Georgia Prisons On Lockdown Due To Gang Violence

The Georgia Department of Corrections says several prisons are under lockdown because rising tensions between inmate gangs and the death of a prisoner last month.

Three inmates and a corrections officer are charged in the death of Joshua Brooks. He was found unresponsive in his cell at Calhoun State Prison near Albany on June 11.

On June 20, 16 inmates were sent to the hospital after multiple gang fights at Smith State Prison in Southeast Georgia.

“In addition to these cases, the Department has experienced other gang-related as well as non-gang related incidents at Autry, Hancock, Macon, Telfair, Valdosta, and Ware State Prisons,” Department of Corrections spokeswoman Gwendolyn Hogan said in a statement. “Due to this, the Department made the decision to place these prisons on lockdown to ensure the safety of the inmates, staff and overall operations.”

Gang violence and contraband have been major issues in Georgia prisons. Nearly 50 corrections officers were indicted earlier this year for allegedly giving cell phones, cigarettes, and alcohol to inmates. Prisoners have also been charged for ordering murders and running drug rings behind bars.