Justice Department finds Georgia is ‘deliberately indifferent’ to unchecked abuses at its prisons

Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department says Georgia’s state prison systems are ‘deliberately indifferent’ to unchecked deadly violence, widespread drug use, extortion and sexual abuse at state lockups. In a stark 93-page report issued Tuesday, the department said legal action is likely in the coming weeks to correct the problems. Multiple allegations of sexual abuse are recounted in the report, including abuse of LGBTQ inmates. Homicide behind bars is also a danger. The report said the number of homicides among prisoners has grown over the years — from seven in 2018 to 35 in 2023.