Commissioner: Gregory C. Dozier

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

Nearly 11,540 items seized

FORSYTH, Ga. –  As part of ongoing efforts to fight contraband from entering our facilities, the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) seized a total of 11,534 contraband items during the third quarter of 2018.

The agency is continuously making improvements to our front-line and technological methods. Our dedication to prevent contraband from entering the walls of our facilities assists with preserving the security and safety of our staff, offenders and the public. 

“Within our facilities, our officers and staff must remain vigilant,” said Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier. “It is not an easy task, but we will continue to fortify our resolve.”

Through the collaboration of our Office of Professional Standards, GDC Tactical Squads and K9 Units, the following items were confiscated between July and September 2018:

  • 1,401 cell phones
  • 520 cell phone chargers
  • 2,721 handmade weapons
  • 10,227.41 grams of marijuana (391 bags/balloons)
  • 55,895.11 grams of tobacco (2,153 bags/balloons)
  • 2419.93 grams of methamphetamine (96 bags/balloons)
  • 6,868.92 ounces of alcohol (96 bottles)
  • 1,519 pills
  • 52 syringes
  • 9 SIM/SD cards  

The GDC also utilized shakedown operations to detect 2,576 items in the third quarter of 2018. A total of 35 shakedowns were completed at 22 of the 33 state prisons.

Third quarter shakedown seizures included:

  • 171 cell phones
  • 84 cell phone chargers
  • 1,016 handmade weapons
  • 393.66 grams of marijuana (41 occurrences)
  • 1,189.91 grams of tobacco (50 occurrences)
  • 227.89 grams of methamphetamine (11 occurrences)
  • 1,915.50 ounces of homemade alcohol (12 occurrences)
  • 1,189 unidentified pills
  • 0 syringes
  • 2 SIM/SD card

About the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 10,500 employees. For more information on the GDC, call 478-992-5247 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.