Three Middle Georgia prisons on lock down as state investigates gang violence

FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Eight Georgia prisons are on lock down because of rising tensions between gangs, according to the state Department of Corrections.

Lock down means there is restricted movement within the prison and visitations are cancelled until further notice.

The following prisons are involved in the lock down:

• Autry State Prison
• Calhoun State Prison
• Hancock State Prison
• Macon State Prison
• Smith State Prison
• Telfair State Prison
• Valdosta State Prison
• Ware State Prison

In June, there was a homicide at Calhoun State Prison and a major fight at Smith State Prison that were both gang related, according to a news release from the department.

Department of Corrections officials explained the other prisons listed on lock down also experienced other gang-related and non-gang related incidents which is why the department made the decision to place these prisons on lock down to ensure the safety of the inmates, staff and overall operations.

On June 11, Calhoun State Prison Inmate Joshua Brooks was found unresponsive in his cell.

The Georgia Department of Corrections and GBI worked the homicide investigation together.

An autopsy showed Brooks died of blunt force trauma.

The following people were arrested and charged with murder for the death of inmate Brooks:

1. Inmate Wesley Adams  (gang member)
2. Inmate Undrea Burley (gang member)
3. Inmate Demetrius Smith (gang member)
4. Correctional Officer Shakera Burns

On June 20 at Smith State Prison, multiple fights between several gangs occurred in different locations within the building.

Sixteen inmates were sent out to local hospitals.

Injuries were non-life threatening and all 16 inmates are back at the prison.

Four inmates were treated at the facility for minor injuries.

The Department of Corrections isn’t indicating which gangs were involved because they don’t want to give them notoriety, according to the release.

Department of Corrections officials are advising family and friends to look for updates on the department’s website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

Gwendolyn Hogan with the Department of Corrections’ Office of Public Affairs said “our agency is in the process of reassessing controlled movement within these facilities following this holiday weekend.”

41NBC was asked to contact the Department of Corrections Wednesday afternoon or Thursday for a possible update on the lock down status.