Chattooga County Animal Control Director Charlie Long is thanking Hays State Prison and Acting Warden Gabriel Illa for continuing a dog training program that benefits animals from the Chattooga County Animal Shelter.
Nearly six months after a deadly stabbing inside Hays State Prison, a Chattooga County grand jury has indicted two inmates on murder charges in connection with the killing.
The Georgia Department of Corrections is continuing to recruit new employees across the state, including at Hays State Prison in Trion, where several positions are currently available.
Berry College is partnering with the Georgia Department of Corrections to expand access to higher education for incarcerated individuals, with a focus on rehabilitation, personal growth, and successful reentry.
The Georgia Department of Corrections is warning families across the state about two scams involving false demands for money following an arrest or before an inmate’s release from prison.
In the first scam, callers claim to represent a sheriff’s office and contact the families of people who were recently arrested and released from a county jail. The callers falsely say that additional bond money, court costs or other fees must be paid.
The second scam targets families of people currently incarcerated. In those cases, callers claim to work for a sheriff’s office, probation or parole and falsely state that payment is required before the inmate can be released from prison.
State corrections officials believe the calls are being made by inmates using contraband cell phones.
The Georgia Department of Corrections says legitimate law enforcement agencies, probation officers and parole officers do not demand payment over the phone to secure someone’s release. They also do not require payment through gift cards, payment apps, cryptocurrency or other immediate payment methods.
Anyone receiving this type of call should not provide personal or financial information. Hang up and contact the sheriff’s office, probation office, parole office or correctional facility directly using an official phone number.
The Georgia Department of Corrections and communities across Northwest Georgia are mourning the unexpected death of Hays State Prison Warden Joshua Jones, who passed away on July 4, 2026, at the age of 39.
Over the weekend, WZQZ News reported about a Georgia Department of Corrections inmate who was charged in connection with a drug case out of North Carolina. Additional information now shows that the inmate, Rudy Cameron Lee, is housed at Hays State Prison in Chattooga County, and investigators say the case involved a larger drug trafficking and contraband operation.
A major contraband investigation has led to the seizure of nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine and multiple cell phones from a Georgia prison inmate’s cell, according to authorities.
Manufacturing remains the leading employment sector in Chattooga County, continuing its long-standing role as the backbone of the local economy.
Walker State Prison in Rock Spring recently hosted a family open house event designed to give offenders an opportunity to spend meaningful time with their loved ones while also highlighting the programs and services available at the facility. The event gave family members a closer look at the prison’s rehabilitation efforts and its broader mission of encouraging accountability, personal growth, and stronger family ties.