Three inmates were injured in an apparent gang-related altercation at Hays State Prison in Chattooga County on Tuesday, October 27, prompting the Georgia Department of Corrections to place more than two dozen correctional facilities across the state on lockdown.
According to the Georgia Department of Corrections, four inmates were involved in the altercation, which was contained to two dormitories at Hays State Prison in Trion.
Three inmates were transported to a local hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. All three received medical treatment and were later returned to the prison.
No correctional officers or prison staff members were injured during the incident.
Following the altercation, corrections officials received intelligence suggesting the possibility of gang-related retaliation at other facilities across Georgia. As a precaution, the department ordered widespread lockdowns to protect inmates and staff.
In addition to Hays State Prison, facilities placed on lockdown include Hancock, Johnson, Rogers, Smith, Macon, Telfair, Valdosta, Phillips, Baldwin, Washington, Autry, Dooly, Wilcox, Calhoun, Coastal, Pulaski and Ware state prisons, along with Augusta State Medical Prison.
Other affected facilities include the Special Management Unit, Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison, McRae Women’s Facility, Riverbend Correctional Facility, Wheeler Correctional Facility, Coffee Correctional Facility and Jenkins Correctional Facility.
The Georgia Department of Corrections says the affected prisons will remain on lockdown until further notice while officials continue investigating the incident and evaluating potential security threats.
Security assessments will be conducted periodically to determine when normal operations can safely resume.
Authorities have not released the identities of the inmates involved or identified the gangs believed to be connected to the altercation.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no timetable has been announced for lifting the statewide prison lockdowns.