More than 50 charged following investigation

More than 50 people, including prison officials and inmates, have been charged following a joint investigation by the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Federal indictments have been handed down for four current GDC Correctional Officers, 11 former GDC Correctional Officers, 18 current inmates and 21 civilians. The four officers were terminated on Jan. 21.

“We will not stand for corruption within the walls of our prisons and the imposing threat against the safety of our citizens,” GDC Commissioner Homer Bryson said in a news release. “This is why the continuation of our partnership with the FBI is imperative in combating and exposing these criminal networks.”

GDC and the FBI have been working together for approximately two years in this joint operation, culminating with the Jan. 21 arrests and the exposure of a criminal network inside the walls of Autry State Prison. Autry is a medium-security facility, located in Pelham, Ga., housing approximately 1,700 adult male felons.