The US Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday issued a critical report detailing alleged rights violations within Georgia’s prison system.

Following an investigation, the DOJ found that conditions in the state’s prisons violate the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects against cruel and unusual punishment. This report draws attention to Georgia’s failure to protect inmates from violence and sexual harm, particularly for vulnerable groups like LGBTQ+ individuals. In light of these findings, the DOJ has called for immediate reforms to address the systemic issues that plague the state’s prison system.

Violence is rife within the state’s penitentiary system, with over 142 homicides between 2018 and 2023. The DOJ noted that the prison system saw 35 homicides in 2023 alone, underscoring a trend of escalating violence. Much of this violence stems from severe understaffing, which leaves many prison units under the de facto control of gangs, according to the report.

The report also places particular emphasis on the treatment of LGBTQ+ inmates, who are at a disproportionately high risk of sexual violence. Transgender women, often housed with male inmates, face heightened risk of assault due to inadequate classification systems. The DOJ found that Georgia’s prisons frequently neglect to offer any meaningful protection for these individuals, in violation of both domestic law and international human rights treaties like the UN Convention Against Torture and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Further compounding these issues is the chronic understaffing within Georgia’s prison facilities, with some prisons operating with staffing vacancy rates exceeding 60%. This severe shortage of correctional officers makes it nearly impossible to manage violence and maintain order. The DOJ’s press release emphasized that this staffing crisis reflects “deliberate indifference” on the part of the GDC. The report points out that the lack of adequate staff not only jeopardizes the safety of inmates but also places correctional officers themselves at risk, creating an overall climate of instability and danger within the prisons.

The DOJ has called for urgent reforms, including measures to increase staffing, improve safety protocols, and protect vulnerable inmates from harm. The DOJ’s report stresses the need for Georgia to address these issues immediately, as failure to do so will only perpetuate the cycle of violence and abuse.