Inmate Death Being Investigated as Apparent Suicide

Commissioner: Timothy C. Ward

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) is investigating the death of an inmate at Baldwin State Prison in Hardwick, Ga., as a suspected suicide.

On February 12, at approximately 8:40 a.m., Correctional Officers found inmate David Payne (GDC#1001091264) unresponsive in his cell.  Emergency Medical Services were called and life saving measures were performed.  Payne was pronounced deceased by the Facility Physician at approximately 10:30 a.m.  GDC is conducting an investigation into the death, as standard procedure. 

Payne was sentenced to eighteen years in 2012, in Stephens County for Aggravated Assault.

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.