reported] 11Alive video shows no electricity, water, little food at Ware State Prison 11Alive captioned provided video as: "Video from an inmate at the Ware State Prison in Georgia shows no electricity, running water, and little food." Tags: conditions,facilities Sources: Video shows conditions inside Ware State Prison in Georgia | 11alive.com - [reported] Christina Remlin quote on staffing vacancy rates Christina Remlin, head of litigation for the Southern Center for Human Rights, said many Georgia prison facilities run staffing vacancy rates close to 70 percent, so there is only one officer in a situation where three are needed. Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: staffing,conditions Sources: 'This is crazy. Somebody dead.' Inmate body underscores staffing woes in Georgia prison system | FOX 5 Atlanta QUOTES (7) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] GDC spokesperson quote on statewide lockdown "Out of an abundance of caution, all GDC facilities have been placed on lockdown until further notice," wrote a GDC spokesperson. Tags: violence,operations Sources: GDC: 9 hurt after 'gang-related' fight at Dooly State Prison, prompting statewide lockdown Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility - [reported] Minister Dwight Futch quote on abuses at Ware State Prison Minister Dwight Futch, who organized a protest for prisoners' families outside the Atlanta parole board office in the days following the violence at Ware State Prison, said abuses there are not unique and are happening at other facilities across the state, saying "When your prison goes up in smoke, that means it's time for some changes." Date: 2020-01-01 Tags: conditions,violence,reentry Sources: Georgia Prisoners Lacked Food, Water, Leading to Melee, Prison Legal News - [reported] GDC spokesperson statement on Ware State Prison disturbance investigation Following the disturbance at Ware State Prison, a GDC spokesperson said the incident was still under investigation and the department had no additional information on possible pending charges. Tags: investigations,operations Sources: Officials investigating the Ware State Prison riot – Action News Jax - [reported] Officer resignation letter cites short staffing "The reason for my resignation is we are too short staffed to safely run the prison," Danyelle Campos, who'd been a guard at the prison for nine months but wasn't on duty during the riot, wrote in her resignation letter Monday. "Too many officers are being put in unnecessary risk and nothing is being done." Tags: staffing,violence Sources: Guards: South Georgia prison riot a bad omen for other facilities - [reported] Former officer attributes Ware disturbance to short staffing John Eason, a former Georgia Department of Corrections officer who worked at Ware State Prison for 10 years and resigned two weeks before the August 2020 disturbance, said "We have been breaking policy -- very short staff," and said he believes if Ware State Prison had more guards, the disturbance "absolutely would not have happened." Date: 2020-08-02 Tags: staffing,violence,operations Sources: 3 inmates, 2 staff injured in disturbance at Ware State Prison - [reported] Eason: officers handed building keys due to short staffing Former Ware State Prison officer John Eason said that because they got so short-staffed, they could not afford to place an officer in the control rooms and were instead just handed the keys to the buildings. Tags: staffing,operations,facilities Sources: Former Ware State Prison corrections officer describes staff shortages after riot | WSAV-TV, former ware state prison corrections officer explains staff shortages after riot [1] - [reported] Former officer describes hostage and key-control risk under short staffing John Eason said that with Ware State Prison short-staffed, the fear was what if an officer got taken hostage or beat up, because the inmates have control of your keys and they can pop every inmate in your building out and they can walk out the door. Date: 2020-08-02 Tags: staffing,violence,operations Sources: 3 inmates, 2 staff injured in disturbance at Ware State Prison DATA GAPS (8) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] No GDC press-release matches for Ware State inmate deaths (2024-2025) Searches of the Georgia Department of Corrections 2024 and 2025 press-release pages for 'Inmate Death', 'Ware State Prison homicide', and 'Death Under Investigation' returned no matches. Tags: death,investigations,facilities Sources: 2024 Press Releases | Georgia Department of Corrections; 2025 Press Releases | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] No Ware State mentions in November 2020 Board of Corrections minutes A search of the Board of Corrections November 2020 meeting minutes for 'Ware State Prison' and 'Ware SP' returned no matches. Date: 2020-11-01 Tags: policy,operations,facilities Sources: Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes november 2020 - [confirmed] No Ware State line items in FY2026 amended budget conference committee substitute A search of the Conference Committee Substitute to H.B. 973 (FY2026 amended budget) for 'Ware State Prison' and 'GDC-22-WARE' returned no matches. Tags: budget,policy,facilities Sources: Conference Committee Substitute to H.B. 973 (Amended FY2026) - [confirmed] No Ware State matches in Fire Marshal inspection reports A search of Georgia Fire Marshal reports for 'inspection', 'search by facility', 'Ware State Prison', and '26-009306' returned no matches. Tags: facilities,conditions,investigations Sources: Fire Marshal - Reports - [confirmed] No Ware State mentions in WABE Senate study committee coverage A search of WABE's coverage of the Georgia Senate study committee on prison reform for 'Ware State Prison', 'Ware State', and 'Waycross' returned no matches. Tags: policy,legal,facilities Sources: Georgia Senate study committee agrees to reform prison conditions – WABE - [confirmed] No Ware State line items in HB 67 FY2025 amended appropriations Searches of HB 67 (FY2025 amended appropriations) for 'Ware State Prison', 'Waycross, Ware County', and 'Ware SP' returned no matches. Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: budget,policy,facilities Sources: Hb 67 FY2025A - [confirmed] No Ware State mentions in SCHR lawsuit coverage A search of the Southern Center for Human Rights' coverage of a lawsuit challenging conditions at Georgia State Prison for 'Ware State Prison', 'Ware State', and 'Waycross' returned no matches. Tags: legal,conditions,investigations Sources: Lawsuit Challenges Inhuman Conditions of Confinement at Georgia State Prison – Southern Center for Human Rights - [reported] No charges or arrests announced in Ware drone contraband bust Officials have not released details regarding specific criminal charges or potential arrests stemming from the seized drone shipment intended for Ware State Prison, and have not publicly identified the driver or any passengers pulled over during the Interstate 75 traffic stop. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: contraband,investigations,legal Sources: Butts County drone contraband bust: Deputies intercept prison delivery on I-75 | FOX 5 Atlanta METHODOLOGY NOTES (2) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] DOJ visited Ware State Prison during 2022-2023 investigation DOJ's investigation into Georgia prisons included site visits to Ware State Prison among a list of prisons DOJ visited in 2022 and 2023. Tags: investigations,facilities Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] PREA Cycle 3 audit dates at Ware State Prison A GDC PREA audit of Ware State Prison was conducted 3/22/21 thru 3/24/21. Tags: investigations,facilities,policy Sources: GDC, PREA Ware - Audit (Cycle 3) TRENDS (1) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Average recorded suicides in Georgia prisons quintupled after 2017 The average number of recorded suicides in Georgia prisons quintupled after 2017, according to GPB reporting on DOJ statements. Tags: death,mental_health Sources: A mother's son died in Georgia prison. The Department of Justice wonders if understaffing is why | Georgia Public Broadcasting DATASETS (2) ---------------------------------------- # Ware State Prison FY18 Bed Counts Average bed counts for Ware State Prison in FY2018 as reported by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts. Bed Type Count -------------------- Standard 1269 Special Use 211 Physical 1480 # Ware State Prison Maintenance Expenditures FY2010-FY2011 Maintenance expenditures for Ware State Prison from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' 'Maintenance of State Prisons' special examination. Fiscal Year Expenditures --------------------------- FY2010 953083.38 FY2011 780348.61 KEY ENTITIES (129) ---------------------------------------- - Aiyesha Johnson [person]: Promoted from Accounting Technician III at Appling ITF to Deputy Warden of Administration at Ware State Prison effective January 16, 2026. - Alfonso Marquez Moore [person]: Inmate who died at Ware State Prison on June 19, 2023 of blunt impact injuries to the head. - Appling Integrated Treatment Facility [facility]: Facility hosted by Ware State Prison according to GDC facility description. - Bacon Probation Detention Center [facility]: Facility hosted by Ware State Prison according to GDC facility description. - Belval v. Ware State Prison [case]: Federal lawsuit against Ware State Prison; dismissed in 2024 for failure to follow court directives and local rules. - Bernard Robinson [person]: Plaintiff in Robinson v. Medical Staff at Ware State Prison; complaint recommended for dismissal. - Bloods [organization]: A gang involved in violence at Ware State Prison. - Bloods gang [organization]: Gang involved in a February 2022 melee at Ware State Prison described in the DOJ findings report. (aka: Bloods) - Boyd v. Ware State Prison [case]: Federal lawsuit against Ware State Prison; complaint dismissed without prejudice in 2023 for failure to follow court directives. - Brian K. Epps [person]: Magistrate Judge who signed the Danenberg v. Philbin dismissal (2019). - Brian Owens [person]: Vice Chairman of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles for FY2019. Appointed to the Parole Board on February 1, 2015 by Governor Nathan Deal. Former Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections. (aka: Brian Owens, Vice Chairman) - Brittany Williams [person]: Correctional Officer at Ware State Prison arrested for bringing marijuana into the facility in 2018. - Brown v. Gramiak [case]: Federal case in which summary judgment was granted for defendants and Eric Brown's complaint dismissed with prejudice (2020). - Calhoun State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison where two female correctional officers were arrested in 2020 for allegedly smuggling methamphetamine in Hot Pockets; cases dismissed due to GDC failure to test evidence. - Chase Pinckney [person]: Defendant alleged in federal indictment to have authorized the beating of an inmate at Ware State Prison on November 5, 2020. - Christina Remlin [person]: Head of litigation for the Southern Center for Human Rights. - Christopher Arnett Rawls [person]: Inmate who died at Ware State Prison on Sept. 5, 2020 of strangulation. - Christopher Eli Gresham [person]: Inmate who died at Ware State Prison on Sept. 30, 2021 of stab wounds. - Christopher Michael Drake Taylor [person]: Inmate who died at Ware State Prison on May 28, 2024, of a stab wound to the torso. - Cleveland D. Dunn [person]: Plaintiff in Dunn v. Hart alleging deliberate indifference and failure to protect. - Dale Scott Davies [person]: Plaintiff in Davies v. Courson alleging excessive force at Ware State Prison. - Danyelle Campos [person]: Former correctional officer at Ware State Prison who resigned after a riot, citing short staffing. - Davies v. Courson [case]: Federal lawsuit alleging excessive force at Ware State Prison. - Dodge State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison where 592 grams of marijuana were found with a drone operator in November 2025. - Dontavis Mintz [person]: An incarcerated person who died at Ware State Prison in August 2021 at age 24. (aka: DonTavis Mintz) - Dooly State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison where Jackie Kavaskia McMillan led drug trafficking network; second highest cell phone seizure count by end of 2016 (1,342 phones). - Drug Enforcement Administration [organization]: Federal law enforcement agency that led Operation Night Drop investigation. (aka: DEA) - Dunn v. Hart [case]: Federal lawsuit alleging deliberate indifference and failure to protect at Ware State Prison. - Dwight Futch [person]: Former corrections officer who organized an external protest following the August 2020 Ware State Prison disturbance. - Eric Cox [person]: Promoted from Warden at Dodge State Prison to Warden at the Special Management Unit effective January 16, 2026. - GDC Office of Professional Standards [organization]: GDC internal office that examines operations, gathers information, enforces departmental standards and laws through audits and investigations, and recommends solutions for complaints related to inmates, facility operations, and other Department of Corrections matters. - Georgia Board of Corrections [organization]: Governing board that issues rules for Georgia prison operations, including Rule 125-4-2-.08 (Library) and Rule 125-2-4-.17 - Georgia Correctional HealthCare [organization]: Division of Augusta University that provided medical services to GDC from 1998 to 2021 under approximately $190 million annual contract (aka: GCHC) - Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts [organization]: State agency the committee recommended review all GDC contract renewals for the past five years. (aka: Georgia Department of Audits) - Georgia Department of Corrections [organization]: State agency responsible for operating Georgia's prison system. Subject of federal DOJ investigation in 2022-2023 for constitutional violations including food-related deaths. (aka: GDC) - Georgia Department of Public Health [organization]: State agency providing drug overdose surveillance data including statewide overdose statistics. (aka: DPH) - Georgia Fire Marshal [organization]: State fire inspection agency whose reports database returned no matches for Ware State Prison. (aka: Fire Marshal) - Georgia General Assembly [organization]: Georgia state legislature. Has not advanced legislation to address prison labor compensation or remove the state's slavery exception. A two-thirds vote in both chambers would be required to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. - Georgia Senate [organization]: State legislative body whose study committee on prison reform was covered by WABE without Ware State Prison mentions. - Georgia Senate Study Committee on the Department of Corrections [organization]: Georgia State Senate committee that published a 2024 final report on conditions in the Department of Corrections (aka: Senate Supporting Safety and Security Study Committee, Senate Study Committee) - Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission [organization]: State agency posting GDCP procurement solicitations. - Georgia State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison where Chad Ashley Allen, serving a life sentence for murder, operated drug trafficking enterprise with Ghost Face Gangsters. - Gerald Brummett [person]: Sergeant at Ware State Prison recognized for lifesaving action in 2020. - Gillis v. Odum [case]: Federal case (2026) granting motion to dismiss filed by Jones, Odum, and Cox and dismissing the complaint. - Glen Johnson [person]: Warden of Ware State Prison effective July 1, 2013. - Gregory C. Dozier [person]: GDC Commissioner who announced Shay Hatcher's promotion in 2018. - Hays State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison visited by DOJ during 2022-2023 investigation (aka: Hays) - Hope Salinas [person]: Investigator who worked for Ware State Prison; testified in Mosley v. State. - Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee [organization]: A committee of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) that organizes incarcerated workers, instrumental in organizing the 2016 and 2018 national prison strikes (aka: IWOC) - IVY v. WARE STATE PRISON [case]: Federal lawsuit against Ware State Prison; magistrate recommended dismissal without prejudice in 2025 for failure to follow orders and failure to prosecute. (aka: Ivy v. Ware State Prison) - Jackson v. Odum [case]: Civil case in which Keldric Cordell Jackson filed an amended complaint naming four defendants. - James Deal [person]: Promoted to Warden at Ware State Prison effective August 21, 2017. - James Spann [person]: Deputy Warden of Care & Treatment at Wilcox State Prison from 2015, reassigned to Autry State Prison in 2020. - Jeff Coleman [person]: Promoted to Warden at Ware State Prison effective October 1, 2018. - Jeffrey Vardin [person]: Probationer arrested in connection with drone contraband at Ware State Prison in September 2022. - Joe Kenny Boyett [person]: Woodshop Instructor at Ware State Prison honored by having the woodshop building named after him. - John Eason [person]: Former GDC officer who worked at Ware State Prison for 10 years and resigned two weeks before the August 2020 disturbance. - John Ekers [person]: 54-year-old inmate convicted in 1991 for murder in Cobb County, found dead at Ware State Prison on July 3, 2021. - Josh Wicker [person]: Promoted to Deputy Warden of Security at Ware State Prison effective April 1, 2018. - Joshua Butler [person]: Maintenance worker at Ware State Prison arrested for attempting to introduce tobacco into the facility. - Junco v. Ware State Prison [case]: Federal lawsuit against Ware State Prison; motion to dismiss denied by magistrate judge on 2025-09-15. - Justin Diaz [person]: Civilian arrested by Ware County Sheriff's Office on February 25, 2025, in connection with contraband near Ware State Prison. - Justin Green [person]: Civilian arrested near Ware State Prison with contraband including cell phones and tobacco. - Justin Stokes [person]: Inmate (GDC#1232725) found unresponsive at Ware State Prison on February 21, 2018; death investigated as apparent suicide. - Keldric Cordell Jackson [person]: Plaintiff who filed an amended complaint in Jackson v. Odum. - Kelvin Rogers [person]: Inmate at Smith State Prison, 38, named in federal drone-smuggling indictments (Operation Night Drop, USA v. Harris). (aka: Gangsta) - Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, LLP [organization]: Law firm that co-filed the federal lawsuit with SCHR on behalf of people in solitary confinement at Georgia State Prison. - Kojack Thomas Jr. [person]: Ware County inmate pronounced dead May 31, 2026; death investigated as homicide by GDC. - Kuame Darby [person]: An incarcerated person (GDC#1000686019) who died at Ware State Prison in October 2018. - Kyle Anthony Strother [person]: Inmate who died at Ware State Prison on June 5, 2022 of a stab wound to the chest. - Latrima McNeal [person]: Correctional Officer at Ware State Prison recognized for lifesaving action in 2020. - Lee State Prison [facility]: Cycle 3 reports 16 cells with 32 beds. - Leonardo Lamonte Anderson [person]: Inmate who died at Ware State Prison on April 20, 2024 of multiple stab wounds. - Louis Sandoval [person]: Civilian arrested by Ware County Sheriff's Office on February 25, 2025, in connection with contraband near Ware State Prison. - Lutria Jones [person]: Defendant named in Jackson v. Odum amended complaint. - Marquis Walker [person]: An incarcerated person (GDC #1001981464) who died at Ware State Prison in June 2018. - Martella Walker [person]: Promoted to Deputy Warden of Security at Ware State Prison effective September 16, 2025. - McClain v. Odum [case]: Federal case (2025) dismissing claims against James Spann as unopposed while claims against remaining defendants, including Roy Odum, remained pending. - Melissa Getzendaner [person]: Civilian arrested near Ware State Prison with contraband including cell phones and tobacco. - Michael Griffin [person]: Supervisor of Lock Down Unit and Tactical Squad Commander at Ware State Prison, defendant in Whatley v. Warden. - Mosley v. State [case]: Supreme Court of Georgia, 2026-06-16; affirmed felony murder and possession of prohibited items convictions for stabbing with handmade knives. - Nadeah Culberson [person]: Ware State Prison officer arrested December 22, 2019 after a body scanner revealed 178 grams of tobacco on her person. (aka: Officer Nadeah Culberson) - News4Jax [organization]: Jacksonville-based news outlet that reported on COVID-19 cases and a disturbance at Ware State Prison. (aka: news4jax.com) - Officer Fulton [person]: Correctional Officer at Ware State Prison arrested for contraband in 2019. - Operation Night Drop [operation]: 2024 DEA operation resulting in two federal indictments targeting drone-based drug delivery conspiracies at Smith State Prison, Telfair State Prison, and other facilities from 2019 through July 2024. - Richard Smith [person]: Inmate at Ware State Prison charged with RICO conspiracy and drug conspiracy in Sex Money Murder indictment and United States v. Brandt. (aka: Alleyway, Brett Favre) - Robert Harris [person]: Defendant in United States v. Harris. - Robert Lee Wilson III [person]: Inmate, age 31, killed at Ware State Prison on July 17, 2020 by multiple stab wounds; incident involved 16 other inmates, seven injured. - Robert Wilson [person]: Inmate (GDC # 1000264068) who died July 17, 2020, after an altercation at Ware State Prison; death investigated as suspected homicide. - Robinson v. Medical Staff at Ware State Prison [case]: Civil case in which Bernard Robinson's complaint was recommended for dismissal for failure to state a claim. - Rodney Smith [person]: Corrections Officer (C.E.R.T. Team) at Telfair State Prison, defendant in Whatley v. Warden. - Roy Odum [person]: Former warden of Valdosta State Prison (late 2024); reassigned amid scrutiny; replaced by Curtis Carter - Samuel Keith Ellis [person]: Inmate who died at Ware State Prison on Aug. 1, 2024, of multiple sharp force injuries; homicide with three inmates involved. - Scott v. Odum [case]: Federal lawsuit in which Eighth Amendment failure-to-protect claims against ten named defendants were allowed to proceed while claims against four others were dismissed (2023). - Sex Money Murder [organization]: Gang whose members and associates were charged in a 12-count federal racketeering, drug trafficking, and firearms indictment, including a beating at Ware State Prison. (aka: SMM) - Shavon Thomas [person]: Defendant in United States v. Brandt; subject of a motion for a James hearing deferred on July 11, 2024. - Shawn Mosley [person]: Inmate who stabbed a victim multiple times at Ware State Prison; case was pending at time of his separate murder trial. - Shawn Wayne Whatley [person]: Plaintiff in Whatley v. Warden, Ware State Prison and Whatley v. Hart; alleged beating by guards at Telfair State Prison and inadequate medical care at Ware State Prison. - Southern Center for Human Rights [organization]: Legal advocacy organization that investigated food conditions at Gordon County Jail and sent a formal letter to Sheriff Mitch Ralston in October 2014. (aka: SCHR) - Stasha McIntyre [person]: Civilian arrested in connection with drone contraband at Ware State Prison in September 2022. - Stewart v. Johnson [case]: Federal civil rights case with partial summary judgment ruling on October 16, 2020 and jury trial set for February 23, 2021 in Waycross, Georgia. - Taneshia Rainge [person]: Correctional Officer at Ware State Prison arrested for bringing marijuana into the facility in 2018. - Telfair State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison involved in Operation Ghost Busted (Desiree Briley) and Operation Night Drop drone smuggling network. - Thomas Cothran [person]: Defendant in United States v. Harris. - Thomas Jerome McCoy [person]: Inmate who died at Ware State Prison on Oct. 7, 2023 of a stab wound to the chest. - Thomas McCoy [person]: Inmate who died at Ware State Prison on October 7 after an altercation. - Timothy C. Ward [person]: Former Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections. The November 30, 2022 Central Office Appeal Response falsely denying Legionella was issued on letterhead bearing his name. Named defendant in Sullivan v. Ward. (aka: Commissioner Ward) - Tom Gramiak [person]: Warden of Ware State Prison effective January 1, 2014. - Toni Hammock [person]: Lieutenant at Ware State Prison recognized for lifesaving action in 2020. - Tyrone Oliver [person]: Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections who in March 2024 stopped including preliminary cause of death in monthly mortality reports. (aka: Commissioner Oliver, GDC Commissioner) - U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia [organization]: Federal prosecutor's office that announced the Jeffery sentencing. (aka: USAO-NDGA) - U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia [organization]: Federal prosecutor's office that announced the drone-smuggling sentencings. (aka: US Attorney's Office, Southern District of Georgia) - U.S. Department of Justice [organization]: Federal agency that published October 2024 findings report on unconstitutional conditions in Georgia prisons. (aka: DOJ) - United States v. Brandt [case]: Federal criminal case with docket activity through July 2024, including a deferred ruling on a James hearing motion as to defendant Shavon Thomas. - USA v. Hall [case]: Federal criminal case related to drone smuggling, unsealed alongside USA v. Harris. (aka: United States v. Hall) - USA v. Harris [case]: Federal criminal case involving Kelvin Rogers, Robert Harris, Thomas Cothran, and others, related to drone smuggling. (aka: United States v. Harris) - Va'Darian LaVianta Carr [person]: Inmate who died at Ware State Prison on Sept. 18, 2022 of stab wounds. - Valorie Patton [person]: Visitor arrested for attempting to bring contraband into Ware State Prison in 2016. - Ware County Police [organization]: Local law enforcement agency whose officers shot three incarcerated people during the August 1, 2020 Ware State Prison disturbance, per IWOC reporting. - Ware County Sheriff's Department [organization]: The county law enforcement agency that stopped a vehicle involved in drone contraband at Ware State Prison. - Ware County Sheriff's Office [organization]: County law enforcement agency that made contraband arrests adjacent to Ware State Prison. - Ware State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison leading all GDC facilities in cell phone seizures by end of 2016, with 1,392 phones confiscated. - Warren Haynes [person]: Correctional Officer at Ware State Prison recognized for going the extra mile. - Weems v. Ware State Prison [case]: Federal lawsuit against Ware State Prison; complaint dismissed without prejudice in 2024. - Whatley v. Hart [case]: District court case on remand (2020) granting in part and denying in part summary judgment on excessive force claims. - Whatley v. Warden, Ware State Prison [case]: 2015 Eleventh Circuit case reversing a dismissal for failure to apply the Turner framework. (aka: Whatley I, 802 F.3d 1205) - Wilcox State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison visited by DOJ during 2022-2023 investigation (aka: Wilcox) - William Steedley [person]: Warden of Calhoun State Prison effective October 1, 2020; later terminated as a party in Clayton v. Ward. - Worthen v. York [case]: Federal case (2024) in which Eighth Amendment excessive force claims against York, Hocomb, and Toddman proceeded but the case was ultimately dismissed and closed. SOURCES (104) ---------------------------------------- - 'This is crazy. Somebody dead.' Inmate body underscores staffing woes in Georgia prison system | FOX 5 Atlanta, FOX 5 Atlanta [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/inmate-body-ware-county-understaffing-georgia-prison-system - &noscript=1" /> (dea.gov), Drug Enforcement Administration (2024-08-21) [press_release, primary] URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20260630220022id_/https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2024/08/21/pair-indictments-charge-conspiracies-use-drones-deliver-illegal-drugs -