Legal & Constitutional
DOJ Investigation of Georgia Prisons: Violence, Safety & Constitutional Violations
This document is from the U.S. Department of Justice's investigation into Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) prisons, finding systemic constitutional violations including broken security infrastructure, dysfunctional classification and housing systems, gang control over prison operations, massive contraband problems (27,425 weapons and 12,483 cellphones recovered in under two years), severe underreporting of homicides and violent incidents, and widespread failures in incident investigation. The DOJ identifies deliberate indifference to incarcerated persons' safety, with specific case details of homicides resulting from classification failures, and recommends 82 minimum remedial measures. The findings reveal that less than 10% of fights and less than 23% of assaults were forwarded for investigation, and that GDC's mortality data systematically undercounts homicides by classifying obvious killings as 'unknown' for months or years.
Pre-written explainers based on this research
Key Findings
The most impactful data from this research collection.
27,425
27,425 weapons recovered from Georgia prisons in 20 months
StatisticDOJ finds reasonable cause of Eighth Amendment violations
FindingMedical unit door locks broken for 17+ years
Finding67%
67% of inmates housed in wrong cells at one prison
Statistic142
142 homicides in Georgia prisons over 5 years
Statistic35
Record 35 prison homicides in Georgia in 2023 alone
Statistic10%
Less than 10% of prison fights referred for investigation
StatisticCorrectional officer vacancy rate hit 56% in 2022
StatisticAll Data Points
172 verified data points extracted from primary sources.
Weapons recovered from GDC prisons Nov 2021-Aug 2023 Statistic
Between November 2021 and August 2023, GDC recovered 27,425 weapons from its prisons.
27,425 weapons
DOJ finds reasonable cause of Eighth Amendment violations in Georgia prisons Finding
After an extensive investigation in Georgia's prisons housing people at the medium- and close-security levels, the Department of Justice concludes that there is reasonable cause to believe that the State of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Corr…
Cellphones recovered from GDC prisons Nov 2021-Aug 2023 Statistic
Between November 2021 and August 2023, GDC recovered 12,483 cellphones from its prisons.
12,483 cellphones
Georgia has fourth-highest state prison population Statistic
Georgia is the eighth most populous state in the United States and has the fourth-highest state prison population.
4 rank among state prison populations
Illegal drug items recovered from GDC prisons Nov 2021-Aug 2023 Statistic
Between November 2021 and August 2023, GDC recovered 2,016 illegal drug items from its prisons.
2,016 drug items
GDC incarcerates almost 50,000 people in 34 state and 4 private prisons Statistic
GDC incarcerates almost 50,000 people in 34 state-operated prisons and 4 private prisons, ranging in capacity from fewer than 500 to more than 2,500 beds.
50,000 incarcerated people (approximate)
Drone sightings documented by GDC Nov 2021-Aug 2023 Statistic
Between November 2021 and August 2023, GDC documented 262 drone sightings at its prisons.
262 drone sightings
GDC operates 38 total prisons Statistic
GDC operates 34 state-operated prisons and 4 private prisons, totaling 38 prisons including men's medium- and close-security prisons, men's 'special mission' prisons, and women's prisons.
38 prisons
Fence-line throw-overs documented by GDC Nov 2021-Aug 2023 Statistic
Between November 2021 and August 2023, GDC documented 346 fence-line throw-overs at its prisons.
346 throw-overs
Systemwide CO vacancy rate approximately 50% Statistic
Staffing levels vary across the prisons, with correctional officer vacancy rates around 50% systemwide and over 70% at ten of the largest facilities.
50% vs. percent at ten largest facilities
Non-working medical unit door locks for 17+ years Finding
Staff at a GDC prison reported that doors in the medical unit, including doors leading to administrative offices, have not had working locks for at least 17 years. Incarcerated people walk into the staff breakroom and steal food from the refrigerato…
Over 32,000 people classified medium security Statistic
More than 32,000 of GDC's population are classified as medium security.
32,000 people classified medium security
Padlocks used on cell doors violating national standards Finding
DOJ confirmed that GDC sometimes inappropriately uses padlocks on cell doors due to broken primary locks. Using padlocks on cell doors is a violation of national correctional standards. GDC's fire safety inspections have identified this as a violati…
Over 11,600 people classified close security Statistic
More than 11,600 of GDC's population are classified as close security.
11,600 people classified close security
Fire safety systems non-operational in some prisons Finding
In some GDC prisons, entire fire safety systems or most alarms are nonoperational due to GDC's failure to fix them. For prisons with inoperable fire alarm systems, staff is required to conduct fire watch rounds every 30 minutes, but DOJ review of lo…
Almost 10,000 serving life or life without parole Statistic
Almost 10,000 are serving a life sentence or life without parole; for the remainder, the average sentence is about 26 years.
10,000 people serving life or LWOP (approximate)
67% of surveyed individuals in wrong cells at medium-security prison Statistic
At one large medium-security prison, DOJ expert found that about 67% of the individuals surveyed in several different general population housing units were standing in front of cells other than those identified as theirs on GDC's roster, confirming …
67%
Average sentence about 26 years for non-lifers Statistic
For those not serving life or life without parole, the average sentence is about 26 years.
26 years average sentence
Calhoun State Prison homicide: 21-year-old killed by cellmate May 2022 Case detail
In May 2022, a 21-year-old man was killed by his cellmate at Calhoun State Prison following multiple failures in GDC's classification and housing systems. Staff moved the assailant out of segregation to general population and back to segregation wit…
GDC operates on $1.2 billion budget Statistic
GDC operates on a $1.2 billion budget.
$1.2B
STG member killed non-gang cellmate in segregation October 2022 Case detail
On October 3, 2022, a validated STG member was placed in a segregation cell with a non-gang member who was classified as sexually aggressive. The STG member killed the cellmate. Putting two individuals with these classification factors together in a…
Georgia prison population more than doubled since 1990 Trend
Since 1990, Georgia's prison population has more than doubled, from a little over 21,000 in 1990 to almost 50,000.
Over 14,000 validated STG members in GDC system Statistic
A small number of central-office personnel are assigned to investigate, track, and respond to incidents involving more than 14,000 validated STG (security threat group) members in the GDC system.
14,000 validated STG members
142 homicides in GDC prisons from 2018-2023 Statistic
Over the six-year period from 2018 through 2023, GDC reported a total of 142 homicides in its prisons, with 48 in the first three years and a 95.8% increase in the latter three years, with 94 homicides.
142 homicides
Gang war erupted at multiple prisons September-October 2022 Case detail
In September 2022, following the homicide at Phillips State Prison of a young Bloods member, a gang war erupted at multiple GDC prisons. With Bloods attacking Crips in the several days that followed, twenty incarcerated people were hospitalized foll…
95.8% increase in homicides from first to second three-year period Statistic
GDC reported 48 homicides from 2018-2020 and 94 homicides from 2021-2023, a 95.8% increase.
95.8%
Smith State Prison gang fight after warden's arrest Feb 2023 Case detail
Hours after the arrest of Smith State Prison's Warden Brian Adams was announced on February 8, 2023, a gang fight broke out in a housing unit at Smith. Nine incarcerated persons were injured from stabbing wounds, six requiring hospitalization, with …
Record 35 homicides in GDC prisons in 2023 Statistic
Although GDC's security staffing saw some modest increases in 2023, with more staff hires than separations for the first time in years, violence remained a constant, with a record 35 homicides in the prisons by GDC's own reported numbers.
35 homicides
Ware State Prison gang melee February 2022 Case detail
In early February 2022, after a Bloods gang member was stabbed inside a housing unit at Ware State Prison, Bloods members attacked 'Hispanic' gang members on the yard. At least eight gang members were involved; 11 knives were later found. Seven men …
GDC homicide numbers by year 2018-2023 Statistic
According to GDC mortality reports, in 2018 there were 7 homicides systemwide; in 2019, 13 homicides; in 2020, 28 homicides; in 2021, 28 homicides; in 2022, 31 homicides; and in 2023, 35 homicides.
Macon State Prison gang attack and stabbing death March 2023 Case detail
In March 2023, four Bloods gang members at Macon State Prison moved past an officer onto the yard, ran to the kitchen and stabbed an incarcerated person working there. The victim later died. Adjacent housing unit incarcerated persons began obtaining…
18 confirmed or suspected homicides in first five months of 2024 Statistic
In the first five months of 2024, there were 18 confirmed or suspected homicides in GDC custody, based on GDC's reported homicide totals and other documentation.
18 confirmed or suspected homicides
Dooly State Prison gang fight June 2022 Case detail
On a morning in mid-June 2022, a large gang fight between Gangster Disciples and Bloods erupted at Dooly State Prison, involving gang members from multiple housing units. Four windows were broken and seven incarcerated people were transported to out…
Georgia homicide rate triple national average in 2019 Statistic
The national average homicide rate in state prisons across the country for 2019 was 12 per 100,000 people. Georgia's rate in 2019 was almost triple, at 34 per 100,000 people, and the numbers of homicides have increased precipitously since then.
34 homicides per 100,000 people vs. national average per 100,000
Dooly State Prison STG sergeant position vacant for three months Case detail
On June 23, 2023, a gang fight broke out at Dooly State Prison. Around the same time, the STG sergeant's position had been vacant for three months.
From 2011-2018 homicides never exceeded nine annually Statistic
From 2011 through 2018, the number of homicides systemwide in GDC prisons never exceeded nine deaths annually.
9 maximum annual homicides (2011-2018)
Less than 10% of fights forwarded to OPS for investigation Statistic
According to GDC's incident report records from 22 GDC prisons, less than 10% of fights from January 2022 to April 2023 were forwarded by the facility to OPS for investigation.
10%
DOJ identified additional homicides not in GDC totals Data gap
DOJ identified multiple additional homicide deaths that GDC's reported homicide totals fail to reflect.
Less than 23% of inmate-on-inmate assaults forwarded for investigation Statistic
According to GDC's incident report records from 22 GDC prisons, less than 23% of inmate-on-inmate assaults from January 2022 to April 2023 were forwarded by the facility to OPS for investigation.
23%
Five homicides at four prisons in December 2023 Case detail
In December 2023, GDC experienced five homicides at four different prisons (Central State Prison, Macon State Prison, Coastal State Prison, Telfair State Prison), along with serious incidents at other facilities.
Less than 12% of serious injury incidents forwarded for investigation Statistic
Even for incidents involving a serious injury, less than 12% were forwarded by GDC facilities for OPS investigation from January 2022 to April 2023 across 22 GDC prisons.
12%
Central State Prison stabbing death December 8-18, 2023 Case detail
On December 8, 2023, a man in his 20s was stabbed in the barber shop at Central State Prison, in Bibb County. He received treatment at an outside hospital, returned to the prison, and died after going into cardiac arrest 'secondary to stabbing' on D…
Less than 6% of weapon incidents forwarded for investigation Statistic
Of incidents involving a weapon from January 2022 to April 2023 across 22 GDC prisons, less than 6% were forwarded by the facility for OPS investigation.
6%
Central State Prison second stabbing death December 17, 2023 Case detail
On December 17, 2023, another man, also in his 20s, was stabbed to death at Central State Prison; three other incarcerated people were criminally charged in early January 2024 for their roles in his death.
GDC mortality data undercounts homicides by classifying them as unknown Data gap
GDC's mortality data categorizes many deaths that obviously were homicides as having an unknown reason or unknown verified cause of death. GDC reported in its June 2024 mortality data that for the first five months of 2024, there were 6 homicides, e…
Macon State Prison cellmate altercation death December 10, 2023 Case detail
On December 10, 2023, an incarcerated person died after an altercation with his cellmate at Macon State Prison.
6 reported vs 18 suspected homicides in first 5 months of 2024 Statistic
GDC reported in its June 2024 mortality data that for the first five months of 2024, there were 6 homicides, even though at least 18 deaths were categorized as homicides in GDC incident reports and GDC assured DOJ these suspected homicides were unde…
6 officially reported homicides vs. suspected homicides per incident reports
Coastal State Prison altercation death December 13, 2023 Case detail
On December 13, 2023, an incarcerated person at Coastal State Prison, in Chatham County, died after an altercation with other incarcerated persons; he was due to be released in 2024.
Seven 2022 deaths reclassified as homicides only in 2024 Statistic
DOJ identified seven deaths from 2022 that GDC categorized as undetermined or natural until eventually categorizing them as homicides in 2024, although other official records made clear much earlier that the deaths were homicides.
7 reclassified deaths
Telfair State Prison altercation death December 22, 2023 Case detail
On December 22, 2023, an incarcerated person at Telfair State Prison died after an altercation with another incarcerated person.
1,481 grievance appeals in six months of 2023, ~480 rejected procedurally Statistic
In a period of approximately six months in 2023, GDC documented 1,481 grievance appeals, approximately 480 of which were rejected for failure to follow procedural requirements for filing grievances, such as timeliness, raising multiple issues in a s…
1,481 grievance appeals vs. rejected for procedural reasons
Phillips State Prison stabbing and fire December 2023 Case detail
On December 17, 2023, an incarcerated person at Phillips State Prison whom DOJ had interviewed earlier in 2023 required hospitalization for six or more stab wounds. The same day, video circulated on social media of a fire set by incarcerated persons…
Counselor staffing rates at 50% or lower at several prisons Finding
In a review of data from 16 GDC prisons from January 2022 to August 2023, DOJ found that most prisons reviewed failed to fully staff allotted counselor positions, and several had counselor staffing rates in the 50% range or lower.
Smith State Prison death and assault April 2023 Case detail
On April 5, 2023, an incarcerated man at Smith State Prison was discovered dead, possibly strangled to death by his roommate in a segregated housing unit. The local coroner noted the body was badly decomposed and the man likely had been dead for ove…
NGA classification tool validation status unclear Data gap
GDC personnel claimed that the Next Generation Assessment (NGA) classification tool has been validated, although GDC did not provide a specific date or year of validation. The last validation was at least a few years ago, and it is unclear whether G…
GDCP mass assault January 6, 2023 Case detail
On January 6, 2023, a Lieutenant at GDCP responded to a housing unit where two wounded incarcerated people were found. One appeared to have broken an ankle jumping from the upper-level walkway to escape assault; another had a jaw laceration. Six oth…
GDC segregation policy: max 30 days disciplinary segregation Policy
Under GDC policy, no incarcerated person can be placed in disciplinary segregation for more than thirty days.
Hancock State Prison LGBTI homicide May 2022 Case detail
On May 22, 2022, an incarcerated person who identified as LGBTI was beaten and stabbed to death by multiple gang members inside a dorm at Hancock State Prison. The victim tried to escape by jumping through stair railings, where attackers circled and…
Segregation lapses in at least nine prisons per 2023 audits Finding
GDC's 2023 internal audits found severe lapses in staff and supervisor rounds in segregation units in at least nine prisons. At one medium-security men's prison, the audit found long gaps between checks and some days with no checks at all, and noted…
Georgia State Prison abuse case - 'Shameful' Case detail
In October 2020, at Georgia State Prison, an incarcerated man was taken to hospital for a cut to his forehead and dark ligature marks around his neck after his bunkmate tried to kill him. Less than five months later, an ambulance returned for the sa…
Incarcerated people held in shower cages for up to a week at Rogers Finding
At Rogers State Prison, incarcerated individuals described being held in kiosks and shower cages for up to a week when segregation cells were unavailable. Some individuals described having to defecate and urinate in the cages. One incarcerated perso…
EMS provider quote on Georgia State Prison abuse Quote
The emergency services provider wrote: 'This patient is scared. His body is wasting away and covered in signs of abuse. How this has not been noticed by prison staff and tended to before now is shameful.'
Ware State Prison sexual assault victim held in segregation for 9 months Case detail
An incarcerated individual at Ware who was sexually assaulted stayed in segregation for a month after reporting the assault. He was moved back into a housing unit but experienced gang member problems, then was placed in administrative segregation fo…
Over 1,400 reported violence incidents Jan 2022-Apr 2023 Statistic
From January 2022 through April 2023, there were more than 1,400 reported incidents of violence, including fights, assaults, hostage incidents, and homicides, across the close-security prisons and most of the medium-security prisons. Of these, 19.7%…
1,400 reported violence incidents (minimum)
Assault victim held naked in suicide cell at Hays Case detail
An incarcerated individual was placed in a suicide-watch cell at Hays after he was assaulted, suffering a cut to his eye. All his property had been stolen. He was held naked in the suicide cell with no mattress or blanket. After continuously beating…
19.7% of violence incidents involved a weapon Statistic
Of over 1,400 reported violence incidents from January 2022 through April 2023, 19.7% involved a weapon.
19.7%
Gang control dictates housing, meals, showers, jobs, and unit operations Finding
DOJ found that gangs have unacceptable levels of control over large sections of Georgia's prison system. Inadequate policies and programs have allowed gangs to dictate where individuals live, who eats, who showers, who gets a job, and how units oper…
45.1% of violence incidents resulted in serious injury Statistic
Of over 1,400 reported violence incidents from January 2022 through April 2023, 45.1% resulted in serious injury.
45.1%
Incident miscoding systematically underreports violence Finding
DOJ identified numerous instances at multiple prisons where staff completed incident reports for violent incidents with narratives clearly describing an assault or fight, but the incident report did not code the incident as an assault or fight. Inst…
30.5% of violence incidents resulted in offsite medical treatment Statistic
Of over 1,400 reported violence incidents from January 2022 through April 2023, 30.5% resulted in offsite medical treatment.
30.5%
Coastal State Prison assault failure and subsequent cellmate homicide at GDCP Case detail
In March 2020, an assault at Coastal State Prison was forwarded to OPS for investigation, but no records indicated such investigation took place. The same assailant reentered the prison system in 2022 and strangled his cellmate to death at GDCP. The…
Violence consistently underreported in GDC prisons Data gap
Violent incidents are consistently underreported due to a lack of staff supervision and other factors, causing some incidents never to be reported at all. Violent incidents are often mischaracterized using inappropriate incident-type categories, res…
OPS communication breakdown with Facilities Division Finding
The OPS director cited a 'communication breakdown' between OPS and the Facilities Division prior to his tenure, and explained that he believed more information should be shared on a regular basis. Facility wardens and officials explained they do not…
Macon State Prison had 8 homicides in 2020 Statistic
In 2020, eight homicides occurred at Macon State Prison, more than any other Georgia prison that year.
8 homicides
GDC does not have centralized policies for facility-level investigations Policy
GDC informed DOJ that there are no centralized policies or procedures governing facility-level investigations or incident reviews. The lack of such policies may explain why GDC staff interviewed were confused about these topics.
Phillips State Prison had most homicides in 2022 with 5 Statistic
In 2022, Phillips State Prison had the most homicides of any GDC prison, with five; there were four homicides at Macon State Prison that year.
5 homicides
Calhoun County Sheriff arrested 20 people in one week for contraband Case detail
In June 2021, the Calhoun County Sheriff's Department arrested 20 people in one week for trying to introduce contraband, including cellphones and methamphetamines, into Calhoun State Prison.
Seven incarcerated people and one CO killed at Smith State Prison in 2023 Statistic
In 2023, seven incarcerated people and one CO were killed in homicides at Smith State Prison.
8 homicides (7 incarcerated + 1 CO)
Former Calhoun officer sentenced to 5 years for smuggling Case detail
In September 2022, a former Calhoun correctional officer received a five-year federal prison sentence for attempting to smuggle two pounds of methamphetamine and eight cellphones into Calhoun State Prison.
Contraband gun murder-suicide at Smith State Prison June 2024 Case detail
In June 2024, an incarcerated person at Smith State Prison used a contraband gun to kill a food-service worker and then take his own life.
Employee background check deficiencies Finding
DOJ identified problems with employee background-check and screening processes in GDC employee personnel files. Concerns about criminal histories, financial problems, and possibly gang-affiliated associates were identified in the background-check pr…
Telfair State Prison warden stabbed March 2024 Case detail
In March 2024, the Warden of Telfair State Prison was stabbed by an incarcerated person during a disturbance that arose after a shakedown.
GDC fails to conduct required window and door security checks Finding
Several 2023 GDC facility audits found that GDC fails to perform required checks of windows and doors to ensure they have not been cut or modified. Several facility audits also found GDC fails to maintain accurate key and tool inventories and to doc…
Major riot at Ware State Prison in 2020 Case detail
In 2020, there was a major riot at Ware State Prison in which incarcerated persons obtained facility keys, let scores of other incarcerated persons out of housing units including restrictive housing, held officers hostage and stabbed officers, set f…
GDC does not provide effective gang renouncement off-ramp Policy
GDC does not provide an effective off-ramp for incarcerated people to renounce or disavow STG membership, which effectively encourages STG members to remain affiliated for protection and other benefits.
Proportion of men's population incarcerated for violent crimes increased modestly Statistic
The proportion of the men's prison population incarcerated for violent crimes (not including sex offenders) increased from approximately 51% in 2016 to 56% in 2023, a modest increase that does not explain the dramatic rise in violence in the prisons.
56% vs. percent in 2016
Governor Kemp announces GDC assessment with consultants June 2024 Policy
The State announced it retained high-profile consultants to conduct a comprehensive one-year assessment of GDC to 'identify current strengths, opportunities, and recommendations to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness' and to 'begin impl…
635 sexual abuse allegations reported in 2022 Statistic
GDC reported 635 sexual-abuse allegations in 2022 (the most recent year for which a systemwide PREA report is available).
635 sexual abuse allegations
CRIPA 49-day deadline for State response before potential lawsuit Legal fact
DOJ advised that 49 days after issuance of the findings letter, the Attorney General may initiate a lawsuit pursuant to CRIPA to correct deficiencies if State officials have not satisfactorily addressed concerns. The Attorney General may also move t…
Sexual abuse allegations by year 2019-2022 Statistic
GDC reported 635 sexual-abuse allegations in 2022, 639 in 2021, 702 in 2020, and 653 in 2019. These numbers likely fail to capture the full scope of harm.
DOJ recommends 82 minimum remedial measures Policy
The DOJ Findings Report includes 82 minimum remedial measures organized into short-term/immediate measures and long-term measures covering: strategic assessment, staffing and supervision, incident response/reporting/investigations, classification an…
GDC houses transgender women with men based on external genitalia Policy
Instead of making individualized assessments, GDC houses transgender women with men based on their external genitalia despite the risk this poses to their safety.
DOJ recommends 90% CO staffing target (10% max vacancy) Policy
DOJ recommends that GDC properly screen, hire, and fully train sufficient correctional officers to staff all mandatory posts and bring all GDC facilities within 90% of currently allotted posts (i.e., 10% or lower CO vacancy rate).
Sexual abuse investigation of gay man deemed unsubstantiated despite evidence Case detail
In May 2022, a gay man reported his cellmate sexually assaulted him. The cellmate was part of a gang that ordered the cellmate to get the man out of his cell because he was openly gay. The cellmate injured the man with a shank, tied him up, and rape…
DOJ recommends 90-day video retention and 72-hour equipment replacement Policy
DOJ recommends that all video footage should be retained for 90 days unless an incident occurs, in which case it should be preserved until fully investigated and prosecuted or dismissed. Any out-of-service video equipment should be replaced within 7…
Transgender woman coerced for oral sex through chow port Case detail
In March 2021, a transgender woman alleged that an incarcerated man in the protective custody unit ordered her to provide oral sex through the chow port in her cell door to receive a meal tray. The man denied sexual contact but admitted to taking dr…
GDC disclosing less to public about prison conditions Finding
In the midst of its awareness of pervasive violence problems, GDC has been disclosing less to the public about conditions and harm in the prisons, providing more minimal updates and generally only high-level information to the press regarding inquir…
Hundreds of GDC officers arrested in past six years Statistic
In the past six years, hundreds of GDC officers have been arrested on criminal charges arising out of acts committed in or in relation to the prisons, including acts with victims outside of the prisons. The vast majority were contraband-related arre…
Gangs use illicit prison funds to corrupt officials Finding
Gangs use funds from illicit prison activities to corrupt officials and further their illegal enterprises. Incarcerated persons reported that practically all gang members 'have to' own weapons, sometimes multiple weapons.
Smith State Prison Warden Brian Adams arrested on RICO charges Case detail
In February 2023, the Warden of Smith State Prison, Brian Adams, was arrested on Georgia RICO charges for his alleged involvement in an extensive drug-smuggling conspiracy led by a person incarcerated at Smith. The same incarcerated man allegedly di…
Baldwin State Prison assault victim housed with same gang in segregation Case detail
At Baldwin State Prison, a person was assaulted in his housing unit by members of the Gangster Disciples gang with a lock in a sock. Following the assault, the victim was placed in segregation in a cell with an individual from the same gang that had…
Thomas White guilty plea for directing drive-by shooting from prison Case detail
In September 2023, Thomas White, a person incarcerated by GDC, pleaded guilty to multiple criminal counts related to his involvement in a drive-by shooting near a Marietta, Georgia, apartment complex and Home Depot in 2021. Mr. White allegedly used …
Calhoun segregation homicide: 7-foot assailant requested victim's cell Case detail
At Calhoun State Prison, an individual was killed by his cellmate in segregation. An officer had previously reported the two men should not have been in the same cell because of both men's STG status and because the assailant was significantly bigge…
23-person federal indictment for gang crimes from inside GDC prisons Case detail
In November 2023, 23 individuals, including several incarcerated at six different GDC prisons, were charged in a sweeping federal indictment stemming from gang-related crimes committed from inside and outside GDC prisons, including stabbings and ass…
Extensive pre-visit repairs at prisons before DOJ site visits Finding
DOJ was told repeatedly by incarcerated people, including those who work maintenance details, and some staff that an enormous amount of repair work was undertaken prior to DOJ's site visits to each prison. Despite these efforts, DOJ experts still ob…
Telfair gang leader sentenced to life for drug trafficking Case detail
In November 2023, a man incarcerated at Telfair State Prison received a federal sentence of life in prison for his leadership role in a massive, gang-related drug trafficking conspiracy; a GDC CO also was sentenced for helping to move contraband int…
GDC rolling lock hardening project insufficient Finding
GDC acknowledged problems maintaining secure door locks and informed DOJ during site inspections that various housing units were temporarily closed due to a rolling 'lock hardening project.' GDC leadership also informed of lock upgrades underway. Ho…
District Attorneys report increasing violent crimes originating in prisons Finding
District Attorneys from around the state told DOJ that the proportion of violent crimes originating in the prisons, including homicides, has increased in recent years, straining prosecutorial resources.
DOJ investigation launched in 2016, expanded in 2021 Methodology note
In 2016, DOJ launched a statewide investigation into whether GDC adequately protects incarcerated persons who are LGBTI from sexual abuse by staff and other incarcerated persons. In 2021, DOJ expanded the investigation to include protection of all i…
DOJ visited 17 GDC prisons in 2022-2023 Methodology note
Between 2022 and 2023, DOJ visited 17 GDC prisons – about half of the state prisons – representing geographically and demographically diverse areas throughout the state. DOJ conducted hundreds of private, one-on-one interviews with incarcerated pers…
GDC refused document production until subpoena enforcement Finding
GDC refused to produce most requested materials until mid-2023, after DOJ issued an administrative subpoena and sought and obtained court enforcement of the subpoena. GDC also severely limited DOJ's access to prison facilities and staff interviews u…
GDC ultimately produced over 19,000 records Methodology note
Although GDC ultimately produced over 19,000 records, the process of obtaining records and information from GDC was unnecessarily contentious and lengthy.
DOJ received over 1,000 letters and communications from incarcerated people and families Methodology note
DOJ received more than one thousand letters, emails, and other communications from people who are currently incarcerated in Georgia prisons, as well as their loved ones and grassroots advocates.
CO vacancy rate trajectory: 11% in 2014 to over 50% by 2021 Trend
From 2014 to 2018, GDC's annual average CO vacancy rate climbed from almost 11% to over 18%. Between 2018 and 2023, staffing levels fell precipitously, reaching a systemwide CO vacancy rate of 60% in April 2023, with over 2,800 vacant officer positi…
GDC average CO vacancy rate 49.3% in 2021, 56.3% in 2022, 52.5% in 2023 Statistic
GDC's average CO vacancy rate was 49.3% in 2021, 56.3% in 2022, and 52.5% in 2023.
Over 2,800 unfilled CO positions as of end of 2023 Statistic
As of the end of 2023, GDC still had over 2,800 unfilled CO positions, despite claims of hiring more security staff than they lost.
2,800 unfilled CO positions
18 prisons had CO vacancy rates over 60% in December 2023 Statistic
In December 2023, 18 GDC prisons had CO vacancy rates over 60%, and 10 of those were over 70%.
18 prisons with over 60% CO vacancy rate vs. prisons with over 70% CO vacancy rate
20 prisons had CO vacancy over 60% in April 2023, 12 over 70% Statistic
In April 2023, the CO vacancy rate was over 60% at 20 medium- and close-security prisons; twelve of these prisons had vacancy rates above 70%.
20 prisons with over 60% CO vacancy rate vs. prisons with over 70% vacancy rate
11 prisons had 100+ vacant CO positions each in December 2023 Statistic
In December 2023, at eleven close- and medium-security GDC prisons, 100 or more officer positions per facility remained vacant.
11 prisons with 100+ CO vacancies each
Over 15 state prisons saw net loss in filled CO positions Oct 2022-Dec 2023 Statistic
Between October 2022 and the end of 2023, more than 15 state prisons housing individuals at the medium- and close-security levels saw a net loss in filled CO positions, while several others saw increases only in the single digits.
15 prisons with net loss in COs (minimum)
CO starting salaries $40,000-$44,000 per year Statistic
Following a recent salary increase, COs currently make starting salaries in the $40,000 – $44,000 per year range, depending on the security level of the facility at which they work.
$40,000 vs. dollars starting salary (high end)
GDC HR Director acknowledges salary lag Quote
GDC's Human Resources Director acknowledged that GDC still 'lag[s] behind in the salary market,' so pay remains 'a factor.'
GDC consulting contract to become 'certified as great place to work by 2027' Policy
GDC officials said they hope that a relatively new contract with a consulting firm to help GDC become 'certified as a great place to work by 2027' will increase officer retention through staff training and workshops.
Officers assigned to supervise multiple buildings of hundreds of beds each Finding
Staff at several GDC prisons have adopted a practice of assigning one CO to single-handedly supervise two buildings at a time, each comprising two or more housing units and hundreds of incarcerated people, for an entire 12-hour shift.
One officer responsible for nearly 400 beds at close-security prison Finding
At a large close-security men's prison known for gang problems and violence, staffing rosters from mid-2023 confirmed there was at least one, and sometimes up to four, officers assigned to two buildings at a time; each officer was single-handedly re…
Officers required to switch posts every 30 minutes leaving units unsupervised Finding
A Regional Director acknowledged that staff assigned to multiple posts are required to switch posts every 30 minutes to check on incarcerated persons in multiple buildings, leaving units and entire buildings unsupervised during those times.
No day with every building covered by at least one officer at medium-security prison Finding
A shift supervisor at a large medium-security men's prison reported that in a given month, there is unlikely to be a single day on which each building in the prison is covered by at least one officer.
Homicide investigation found no staff checks for 12 hours before death Case detail
An investigation of a homicide at a GDC men's prison in 2021 found that no staff checks had been done after 9:20 p.m. the night before the death; the body was found the next morning around 9:00 a.m.
Man killed while handcuffed, officer supervising control center and both sides of housing unit Case detail
In 2022, at a close-security men's prison, an incarcerated man was killed after being assaulted while handcuffed. The investigation found that the officer on duty was single-handedly supervising a control center as well as both sides of the housing …
Stabbing victim stabbed 32 times; officer assigned to three buildings Case detail
On a weekend day shift in August 2023, at a large men's prison, one officer was assigned to three separate buildings. A victim was stabbed 32 times in his back, head, and stomach. The next day, the same officer was again assigned to three buildings.…
Surveillance video in housing units not monitored in real time Finding
At multiple facilities, security and leadership staff reported that surveillance video in the housing units is not monitored in the housing unit control centers or from central control. While the warden generally has access to housing-unit surveilla…
12 of 13 prison audits found failure to document 30-minute cell checks Statistic
In a sampling of internal GDC audits from 2023, in 12 out of 13 prison audits, staff failed to properly document required 30-minute cell checks in segregated housing units, with auditors noting lengthy periods with no documented checks, or evidence …
12 of 13 audited prisons failing cell check documentation
Control centers appeared unmanned at most prisons DOJ visited Finding
In most of the 17 prisons DOJ toured, experts repeatedly noted that control centers in housing units appeared to be unmanned and found little evidence that they were consistently occupied (e.g., officers' personal belongings, computer equipment such…
EMS delayed average 30 minutes waiting for prison gates to open Statistic
One EMS director estimated that EMS teams are delayed an average of 30 minutes during emergency responses to a GDC prison, waiting for security staff to open the three gates necessary to access the prison's medical department.
30 minutes average EMS delay
Four deaths in 2021 with bodies found in rigor mortis Statistic
GDC records on four deaths of incarcerated persons in 2021 describe bodies that were discovered by staff after the onset of rigor mortis, indicating that hours had likely passed since the individual had died.
4 deaths with delayed discovery (rigor mortis)
Pulaski State Prison assault - woman attacked by 10+ people Case detail
In August 2022, staff at Pulaski State Prison received a call from outside the prison advising an incarcerated person was being stabbed. Staff initially reported all was secure. Later, they heard a faint cry for help. An incarcerated woman was found…
Pulaski State Prison sexual assault with hot sauce bottle Case detail
At Pulaski State Prison, in February 2022, an incarcerated woman was transported to the hospital for vaginal bleeding and stomach pain. She alleged her roommate sexually assaulted her with a hot sauce bottle and that she yelled for an officer but no…
Smith State Prison waterboarding and sexual assault May 2020 Case detail
At Smith State Prison, in May 2020, an incarcerated person had been tied up, beaten, and waterboarded by his cellmate. The cellmate also inserted multiple bars of soap into the victim's rectum. The victim suffered multiple contusions to his face and…
Phillips State Prison hostage case - man held and tortured for almost four days Case detail
On August 3, 2020, an officer at Phillips State Prison was conducting rounds when an incarcerated person handed him a note stating that a person in another cell had been held hostage for days. In May 2023, DOJ interviewed the victim who reported bei…
Ware State Prison man died of drug overdose after DOJ interview Case detail
On June 29, 2022, an incarcerated person at Ware State Prison reported to DOJ that he had gone almost a year without a mattress, was blocked from the bathroom, chased with a broom and rock, described PTSD worse than military combat, and said drugs a…
Quote from contraband cellphone video at Ware State Prison Quote
In the contraband cellphone video showing an apparently deceased man draped over an upper-tier railing at Ware State Prison, the individual holding the camera says: 'we have an inmate here that is dead . . . for the past two-and-a-half hours. It's c…
Ware State Prison man blindfolded, tied, beaten, burned during DOJ visit Case detail
On June 27, 2022, the second day of DOJ's site visit to Ware State Prison, an incarcerated person was blindfolded, tied up, beaten, and burned by other incarcerated people. He was diagnosed with first- and second-degree burns. The victim said he rep…
Wilcox State Prison officers allowed incarcerated assailant to drag victim Case detail
Before DOJ visited Wilcox State Prison in June 2023, video showed an incarcerated person assaulting another outdoors while an officer watched. GDC records confirm that multiple officers brought a 'warden's orderly' to the victim's housing unit, and …
Smith State Prison Ramadan breakfast melee March 2023 Case detail
On March 27, 2023, Smith State Prison went into lockdown immediately before a DOJ site inspection due to a fight with weapons following a Ramadan breakfast inside the D-2 dorm. Seven individuals required hospitalization, two by air evacuation. The m…
Coastal State Prison transgender woman died of apparent suicide after DOJ interview Case detail
Shortly after DOJ interviewed several incarcerated people at Coastal State Prison in fall 2022, one of the people interviewed, a transgender woman with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and a history of mental health issues, died of an apparent suicid…
Macon State Prison interviewee later killed at Augusta State Medical Prison Case detail
In late May 2024, an incarcerated man whom DOJ interviewed at Macon State Prison in early 2023 reportedly died by homicide at Augusta State Medical Prison, where he had been transferred. He had been attacked on multiple occasions prior to his death.…
Gangs control housing units and direct where people sleep Finding
Gangs that run housing units often target LGBTI individuals with physical and sexual violence. Gangs control housing units, directing where other incarcerated people sleep and extorting incarcerated people and their families for money. Incarcerated …
Contraband weapons, drugs, and cellphones commonplace across the system Finding
Contraband weapons, illicit drugs, and cellphones are commonplace across the system. In interviews at 16 of the 17 GDC prisons visited, incarcerated people consistently reported that weapons are widespread. A steady stream of contraband cellphone vi…
Walker State Prison notably safer exception with better staffing Finding
Walker State Prison was a notable exception, with fewer incarcerated people reporting they feared for their lives, a much higher proportion of security staff positions filled, more robust programming, and no reported homicides in the past several ye…
Calhoun State Prison dehydration death February 2023 Case detail
In February 2023, an incarcerated person was found dead in his restrictive-housing cell at Calhoun State Prison, leaning against the door and wrapped in mattress padding. The body was stiff; the coroner believed the person had been dead for seven to…
Coroner quote on Calhoun State Prison death Quote
Speaking to emergency dispatch after examining the body at Calhoun State Prison, the coroner said there was 'some shit that ain't right about this inmate.'
Incarcerated people treating their own wounds with toothpaste, coffee grounds, dirt Finding
DOJ interviewed incarcerated people who reported cleaning and dressing their own or others' wounds in unsupervised prison areas, using things like toothpaste, coffee grounds, dirt, and makeshift bandages to dress open wounds; medical records corrobo…
Incarcerated people cut through fencing to reach medical unit Case detail
In August 2023 at a large close-security men's prison, three incarcerated men wheeled another incarcerated person on a cart to the medical unit. The officer noted that the incarcerated people likely exited their housing unit through a fire-exit door…
Georgia State Prison burn victim waited 5+ hours for medical transport Case detail
On December 8, 2020, at Georgia State Prison, an incarcerated person suffered burns to 90% or more of his body. The incident was suspected to have happened around 4-5 p.m. but the person was not brought to the medical unit until around 10:24 p.m. Tr…
Georgia State Prison man tied up and stabbed all night August 2021 Case detail
On August 20, 2021, at Georgia State Prison, an incarcerated person reported that he was hog tied all night, stabbed, and then released in the morning after being tied up for over eight hours. Emergency responders noted indentations on his arms and …
Ware State Prison stabbing - 30 minute delay, no follow-up interview Case detail
On May 23, 2022, at Ware State Prison, an incarcerated person was stabbed multiple times. There was no security staff in the dorm, so other incarcerated people beat on the window to draw attention. It took half an hour for someone to respond. The vi…
Coastal State Prison overdose death with body in rigor mortis June 2022 Case detail
In June 2022, emergency services responded to Coastal State Prison for an unresponsive person. The incarcerated man lay dead on the ground with rigor mortis, 'pale and cool to the touch.' Staff informed responders they found a syringe near his bed. …
Incarcerated persons not reporting violence due to fear and futility Finding
In interviews with DOJ, incarcerated people explained that they do not always report incidents because they do not expect staff to take any action in response. Sexual assaults are not reported either for fear of retaliation from those who assaulted …
Extortion of incarcerated people and their families via contraband cellphones Finding
Incarcerated persons and their loved ones report that other incarcerated people have been assaulted or threatened with violence in efforts to extort money from family or loved ones outside the prisons, and GDC's own homicide investigations have unco…
Average GDC prison over 30 years old and reaching 'end of life' Statistic
The average GDC prison is over 30 years old and reaching 'end of life,' according to a recent public presentation by the Commissioner.
30 years average prison age
Pre-COVID staffing crisis already underway by February 2020 Finding
By February 2020, three close-security men's prisons had CO vacancy rates near or over 50%. In January 2020, GDC hired 146 COs and lost 175; in February 2020, GDC hired 134 COs and lost 131. GDC's severe understaffing predates the pandemic.
Staffing crisis predates by decades Trend
The circumstances within Georgia's prisons did not develop overnight, but rather represent decades of inaction to address a growing and changing incarcerated population, aging infrastructure, and years of declining staffing rates. In the 1980s, Geor…
GDC failed to produce comprehensive staffing analyses Data gap
Other than facility staffing plans, GDC has not produced any staffing analyses that GDC may have conducted. DOJ notes that a comprehensive staffing study and review needs to be conducted as part of any remedy.
Logbooks carried between buildings or called in to central control Finding
Security staff from different facilities reported that in some cases an officer covering two separate buildings carries a logbook from building to building to log during their shift. At another facility, security staff call logbook entries to centra…
Internal audits found widespread documentation and compliance failures Finding
GDC's 2023 facility audits found: supervisors clearing counts despite discrepancies; inaccurate count documentation; delays in submitting incident reports; inaccuracies in contraband control documentation; incomplete visitor records; inconsistent se…
Staffing too low to conduct mandated searches Finding
One officer reported that staff often are unable to conduct the searches mandated by policy.
Commissioner Oliver acknowledged calling and passion important for retention Quote
Commissioner Oliver acknowledged that in addition to compensation, ensuring that the work is a 'calling' and that officers have 'passion' for their jobs are important to retention.
GDC did not allow DOJ to tour spontaneously Methodology note
GDC insisted on setting all of DOJ's site visits several weeks or months in advance, required Special Operations staff to facilitate visits, repeatedly informed DOJ that their group could not split up due to security challenges, and did not permit D…
Farmer v. Brennan standard: state cannot let state of nature take its course Legal fact
The Supreme Court has explained that the State, after incarcerating people and 'having stripped them of virtually every means of self-protection and foreclosed their access to outside aid,' is 'not free to let the state of nature take its course.'
CRIPA legal authority for DOJ investigation Legal fact
Consistent with the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1997 et seq. (CRIPA), the DOJ provides this Report to notify Georgia and GDC of the Department's conclusions, the facts supporting those conclusions, and the minimum rem…
Medical worker denied entry to housing unit due to insufficient security staff after fatal assault Case detail
In mid-2023, an incarcerated man at a large men's prison died after being badly injured in a fight. A supervisory member of the medical staff recounted that a nurse who responded was 'distraught' because medical personnel were not permitted to enter…
Employee morale survey cited safety, staffing, morale as biggest challenges Finding
In employee morale surveys conducted at several facilities in 2023, employees cited as the 'worst' aspects of their jobs or as the 'biggest challenges' facing GDC: 'retaining quality staff,' 'staff morale,' 'work environment,' and the 'safety and se…
Sources
63 cited sources backing this research.
Primary
Legislation
28 C.F.R. § 115.43 – PREA Standards on Protective Custody
Primary
Legal document
Alberti v. Klevenhagen, 790 F.2d 1220 (5th Cir. 1986)
Secondary
Journalism
Secondary
Journalism
Primary
Legal document
Bearchild v. Cobban, 947 F.3d 1130 (9th Cir. 2020)
Primary
Legal document
Bowen v. Warden Baldwin State Prison, 826 F.3d 1312 (11th Cir. 2016)
Primary
Legal document
Braggs v. Dunn, 257 F. Supp. 3d 1171 (M.D. Ala. 2017)
Primary
Official report
Bureau of Justice Statistics national prison homicide rate data
Primary
Official report
Bureau of Justice Statistics Report on National Homicide Rates in State Prisons (2019)
Primary
Legal document
Caldwell v. Warden, FCI Talladega, 748 F.3d 1090 (11th Cir. 2014)
Primary
Legislation
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA)
Primary
Press release
Primary
Legal document
Crawford v. Cuomo, 796 F.3d 252 (2d Cir. 2015)
Primary
Legal document
Dickinson v. Cochran, 833 F. App'x 268 (11th Cir. 2020)
Primary
Official report
DOJ CRIPA Findings Report on Georgia Prisons
Primary
Legal document
DOJ CRIPA Investigation Findings Report on Georgia Prisons
Primary
Official report
DOJ Investigation Findings Report on Georgia Department of Corrections (CRIPA)
Primary
Official report
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Reports and Provider Records
Primary
Legal document
Primary
Press release
Primary
Legal document
Gates v. Collier, 501 F.2d 1291 (5th Cir. 1974)
Primary
Data portal
Primary
Official report
GDC Contraband Recovery Data (November 2021 – August 2023)
Primary
Official report
GDC Employee Morale Surveys (2023)
Primary
Press release
GDC Facebook Post – Contraband Seized at Multiple State Prisons (July 22, 2022)
Primary
Data portal
Primary
Official report
Primary
Official report
GDC Grievance Appeals Data (2023)
Primary
Official report
GDC Incident Reports and Records
Primary
Official report
Primary
Official report
GDC Internal Facility Audits (2023)
Primary
Official report
GDC Mortality Reports / Mortality Data
Primary
Official report
GDC Next Generation Assessment (NGA) Classification Tool
Primary
Official report
GDC Office of Professional Standards (OPS) Investigation Files
Primary
Official report
GDC PREA Annual Reports (2019-2022)
Primary
Official report
GDC SOP 209.06 Administrative Segregation (effective February 19, 2021)
Primary
Official report
GDC Staffing Records and Rosters
Primary
Legal document
Georgia Advoc. Off. v. Jackson, No. 1:19-cv-1634-WMR-JFK (N.D. Ga. 2019)
Primary
Official report
Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Autopsy Records / Office of the Medical Examiner
Primary
Official report
Primary
Press release
Primary
Official report
Governor's Office of Planning and Budget Records
Secondary
Journalism
Secondary
Journalism
Primary
Legal document
LaMarca v. Turner, 995 F.2d 1526 (11th Cir. 1993)
Primary
Legal document
Lane v. Philbin, 835 F.3d 1302 (11th Cir. 2016)
Primary
Official report
Local Coroner Reports
Secondary
Journalism
Primary
Legal document
Marbury v. Warden, 936 F.3d 1227 (11th Cir. 2019)
Secondary
Journalism
Primary
Legal document
Porter v. Clarke, 923 F.3d 348 (4th Cir. 2019)
Primary
Legislation
PREA Standards (National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape)
Primary
Official report
Primary
Legislation
Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
Secondary
Journalism
Primary
Legal document
Q.F. v. Daniel, 768 F. App'x 935 (11th Cir. 2019)
Primary
Legal document
Quintilla v. Bryson, 730 F. App'x 738 (11th Cir. 2018)
Primary
Legal document
Sconiers v. Lockhart, 946 F.3d 1256 (11th Cir. 2020)
Primary
Legal document
Sheley v. Dugger, 833 F.2d 1420 (11th Cir. 1987)
Primary
Official report
State Board of Pardons and Paroles Records
Primary
Legal document
Thomas v. Bryant, 614 F.3d 1288 (11th Cir. 2010)
Primary
Legal document
U.S. Constitution, Eighth Amendment
Primary
Legal document
Van Riper v. Wexford Health Sources, Inc., 67 F. App'x 501 (10th Cir. 2003)
Key Entities
Organizations, people, facilities, and other named entities referenced in this research.
Augusta State Medical Prison
[facility]
Baldwin State Prison
[facility]
Bobby Kicklighter
[person]
Brian Adams
[person]
Calhoun County Sheriff's Department
[organization]
Calhoun State Prison
[facility]
Central State Prison
[facility]
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act
[legislation]
Coastal State Prison
[facility]
Coffee State Prison
[facility]
Dooly State Prison
[facility]
Farmer v. Brennan
[case]
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
[organization]
Georgia Department of Corrections
[organization]
Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison
[facility]
Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council
[organization]
Georgia State Prison
[facility]
Governor Brian Kemp
[person]
Hancock State Prison
[facility]
Hays State Prison
[facility]
Human and Civil Rights Coalition of Georgia
[organization]
Jessica Gerling
[person]
Lee Arrendale State Prison
[facility]
Macon State Prison
[facility]
National Institute of Corrections
[organization]
Next Generation Assessment
[program]
Office of Professional Standards
[organization]
Peace Officer Standards and Training Council
[organization]
Phillips State Prison
[facility]
Prison Rape Elimination Act
[legislation]
Pulaski State Prison
[facility]
Rogers State Prison
[facility]
Smith State Prison
[facility]
State Board of Corrections
[organization]
State Board of Pardons and Paroles
[organization]
Telfair State Prison
[facility]
Thomas White
[person]
Timothy Ward
[person]
Tyrone Oliver
[person]
U.S. Department of Justice
[organization]
Walker State Prison
[facility]
Ware State Prison
[facility]
Wilcox State Prison
[facility]