ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – State lawmakers are looking for ways to prioritize health and safety in state-run prisons.
This comes after the U.S. Department of Justice released an investigation that found the current state of Georgia’s prisons is “unconstitutional.”
On Friday, the Department of Corrections Facilities Study Committee met with representatives from the Department of Corrections.
State Sen. Randy Robertson, the head of the committee, told representatives from the Department of Corrections that it was the committee’s responsibility to make sure that they have filled in all of the cracks.
Robertson made it clear they would be talking about goods and services afforded to inmates — everything from toilet paper to inmate health care.
“They should have access to all the resources that the average citizen has when it comes to sanitation, nutrition, and health care,” said Robertson.
This year is on track to become one of the most deadly years inside Georgia’s corrections facilities.
The Department of Justice report listed 17 problematic prisons in a dozen counties where they investigated cases of violence, rape, drug overdoses, exploitation and gang intimidation.
AT A GLANCEKey findings: Justice Department blasts Ga. prison system
Georgia engages in a pattern or practice of violating incarcerated persons’ constitutional rights by failing to protect individuals from widespread physical violence and sexual abuse.Critical understaffing and other systemic deficiencies contribute to the widespread violence.Georgia allows gangs to exert improper influence on prison life, including controlling entire housing units and operating unlawful and dangerous schemes in and from the prisons.Read the full report
The investigation of Georgia’s state-operated prisons found that “the State of Georgia engages in a pattern or practice of violating incarcerated persons’ constitutional rights.”
In a letter, Ossoff and Warnock urging Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver to address the findings.
Matthew Charles testified before the committee. He was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for nonviolent drug offenses. He now works to help families with loved ones in prisons in Georgia. He thinks the state should create a review committee with independent oversight. A body not a part of the agency, but ready to assist them, and get to the bottom of what’s causing the problem.
“When we were in the hearing a few minutes ago, they said that the medical care was not subpar. But it was almost equal to what they themselves were receiving as a private citizen and no, it’s not. It’s the exact opposite of that,” said Charles.
That would cost money. Georgia’s correction system receives $1.3 billion a year.
Robertson said the issue of crumbling infrastructure and looking at ways to attract and keep corrections officers remain top of mind in drafting his recommendations.
“What citizens have to understand, what the taxpayers have to understand, this is a very expensive process because these individuals are being housed and cared for by the state of Georgia, and every taxpayer and every non-taxpayer who lives in Georgia, they’re responsible for that,” said Robertson.
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