Officials say a reported, gang-related altercation at Hays State Prison in Trion prompted lockdowns across Georgia amid concerns about possible retaliation.
In a written statement to 98.9 WORD, Georgia Department of Corrections Director of Communications Lori Benoit says four inmates were involved in the altercation on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
The incident was contained to two dorms. Three inmates were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. They were treated and later returned to the prison.
Benoit says the department received intelligence about the incident and placed 26 facilities on lockdown out of an abundance of caution.
The lockdowns will remain in effect until further notice. The department says security threat assessments will be conducted periodically as the investigation continues.
No staff members were injured.
Statement from the Georgia Department of Corrections:
On October 27, an altercation among four inmates occurred at Hays SP. The altercation is believed to have been gang-related and was contained to two dorms. Three offenders were transported to the local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries where they were treated for their injuries and returned to the facility. As intel was received regarding the incident and out of an abundance of caution of retaliation from the altercation, the following facilities were placed on lockdown:
Hays State Prison (SP)
Hancock SP
Special Management Unit
Augusta State Medical Prison
Johnson SP
Rogers SP
Smith SP
Macon SP
Smith SP
Telfair SP
Valdosta SP
Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison
Phillips SP
Baldwin SP
Washington SP
Autry SP
Dooly SP
Wilcox SP
Calhoun SP
Coastal SP
McRae Women's Facility
Pulaski SP
Ware SP
Riverbend Correctional Facility (CF)
Wheeler CF
Coffee CF
Jenkins CF
The facilities will remain on lockdown until further notice, with security threat assessments conducted intermittently as investigations are ongoing.
Additionally, no staff were injured.
