GEORGIA — More than two dozen correctional facilities across Georgia remain on lockdown as the Georgia Department of Corrections investigates increased security threat group activity.
State officials say 26 facilities are affected, with the lockdowns remaining in place until further notice while security assessments continue.
“As of the time of this writing, we can confirm that these facilities have been placed on lockdown due to increased Security Threat Group (STG) activity,” the department said in a statement.
The term security threat group is generally used to refer to prison gangs.
The department initially did not identify a specific incident or facility that prompted the lockdowns.
In a subsequent update, GDC said three inmates were injured during an altercation at Hays State Prison that officials believe was gang-related.
The incident was limited to two dormitories at the prison. All three inmates were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries before returning to the facility.
Agents with the GDC Office of Professional Standards are investigating the altercation.
During prison lockdowns, inmate movement is restricted, and some inmates may be required to remain in their cells or housing units. Certain services may also be limited, while outside visitation is suspended.
The Georgia Department of Corrections identified the following facilities as being under lockdown:
- Hays State Prison
- Hancock State Prison
- Special Management Unit
- Augusta State Medical Prison
- Johnson State Prison
- Rogers State Prison
- Smith State Prison
- Macon State Prison
- Telfair State Prison
- Valdosta State Prison
- Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison (GDCP)
- Phillips State Prison
- Baldwin State Prison
- Washington State Prison
- Autry State Prison
- Dooly State Prison
- Wilcox State Prison
- Calhoun State Prison
- Coastal State Prison
- McRae Women’s Facility
- Pulaski State Prison
- Ware State Prison
- Riverbend Correctional Facility
- Wheeler Correctional Facility
- Coffee Correctional Facility
- Jenkins Correctional Facility
The department says the lockdowns will continue as investigations and security assessments remain underway.
This is a developing story. Stay with 95.5 WSB for the latest updates.
WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Graham Carroll contributed to this story.