Georgia Department of Corrections

Force in Play

Under federal investigation, proposing reforms

Georgia recorded seven prison homicides in 2018. In 2024, inmates killed 66 of their fellow prisoners—a nearly tenfold increase in six years. On January 12, 2026, a gang-affiliated fight at Washington State Prison left three more dead, including Jimmy Trammell, who was 72 hours from completing his 10-year sentence. Bloodied inmates breached a visitation area while a single officer tried to maintain control at a facility operating with 72% of its correctional officer positions vacant.

Updated Jan 17