State Prison

This former state prison, built in 1950, was converted into a male state prison in 1978 after being transferred to the Department of Corrections and used as a state prison until closing in 2011. The prison housed 600 medium and minimum security inmates. Most of the prisoners were elderly or disabled who were sentenced to spend their remaining years behind bars. A majority of these inmates were confined to wheelchairs or beds and suffering from health issues.

State Prison
A holding area for inmates inside the state prison.

Inmates with a high-security level were assigned jobs inside the state prison. Low and medium security inmates were assigned to outside work details. Each inmate was allowed one hour of yard time each day. Younger inmates who were able-bodied, several dozen in total; were housed in a separate modular building on the prison grounds. These inmates worked to maintain the prison inside and out, helping with tasks such as changing light bulbs, cleaning floors, and preparing meals in the kitchen.

State Prison
A control room littered with discarded materials.
State Prison
The outdoor recreational courtyard had a basketball court and numerous tables. You can still make out the outline of a chessboard on this table.
State Prison
These bathtubs are unusual for a state prison, however, this particular prison housed geriatric inmates.

In 1963, the hospital built this church with donations. The church was used as the prison chapel after the Department of Corrections took over. The inmates at the state prison were housed in eight dormitories averaging 65 beds per dorm.

State Prison
Hospital beds and wheelchairs were a few of the items left behind after the prison closed.
State Prison
Inmate photos and keys left inside a control room.
State Prison
The prison’s chapel appears untouched even though it has not been used in over a decade.

State Prison

State Prison
The only hallway of segregation cells inside the state prison. The state prison had eight cells for isolation and segregation.
State Prison
A Georgia state flag hangs on the wall inside a control room.

 

 

 

10 comments

  1. I stumbled upon this facility during a visit to see the old “Lunatic Hospital” and would love to learn more about the hospital, prison and especially the nearby cemetery.

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  2. I just explored this building, today. It has grown up a lot since the pictures above were taken. However, according to the security guard that met my friend and me outside the fencing as we were heading back to the car, they are “cracking down” on people trespassing and taking them straight to jail. I guess she like us.

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