Autry State Prison to be Temporarily Vacated

Commissioner: Tyrone Oliver

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

Infrastructure and Security Upgrades Planned

FORSYTH, Ga. –  The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Tyrone Oliver has announced that effective June 1, 2023, Autry State Prison will be temporarily vacated while work is being performed to upgrade the facility’s aging infrastructure systems, including HVAC, plumbing and security functions. The GDC will be investing roughly $11 million into the facility, and the project is expected to be complete in approximately twelve months.

“This project represents a tremendous step toward improvements at the facility and our investment in the surrounding community,” said Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. “We are looking forward to returning staff and offenders back to Autry SP following these much-needed upgrades.”

There are currently 129 staff at Autry SP, some of whom will be temporarily reassigned to the facility closest to their home until upgrades are complete. Reassignment locations are Lee SP, Calhoun SP, Valdosta SP and Bainbridge PSATC. The Warden and a small number of staff will remain at Autry SP to help maintain the facility and oversee the infrastructure projects.

Approximately 800 offenders will be temporarily housed at various other facilities across the state and will also return once the facility reopens. The offender fire team will remain in place to continue assisting the community and maintaining current ISO ratings.

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.