Contraband Arrests at Central State Prison

As of July 2010, The GDC Office of Professional Standards, in conjunction with local & federal law enforcement partners, have investigated or arrested approximately 840 staff and civilians for introducing contraband into prisons throughout the state.

On August 7, a K9 officer at Central State Prison observed a Black Ford Taurus riding up and down a road adjacent to the prison. As he drove down the road, he observed two civilians, later identified as Monica Tripp and Jodi Thomas, throw a large yellow envelope in the mobile construction dumpster. The package contained seven phones, seven chargers, five phone batteries, two SIM cards, one pack of rolling papers, and one lighter. Upon questioning, Tripp confessed to purchasing, packaging, transporting, and throwing the bag containing contraband into the dumpster, and Thomas admitted she knew about the purpose of the trip, which was to deliver contraband. Both civilians were turned over to the custody of the Macon-Bibb Sheriffs Office and charged with three felonies: Crossing of Guard line, Trading with Inmates, and Items Prohibited for Possession by Inmates via Warrantless Arrest Affidavit.