TIP BRIEF
February 8, 2026
media@gps.press
February 8, 2026
media@gps.press
Georgia Prison Gang War Kills 100+ in 2024 While State Refuses Proven Solutions
THE STORY IN ONE SENTENCE
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
| Facility | Close Security Inmates | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilcox State Prison | 545 | 29.7% | Medium (fraudulent) |
| Calhoun State Prison | 487 | 29.4% | Medium (fraudulent) |
| Dooly State Prison | 455 | 28.6% | Multiple including Darrow Brown |
| Washington State Prison | 418 | 27.7% | 4 (including Jimmy Trammell) |
What GPS Documented (Original Findings)
- More than 100 homicides in Georgia prisons in 2024 alone — Source: GPS Mortality Database
- Four medium-security prisons secretly operating as close-security facilities with 27-30% close-security populations — Source: GPS analysis of GDC population data
- Washington State Prison operated with just five officers to cover 69 posts on January 11, 2026 — Source: GPS investigation 'They Knew'
- Georgia spent $700 million more on corrections between FY 2022 and FY 2026 than in the previous four years — Source: 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
Source: DOJ Findings Report, October 1, 2024
https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/findingsreport-investigationofgeorgiaprisons.pdf
What GDC Concealed
-
Stopped reporting causes of death in March 2024 as violence escalated
How to verify: Compare GDC death reports before and after March 2024 for cause of death information -
Classification fraud - housing close-security inmates in medium-security facilities without proper protocols
How to verify: Request facility security classifications and compare to actual inmate security levels in monthly reports -
System-wide lockdowns began January 12, 2026, lasting nearly a month
How to verify: Request lockdown orders and facility status reports from January-February 2026