On Wednesday, Sept. 2, the Butts County Sheriff’s Office intercepted another load of drugs, weapons, and contraband headed to a state prison. Items seized included bags of tobacco, marijuana, ecstasy, hydrocodone and other painkillers, as well as shanks, knives, cellphones and chargers. The driver was arrested and is now facing multiple charges. “In my opinion, the Georgia Department of Corrections has become the largest taxpayer-funded gang recruitment center in the state,” said Butts County Sheriff Gary Long. “Since 2020, more than 1,500 individuals have died while in the custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections, with deaths attributed to violence, inadequate medical care, suicide, and other systemic failures. And, as long as that continues, gangs, violence, drugs, and crime will keep spilling into our communities.” Long said prisoners who commit new crimes while behind bars, complete their sentences and are then transferred to county jails for prosecution. “Our communities are forced to house them, feed them, provide medical care, transport them, and prosecute crimes that occurred while they were under the state's control. That is fundamentally unfair,” said Long. “The bill is handed to local taxpayers.” According to the Georgia Department of Corrections, individuals who bring contraband into a Georgia prison and offenders found with any of these items in their possession while in prison can be sentenced from one to five years in prison. On July 21, a routine…
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