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.
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.
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.
Regards for this tremendous post, I am glad I found this internet site on yahoo.
LikeLike
Hi, I check your new stuff on a regular basis. Your story-telling style is awesome, keep doing what you’re doing!
LikeLike
Where is this?
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
Check out my book Abandoned Georgia: Exploring the Peach State. The asylum is covered in detail.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
Could you possibly tell me why these prisons were closed?
LikeLike
These old buildings were not efficient to operate compared to modern prisons and required more staff.
LikeLike
Are these buildings still around and where are the located?
LikeLike