Georgia Department of Corrections
Brian Owens, Commissioner
Director of Public Affairs
Joan Heath
Contact: Office of Public Affairs (404) 656-9772
STATE OF GEORGIA
For Immediate Release
Four Georgia Prisons on Lockdown
Investigation Continues Into Planned Inmate Protests
Forsyth – On Thursday, December 9, 2010 four Georgia state prisons were placed on lockdown after the Department received information of a pending protest by a small number of inmates. The facilities on lockdown are Hays State Prison in Trion, Macon State Prison in Oglethorpe, Telfair State Prison in Helena and Smith State Prison in Glennville. During the lockdown, inmates are confined to their cells and there is no visitation, telephone calls or commissary visits. Georgia’s 26 other state prisons are operating under normal conditions.
At the direction of the individual wardens, the four prisons remain locked down until the required internal investigation and security assessments are completed. There have been no major incidents or issues reported.
“The Department’s mission of maintaining safe and secure facilities is non-negotiable and will not be jeopardized,” said Commissioner Brian Owens. “The Department will ensure appropriate safety measures are in place before the lockdown is lifted,” added Owens.
The Department of Corrections is the fifth largest prison system in the United States and is responsible for supervising nearly 60,000 state prisoners and over 150,000 probationers. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 13,000 employees.
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