Life Threatening Conditions in Georgia

Representative(s) of ACLU of Georgia Inmates at Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Prison Special Management Unit (SMU) Tier 3 High Max are being subjected to egregious and scandalous conditions which deprive us of rights and, but not limited to, privileges secured and protected by the Constitution and other laws of the United $tates which has caused or could cause suffering and grave harm. We are being exposed to unsanitary conditions such as not having showers cleaned for weeks and being denied and opportunity to clean our own cells out for months at a time. Dormitory floors and sitting areas have dried food, milk and feces that are never properly cleaned. Breakfast meats and dinner patty(s) are very pink or red on the inside.

There are major life threatening security problems such as inmates having seizures in their cells and not being found until trays are served which could be as much as 6 hours later. Officers make no security rounds after they remove the 30 minute check-sheet when they start their 12 hour shift; then they are not seen again. Inmates are being pepper sprayed and at times tazed then left in their cell without medical attention.

We are being denied grievance and when we do get one the Counselor neglects to come back into the dormitory for weeks at a time.

Law Library is only open on Friday and offers no actual access to files which makes it impossible to look up cases and file motions in a timely manner. Getting legal motions and other documentation like a Notary Public Stamp can take up to 20 days. The Law Library limitation and the long time frame on the Notary Public Stamp themselves are violations of Due Process.

I come to you this day asking for your voice to speak out. Your actions can help not only me but the entire collective that is confined to the SMU Tier 3 High Max Program. What steps should we take, and in what order for Correction?