Justice Department Finds Georgia Prisons in Violation of Eighth Amendment Due to Inhumane Conditions

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The Justice Department has announced that conditions in Georgia’s prisons violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

“Our report exposes the horrific and inhumane conditions within Georgia’s state prison system,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division. “We found long-standing, systemic violations caused by indifference to the safety and security of incarcerated individuals. People are assaulted, stabbed, raped, and even killed, often left to suffer in understaffed facilities. Inmates face maiming and torture, enduring a life of fear, filth, and neglect. These conditions not only harm those incarcerated but also put prison employees and the broader community at risk. The Justice Department is committed to ensuring humane conditions that uphold standards of decency and respect for human dignity.”

The department’s 93-page report is the result of a comprehensive investigation into Georgia’s state-run and private correctional facilities. With nearly 50,000 inmates, Georgia has the fourth-largest prison population in the U.S. The report found that:

- Georgia consistently violates incarcerated individuals’ constitutional rights by failing to protect those in medium- and close-security facilities from widespread physical violence and exposing them to an unreasonable risk of sexual abuse.

- Critical understaffing and systemic failures in areas like housing, contraband control, incident reporting, and investigations contribute to the pervasive violence.

- Gangs have gained control in some prisons, running unlawful operations that harm both inmates and the public.

“People incarcerated by the Georgia Department of Corrections should not be subjected to life-threatening violence or severe deprivation,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia. “Our Constitution demands humane conditions that at least ensure safety. The findings reveal widespread failures to protect inmates, including an alarming increase in deaths. We expect Georgia to recognize the urgency of this crisis and work with the Justice Department to address these systemic issues.”

“These findings should serve as a wake-up call,” added U.S. Attorney Peter Leary for the Middle District of Georgia. “Inmates and staff face unacceptable risks, and this impacts all of our communities. We look forward to collaborating with the state to improve these dangerous conditions, as the Constitution requires.”

“The safety and security of Georgia’s prisons are directly tied to the safety of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg for the Southern District of Georgia. “Long-term mismanagement has allowed criminal networks to thrive, endangering both staff and inmates. We are committed to working with the state to create a safer environment inside and outside the prisons.”

The findings come from the Justice Department’s civil investigation and are separate from any criminal cases, per officials. The investigation was conducted by the Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section, along with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Georgia.

Attributions: Department of Justice