26 state prisons on lockdown due to ‘increased security threat’ after gang fight

GEORGIA — The Georgia Department of Corrections says more than two dozen state prisons have been put on lockdown.

The department said the lockdowns started on Wednesday and the facilities will stay on lockdown until further notice.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

In an update shared with Channel 2’s Mark Winne, GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver said a fight between gang members led to lockdown.

“We can confirm that an altercation among four inmates occurred at Hays SP on October 27th. Three offenders were transported to the local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and have since returned to the facility. The altercation is believed to have been gang-related and was contained to one dorm,” Oliver said.

The department said that agents with the GDC Office of Professional Standards are investigating the incident.

Oliver denied allegations that someone brought a sword into Hays State Prison via a drone.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Cause of death released for 4-year-old found dead during welfare check
• Man will serve multiple life sentences for years of raping child living next door
• Metro Atlanta native drowns trying to rescue seagull

“Out of an abundance of caution, the facilities will remain on lockdown until further notice, with security threat assessments conducted intermittently as investigations are ongoing,” Oliver added.

A second update from GDC said the altercation was believed to have been gang-related and was contained to two dorms in Hays State Prison. Three inmates involved in the incident were taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, then returned to the prison.

The following prisons are on lockdown, as of 8:30 a.m.:

1. Hays State Prison (SP) (in Trion)
2. Hancock SP (in Sparta)
3. The Special Management Unit (in Jackson)
4. Augusta State Medical Prison (in Grovetown)
5. Johnson SP (in Wrightsville)
6. Rogers SP (in Reidsville)
7. Smith SP (in Glennville)
8. Macon SP (in Oglethorpe)
9. Telfair SP (in Helena)
10. Valdosta SP (in Valdosta)
11. GDCP (in Jackson)
12. Phillips SP (in Buford)
13. Baldwin SP (in Hardwick)
14. Washington SP (in Davisboro)
15. Autry SP (in Pelham)
16. Dooly SP (in Unadilla)
17. Wilcox SP (in Abbeville)
18. Calhoun SP (in Morgan)
19. Coastal SP (in Garden City)
20. McRae Women’s Facility (in McRae-Helena)
21. Pulaski SP (in Hawkinsville)
22. Ware SP (in Waycross)
23. Riverbend Correctional Facility (CF)
24. Wheeler CF (in Alamo)
25. Coffee CF (in Nicholls)
26. Jenkins CF (in Millen)

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

©2026 Cox Media Group