ABBEVILLE, Ga. — Authorities reported that nine inmates at a Georgia prison received medical treatment for stab and cut injuries following an outbreak of violence believed to be gang-related.
The incident occurred on Thursday evening at Wilcox State Prison, a medium-security institution located approximately 150 miles south of Atlanta.
Officials confirmed that none of the injuries sustained by the inmates were life-threatening. Four of the injured were released from the hospital and returned to the facility, while an additional five continued to receive care as of Friday.
Fortunately, no prison staff were harmed during the incident.
An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the violence, and the Georgia Department of Corrections has announced that the prison will remain on lockdown until the warden decides otherwise.
The issue of escalating violence and deaths in Georgia’s correctional facilities is set to be addressed by the state Legislature as the session begins on Monday.
In November, the U.S. Department of Justice described conditions in Georgia prisons as “inhumane,” alleging that prison officials have been neglecting their responsibility to protect inmates from rampant violence, which is seen as a violation of the Eighth Amendment’s protections against cruel and unusual punishment.
In response to these troubling conditions, Governor Brian Kemp recently put forth a proposal for significant investment in the prison system, which includes plans for a new facility.
Additionally, Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver has urged state lawmakers to revise the current budget, seeking an allocation of $458 million for the first half of the year, with an increase of $145 million beginning July 1.