ABOUT THIS INVESTIGATION

This is the latest installment of an Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation into the extensive problems in the Georgia prison system. AJC reporters found that the system is setting grim new records for homicides and suicides. Documents about those deaths and other violence raised troubling questions about how correctional officers responded and whether staffing in the state’s prisons is sufficient to protect employees and prisoners.

This installment is based on staffing documents, incident reports and other information obtained from the Georgia Department of Corrections; documents compiled by the state’s peace officer certification agency; court records; medical examiner findings; and emergency medical service data. Reporters also reviewed dozens of videos recorded by prisoners and interviewed family members and attorneys of inmates who died, former GDC employees, Georgia prosecutors and experts on prison management. The data reporters gathered was provided to the GDC in advance of publication, so it could verify or challenge the findings. The AJC also provided GDC officials with a list of questions and received an emailed statement that did not address all the specific questions the AJC had asked. GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver sat down for an interview with the AJC in July.

The first installment of this investigation, published in September, revealed extensive corruption by Georgia prison employees and its role in triggering violence. In October, the AJC’s second installment revealed how fatal drug overdoses have dramatically increased in Georgia prisons.