Three inmates were injured in an altercation at Hays State Prison in Trion on Tuesday, October 27, prompting the Georgia Department of Corrections to place more than two dozen correctional facilities across the state on lockdown amid concerns about possible gang retaliation.

In a statement provided to WZQZ News, the Georgia Department of Corrections confirmed that four inmates were involved in an altercation believed to have been gang-related. The incident was contained to two dormitories at Hays State Prison.

According to the department, three inmates were transported to a local hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. All three were treated and subsequently returned to the prison.

No correctional officers or other staff members were injured.

The department said intelligence received following the altercation raised concerns about possible retaliation, prompting officials to implement lockdowns at numerous state correctional facilities.

In addition to Hays State Prison, the affected facilities include Hancock State Prison, Augusta State Medical Prison, Johnson State Prison, Rogers State Prison, Smith State Prison, Macon State Prison, Telfair State Prison, Valdosta State Prison, Phillips State Prison, Baldwin State Prison, Washington State Prison, Autry State Prison, Dooly State Prison, Wilcox State Prison, Calhoun State Prison, Coastal State Prison, Pulaski State Prison and Ware State Prison.

Other affected facilities include the Special Management Unit, Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison, McRae Women’s Facility, Riverbend Correctional Facility, Wheeler Correctional Facility, Coffee Correctional Facility and Jenkins Correctional Facility.

The Department of Corrections said the facilities will remain on lockdown until further notice. Security threat assessments will be conducted periodically as investigations continue.

The department has not disclosed the identities of the inmates involved, the gangs suspected of involvement or the specific intelligence that prompted the widespread security measures.

WZQZ News has also received information concerning possible drone activity at Hays State Prison around the time of the incident. The Department of Corrections did not address that information in its initial response, and WZQZ has not independently confirmed whether a drone was involved.

WZQZ News has submitted additional questions to the department seeking clarification about the reported drone activity, possible gang connections, the extent of the security threat and when normal operations might resume.

The investigation remains ongoing, and WZQZ News will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Source: Georgia Department of Corrections, direct statement provided to WZQZ News concerning the October 27, 2026, incident.