GA State Prisons Review To Be Conducted After Worker's Shooting Death

ATLANTA, GA — Gov. Brian Kemp has announced a thorough assessment of the statewide corrections system a day after a Smith State Prison worker was allegedly shot to death by an inmate.

In partnership with the Department of Corrections, Kemp said Monday the initiative is the continuation of a public safety improvement plan that serves the purpose of identifying opportunities to make operations more efficient and effective.

Guidehouse, comprised of The Moss Group and CGL Companies, will be overseeing the assessment.

“Keeping Georgians safe continues to be my top priority. Since I took office in 2019, Georgia has made significant progress in bringing more violent criminals to justice; cracking down on criminal street gangs; investing in our brave law enforcement personnel, including corrections officers; and strengthening penalties on those who seek to threaten our communities," Kemp said in a news release.

"By ensuring our correctional facilities have the funding, technology, infrastructure and operations to fulfill their mission, this comprehensive assessment is the next step in achieving a safer, stronger Georgia for all who call the Peach State home.”

The news comes soon after the GDC said a prison worker Aureon Shavea Grace, 24, was fatally shot by inmate Jaydrekus Hart. The GDC said after killing Grace, Hart turned the gun on himself and died by suicide.

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In March, a Telfair State Prison inmate was accused of assaulting the warden with a homemade weapon. The assault reportedly occurred during a "shakedown to remove contraband" from a dorm. The warden was in recovery after the alleged assault.

In October 2023, Smith State corrections officer Robert Clark, 42, was escorting two inmates from the prison's dining hall when one of them assaulted Clark with a homemade weapon, the GDC said at the time. The second inmate tried to assist Clark but was also assaulted.

Clark, who had been at the prison for less than a year, ultimately died of his injuries.

RELATED: GA Warden Assaulted By Inmate With Homemade Weapon: Reports

“When Governor Kemp appointed me, he gave me the clear mandate to keep Georgians safe by improving our corrections system," GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver said in the release.

"Thanks to our partnership with the General Assembly and other state leaders, we’ve done just that by improving retention levels, removing approximately $7 million worth of contraband from our prisons, shutting down the largest contraband trafficking ring in the country, and more. But we know we have a lot more room to grow, which is why I’m thankful Guidehouse will provide a thorough review of our facilities and policies that will guide the next phase of GDC improvements.”

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The plan is for Guidehouse to visit multiple state prisons, among other tasks, to develop a full assessment of the corrections system. Afterwards, Kemp said Guidehouse will make recommendations.

The GDC is currently overseeing at least 47,000 inmates and is considered to be the largest law-enforcement agency statewide with about 9,000 employees, Kemp said.