These 6 Deadly Prisons Can Only Be Found In Georgia
By Marisa Roman|Updated on February 23, 2024(Originally published November 17, 2022)
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Marisa Roman
Author
A New Jersey native with over 15 years of writing experience, Marisa has studied at both New York University and Florida International University. She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. Marisa is well-versed in exploration as she travels a good majority of the year in her self-converted Sprinter van. Her articles have been featured in various notable publications over the years, she has a published collection of short stories, and three completed screenplays under her belt.
Serving a prison sentence is, of course, meant to be corrective rather than luxurious. But there are certain standards that all prisons are supposed to adhere to, particularly the physical safety of all incarcerated people. And some prisons in Georgia are just downright scary. The worst prisons in Georgia are the types of places that lack the basic human privileges of most, like protection against violence, or even decent meals and exercise facilities. Some of these prisons have conditions that hover around dangerous levels for the people who are incarcerated inside them and should improve their facilities. If you have ever found yourself wondering what the most dangerous prison in Georgia is, read on to find several contenders.
The United States Penitentiary Atlanta notoriously makes the list of the worst prisons in the U.S., year-in and year-out. At around 2,000 inmates, this prison has been known for housing transfers in tiny, cramped 56-square-foot isolation cells for weeks at a time. One of the most infamous events at this prison was the 1987 riot including Cuban detainees who actually set fire to the prison. Guards and prisoners alike both suffered injuries from the riot. Two of the notable inmates at this prison are Michael Vick and Bernard Madoff.
2. Ware State Prison - Waycross
Ware State Prison, 3620 Harris Rd, Waycross, GA 31503, USA
This closed-custody facility primarily houses inmates who have behavioral issues. These issues became most apparent on April 29, 2013, when 29-year-old Atlanta native Detravia Bryant was found dead in his cell. Although the prison ruled the incident a suicide, the family suspects foul play. It sounds like Ware State Prison is one of the worst prisons in Georgia. The death of an inmate is not something that should happen in any facility.
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3. Baldwin State Prison - Hardwick
Baldwin State Prison, 140 Laying Farm Rd, Hardwick, GA 31034, USA
A brutal attack in Baldwin State Prison left one man lucky to be alive. The extra-terrifying thing about that is that it wasn't the first reported incident at this facility. Holding only up to 992 inmates at a time, Baldwin is considered a medium-security prison for men. However, in 1984, when the prison was solely a women's facility, several women sued the prison, accusing employees of sexual abuse. By 1993, the number of women suing the prison rose to almost 200. Even without being a maximum security prison in Georgia, this facility has clearly had some very serious problems.
This main maximum security prison in Georgia houses around 1,500 inmates, some of which are the most dangerous in the entire state. This prison once served as a death row prison, where it's said that the remains of an electric chair can still be found. In the '40s and '50s, volunteers were offered a chance to flip the switches for only $25. This dark history indicates that Georgia State Prison in Reidsville is one of the most dangerous prisons in Georgia.
5. Smith State Prison - Glennville
Smith State Prison, 9676 US-301, Glennville, GA 30427, USA
What's been publicly addressed as one of the worst prisons in Georgia, Smith State Prison has been called out for inhumane treatment, as well as notorious gang violence. In 2011, an inmate was killed without any explanation to the public as to why. The only response to the death from the Department of Corrections spokeswoman was that it wasn't a riot.
6. Hays State Prison - Trion
Hays State Prison, 777 Underwood Dr, Trion, GA 30753, USA
In 2015, a longtime corrections officer was killed in an accident at this state prison. Although it was said that no foul play was involved, this wasn't the only time this facility made headlines. In 2013, two inmates were charged with the murder of another inmate inside the prison. Then later that year, more than 140 cell phones were confiscated as contraband, but not before a video of a terribly violent fight was uploaded online by one of the inmates. It sounds like Hays State Prison is a very dangerous place to be imprisoned and certainly not up to the standards that it needs to be. Serving a sentence is not meant to involve being exposed to violence.
Although prisons may be a necessary evil in society, these facilities should be made safer than they have been in the past and include the basic protections that are required of them. Do you know of any other prisons that just give you the chills? Thinking about doing a tour? Check out the offerings from our friends with Trusted Tours! Have you heard any stories about these or other prisons that you want to contribute? Let us know about them in the comments section.
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