Georgia Prison Officials Promoted Security Chief After Inmate Tortured for Three Weeks

FACILITY BREAKDOWN

What GPS Documented (Original Findings)

• Christian Krauch was tortured for three weeks at Macon State Prison in June 2024, suffering injuries requiring amputation of his right hand and leg — Source: GPS original reporting with family confirmation via GoFundMe
• Charles Hudson was promoted from Chief of Security at Macon State Prison to Deputy Warden at Dooly State Prison on August 16, 2024 — Source: GDC Press Release dated August 16, 2024
• Macon State Prison operates at 221% of its original design capacity (1,660+ people in facility designed for 750) — Source: GPS facilities data and Wikipedia reference

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

What DOJ Already Confirmed

• GDC's grossly inadequate staffing leaves incarcerated persons unsupervised and hampers staff's ability to respond to violence — Pages DOJ Findings Report
• Two-thirds of correctional officer positions at Macon State Prison were unfilled as of October 2024 — Pages Referenced from Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting

Source: DOJ Findings Report, October 1, 2024
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-finds-unconstitutional-conditions-georgia-s-state-prisons

RECORDS JOURNALISTS SHOULD REQUEST

Georgia Open Records Act:

1. "Daily Inmate Count Sheets - Macon State Prison"
   Documentation of required 8-times-daily counts that allegedly were not conducted
   Agency: Georgia Department of Corrections
   Date range: June 1-30, 2024
   Expected response: 3-5 business days; fee quote likely for large requests
2. "Incident Reports - Christian Krauch"
   Any incident reports filed regarding the torture of Christian Krauch
   Agency: Georgia Department of Corrections
   Date range: June 1 - July 31, 2024
   Expected response: 3-5 business days
3. "Personnel Records - Charles Hudson"
   Employment history, disciplinary records, and promotion justification
   Agency: Georgia Department of Corrections
   Date range: 2020-2024
   Expected response: May be partially redacted for privacy
4. "Staffing Reports - Macon State Prison"
   Daily staffing levels and vacancy rates
   Agency: Georgia Department of Corrections
   Date range: June 2024
   Expected response: 3-5 business days

Federal FOIA:

1. "DOJ Civil Rights Division correspondence with GDC regarding Macon State Prison"
   Agency: DOJ Civil Rights Division

SOURCES AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW

Families (contact via media@gps.press):

• Patience Franklin, sister of Christian Krauch — Macon State Prison (victim) (N/A - survived)

Incarcerated Witnesses:

• Incarcerated witnesses at Macon State Prison, anonymous, background only
  "Not available - would need secure communication"
  GPS can facilitate secure communication.

Experts:

• Available through GPS, Prison reform organizations — Georgia prison conditions, constitutional violations, medical care standards

OFFICIALS WHO SHOULD BE ASKED FOR COMMENT

* None have been asked for on-record comment by major media outlets.

QUESTIONS GDC HAS NOT ANSWERED

1. Why were required counts not conducted for three weeks while Krauch was hidden under a bunk?
2. What disciplinary action was taken against staff who failed to conduct counts?
3. Why was no press release issued about the torture incident?
4. What investigation was conducted into the incident?
5. Why was the security chief promoted rather than held accountable?

GPS submitted these questions via Unknown on Unknown . Status: No response

STORY ANGLES

Local:

Macon County families affected by prison violence, local law enforcement response to torture case

Policy:

Georgia spending $1.2 billion annually on corrections while operating at 221% capacity with two-thirds staff vacancies

Accountability:

Officials who ignored warnings promoted rather than disciplined, no arrests despite clear evidence of torture

Data:

Request count records, staffing data, and incident reports to verify systemic failures across Georgia prison system

QUOTABLES

"He has absolutely NO money, NO insurance, NO where to live and is unable to work due to all of the trauma that his body went through, as well as PTSD. My brother said that his insides feel like they are falling out."

— Patience Franklin, Christian Krauch's sister

"grossly inadequate staffing leaves incarcerated persons unsupervised and hampers staff's ability to respond to violence"

— Department of Justice findings report

"consistently excelled in each position he has held within the agency"

— GDC press release announcing Hudson's promotion

"not unusual to arrive at the prison after a death and find just five to eight officers staffing the entire facility"

— Macon County coroner (via AJC reporting)

SOURCE DOCUMENTS

• DOJ Findings Report - Investigation of Georgia Prisons (PDF)
  https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-finds-unconstitutional-conditions-georgia-s-state-prisons
• GDC Press Release - Charles Hudson Promotion (PDF)
  http://Available%20through%20GDC%20archives
• Christian Krauch GoFundMe Page (Webpage)
  http://Available%20through%20family%20contact

GPS Full Investigation:
https://gps.press/three-weeks-under-a-bunk-torture-at-macon-state-prison/