Georgia Prison Gang War Kills 100+ in 2024 While State Refuses Proven Solutions

Georgia's prison system recorded over 100 homicides in 2024—nearly triple the previous year—while refusing to implement gang segregation policies that other states have proven reduce violence by more than 50 percent.

Gang violence has killed more than 100 people in Georgia prisons in 2024, including Jimmy Trammell who died 72 hours before his release, yet the Georgia Department of Corrections continues housing rival gang members together despite federal recommendations and proven solutions from other states. The Department of Justice found Georgia's prisons exhibit 'deliberate indifference' to violence, while GPS analysis reveals four medium-security prisons are secretly operating as close-security facilities with homicide rates four to five times higher than properly classified facilities.

Facility Breakdown

What GPS Documented (Original Findings)

• More than 100 homicides in Georgia prisons in 2024 alone (GPS Mortality Database)
• Four medium-security prisons secretly operating as close-security facilities with 27-30% close-security populations (GPS analysis of GDC population data)
• Washington State Prison operated with just five officers to cover 69 posts on January 11, 2026 (GPS investigation 'They Knew')
• Georgia spent $700 million more on corrections between FY 2022 and FY 2026 than in the previous four years (GPS analysis '$700 Million More')

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

What DOJ Already Confirmed

• 142 homicides in Georgia prisons from 2018 to 2023 (Pages DOJ Findings Report)
• Deliberate indifference to violence constituting among the most severe constitutional violations the Civil Rights Division has ever found (Pages DOJ Findings Report)
• Gangs control multiple aspects of day-to-day life including access to phones, showers, food and bed assignment (Pages DOJ Findings Report)
• Recommendation to reevaluate housing and inmate classification process (Pages DOJ Findings Report)

What GDC Concealed

• Stopped reporting causes of death in March 2024 as violence escalated
• Classification fraud – housing close-security inmates in medium-security facilities without proper protocols
• System-wide lockdowns began January 12, 2026, lasting nearly a month

Quotables

“When you put Bloods and GDs in the same dorm, you're not creating a housing arrangement—you're building a bomb.”

— Incarcerated source, Georgia state prison

“Gangs control multiple aspects of day-to-day life in the prisons we investigated, including access to phones, showers, food and bed assignment.”

— Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke

“I just went out so bad. I can't believe I did that shit.”

— Young Crip who killed Jerry Merritt at Augusta State Medical Prison

Story Angles

• Local: Focus on families from specific counties affected by prison violence – Jimmy Trammell's family, Melvin Johnson's family, others with local connections
• Policy: Georgia spending $700 million more on corrections while violence triples – compare cost of gang segregation programs vs. medical bills and lawsuits
• Accountability: Commissioner Tyrone Oliver and GDC leadership ignoring federal recommendations and proven solutions while people die
• Data: Request GDC monthly reports to analyze classification fraud and track actual vs. reported security levels across all facilities

Records Journalists Should Request

Georgia Open Records Act:

1. GDC Monthly Statistical Reports — Georgia Department of Corrections
2. Incident Reports for January 11, 2026 Washington State Prison — Georgia Department of Corrections
3. Staffing Records and Post Assignments — Georgia Department of Corrections
4. Security Threat Group (STG) Classification Records — Georgia Department of Corrections
5. Lockdown Orders and Status Reports — Georgia Department of Corrections

Federal FOIA:

1. DOJ Civil Rights Division correspondence with GDC regarding gang segregation recommendations — DOJ Civil Rights Division

Sources Available for Interview

Families:

• Family of Jimmy Trammell
• Family of Melvin Johnson

Incarcerated Witnesses:

• Incarcerated witness to gang housing policies
• Young Crip who killed Jerry Merritt

Experts:

• Arizona Department of Corrections officials — Involved in NIJ gang segregation study
• Georgia Detention Watch, Southern Center for Human Rights — Georgia advocacy organizations

Officials Who Should Be Asked for Comment

• Tyrone Oliver, Commissioner — Agency head responsible for implementing or refusing gang segregation policies
• Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General — Led DOJ investigation, provided key quotes about gang control
• Brian Adams, Former Warden — Arrested on RICO charges for allegedly accepting payments from gangs

Questions GDC Has Not Answered

1. Why does GDC continue housing rival gang members together despite DOJ recommendations?
2. Why did GDC stop reporting causes of death in March 2024?
3. Why are four medium security prisons operating with close security populations without upgraded protocols?
4. What is GDC's response to the proven success of gang segregation in other states?

Source Documents

• DOJ Findings Report – Investigation of Georgia Prisons — Federal investigation documenting 142 homicides 2018-2023 and gang control of facilities
• National Institute of Justice Gang Segregation Study — Arizona study showing 50%+ reduction in violence through gang segregation
• GPS Mortality Database — Comprehensive tracking of Georgia prison deaths including 100+ homicides in 2024