Contraband in Georgia’s state prisons continues to be an issue and is a safety threat to correctional officers and inmates alike.  Hays State Prison in Trion has had multiple incidents of contraband being smuggled into the facility over the years.  Everything from drugs and weapons to cell phones finds its way behind prison walls, but the Georgia General Assembly has passed a new law that was signed by Governor Brian Kemp this year that is intended to help stem the tide of contraband in Georgia’s correctional facilities.

Earlier this year, a Hays State Prison corrections officer was arrested and charged with attempting to smuggle drugs and cell phones into Hays State Prison in Chattooga County.  Nicholas Matthew Grindle worked at the prison in Trion and was arrested by Georgia Department of Corrections authorities after prison officials found twelve packages wrapped up in black electrical tape inside Grindle’s locker at the prison.

The bill signed by Governor Kemp would put harsher penalties on correctional officers who help smuggle items into prisons.

The bill also deals with the ongoing issue of drones being used in contraband smuggling at state prisons.  Drone sightings over prisons are being reported by corrections officials, with some reports of officers finding phones, marijuana and tobacco products.

Senate Bill 159 sponsored by Senator Randy Robertson, signed by Senators John Albers, Kay Kirkpatrick, and Larry Walker, carried by Representative Steven Sainz, and prioritized by Speaker Jon Burns, increases penalties for providing prohibited items to inmates, with stronger penalties for those who work in the facility and provide contraband and for using an unmanned aircraft to take photos of a place of incarceration with the intention to commit a crime.