Federal Judge Finds Georgia Prison Officials in Contempt for Violating Solitary Confinement Reform Order

A federal judge has ruled that Georgia prison officials, violation, reforms, judge, says to reform conditions for inmates in solitary confinement at the state's most restrictive holding facility, the Special Management Unit (SMU) of the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison. U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell held the officials in contempt, threatening them with fines and order, judge, officials to ensure compliance with a 2019 settlement agreement.

The judge accused the officials of falsifying documents and routinely placing new arrivals in 'strip cells' with poor conditions. "The plaintiffs presented overwhelming evidence that the defendants have failed to implement the required reforms," Judge Treadwell stated in his ruling. The settlement agreement required the officials to allow prisoners out of their cells for at least four hours each weekday, give them access to educational programming and materials, and keep their cells clean, among other changes.

However, the judge found that inmates remained in their cells for 22-24 hours a day and did not receive the required minimum of two hours per week of classroom time and access to books and tablets. "The violations are longstanding and flagrant," the judge noted, describing the officials, violation as having "no desire or intention to comply" with the agreement.

Why this matters: The ruling highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of prisoners in solitary confinement and the challenges in enforcing reform efforts. It also comes as Georgia's prisons face scrutiny from the U.S. Justice Department, which launched a civil rights probe of the system in 2021.

As a penalty for the violations, the judge imposed a $2,500-a-day fine on the Georgia Department of Corrections until it meets the terms of the agreement. The state department of corrections has declined to comment on the legal matter. The contempt judge, officials, requirements, improve, condition an extension of the court's original injunction, and the long-running federal Department of Justice investigation into civil rights abuses across the entire Georgia prison system is still ongoing.

Key Takeaways

• Federal judge rules Georgia prison officials in violation of solitary confinement reforms
• Judge finds officials falsified documents, placed inmates in poor 'strip cell' conditions
• Judge imposes $2,500-a-day fine on Georgia Dept. of Corrections until reforms implemented
• Ruling highlights ongoing issues with solitary confinement and enforcement of reforms
• Georgia prisons face federal civil rights probe launched in 2021