Cell phone video from inside Georgia’s Ware State Prison shows violence, stabbings, and other vicious assaults between inmates over the last 24 hours…without a corrections officer in sight.
Warning – videos within this article contain violence and explicit language. It is not suitable for all audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.
The video leaks come just one week after Commissioner Timothy Ward told Georgia lawmakers his plans for FY 2023. Ward said the Governor was ‘giving him’ $600 million to purchase a new facility and build another additional prison. The videos circulating on social media, however, reinforce that the ongoing violence and staffing shortages are not limited to the facility the state has pledged to close.
Last week, officials announced that Georgia State Prison, the state’s oldest facility, would close its doors. GSP has long jockeyed for first place as one of the most dangerous prisons in the state. News of inmate-on-inmate and inmate-on-correctional officer violence at GSP spreads in abundance. The Georgia Virtue has highlighted both the financial and socioeconomic effects on the Tattnall County community, including how citizens are impacted. And just last month, a corrections officer testified during a court proceeding about how staff shortages impact safety for everyone. The officer said that he, alone, routinely supervises eight dorms across two buildings with upwards of 375 inmates. His accounts of incidents were astounding, particularly as he referred to a murder as one with ‘more than the usual’ amount of blood for a GSP murder.
But the videos coming out of Ware State Prison leave much to be desired for security behind the walls of Georgia correctional facilities.
In one video, an inmate can be seen being hit, punched, and stabbed by another inmate. Other inmates are gathered around and using a cell phone to video. After multiple blows, the assaulted inmate stands up with blood-soaked clothing. He then bangs on the door for assistance from GDC employees. The video, which is two minutes long, does not show staff responding.
https://youtu.be/jFm1OpuHWXM
The Human and Civil Rights Coalition of Georgia posted another altercation between at least two inmates. The two appeared to have makeshift weapons in their hands in a side yard outside.
The organization captioned the video, saying “Timothy Ward. “Nothing to see here.” “Everyone is safe.” “We’re following all the rules.” This is why there was so much talk last week about cell phone jammers. So the general public can’t see the violence and inhumane treatment taking place in these prisons.”
GDC Commentary on Latest Disturbance
As of 6:00 p.m. on February 2, 2022, the Department of Corrections had not commented. Social media accounts detailed recent promotions by the agency and upcoming job fairs. The press release portal was also absent of any information on the ‘disturbance.’
According to unconfirmed reports by family members with loved ones inside Ware SP, at least four people have been stabbed since the uprising. The facility remains on lockdown, for some.
Ware State Prison violence is not new, nor are the ‘disturbances.’ One ‘disturbance’ in 2020 left inmates dead and correctional officers injured. Videos from that incident showed chaos and violence as parts of the prison were engulfed in flames. The acts could easily pass for a ‘riot.’ The Georgia Department of Corrections has never commented on the incident as a whole other than to deem it…’a disturbance.’
Ware State Prison is among the facilities where the bulk of remaining GSP inmates are expected to transfer upon closure of the facility in Tattnall County.
Thank you so much 🙌for two days now, I have been calling trying to get answers about my brother. He is the one that got stabbed and crying out for help smh.. I know they in prison but we are all human. I just want to know exactly how many people has to die before they do something? How many people have to suffer? No mother wants to wake up and find out threw social media that her child has been beating, or even killed. They take the violence off the street only to let them defend snd fight for their life in prison.
Ms. Necy, come join us in THEY HAVE NO VOICE, one of the leading Corrections Advocacy organizations in the State of Georgia. We welcome the US DOJ’s investigation of CRIPA (Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act) violations committed by the GA Department of Corrections. We would also welcome legal cell phones in GA prisons. Cell phone video provides incontrovertible truth of the deprivations, suffering, and misery behind the walls. GDC has already lost that particular battle. Are cell phones used for identity theft and other crimes by criminals? Yes, whether inside or outside the prisons. GDC wants NO OVERSIGHT, because they cannot stand up to any measure of transparency. Luckily for GDC, Governor Brian Kemp provides cover for those 10,000 members of the largest state agency to do their dirt. “NOTHING TO SEE HERE.” Move along.
Hello, is there anyway we can get in contact? I’m with Trippy the man who’s laying on the floor. Haven’t heard anything and don’t know if he is OK or not.
It’s ok I’m contact with someone.
Hi my brother is lock up in the department of corrections in Georgia he was assaulted physically and sexually by a prison guard back in 2021 and since the incident the prison system will not inform us on anything regarding to my relatives.
Contact Senator Raphael Warnock’s office. Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center
100 Alabama Street SW, Suite 3R8
Atlanta, GA 30303
(770) 694-7828
It is an election year. We have to give a voice to the voiceless. I have already contacted them about my son who is a 1st time offender and he was sexually assaulted in jail awaiting trial in Troup County, GA.He is in Jackson now and I haven’t heard from him since 01-25-2022. Please pray for him amd all people who are treated less than human in the GDOC.
My son is in ware state prison. This is his 3rd time in prison. 1oyrs straight, then 2yrs, this sentence was 3yrs 1yr and a half in prison 5he other yr and a half in a tc so he could work and have money for a drug rehab at the end. These orders from Judge Ming Lim in cedartown ga. Wright Gammon his $15000 dollar lawyer did not put this stipulation in his paper work. My question:who chooses where inmates are sent?? Do lawyers, sheriff’s,millionair girlfried have any say in placement??in all the time he’s been locked up he’s never got into fights never wrote up for any violence so why was he sent to a high level security prison?? I’ve not seen my son in person but one time since March 2021.im 60yrs old and live on a fixed income. I just found out I have cancer. Who can answer my. Questions.i need to talk to someone I have alot more to say thanks whoever reads this maybe I’ll find out which way to go with tthis.
How can you find out about a loved one haven’t heard from Carlos Santana Smith since June 16 2022 very worried because he had said week or two before had they granted him parole. Then told me what was happening the last time I talk to him