MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: Sherry Mallory /Media Relations
678-651-0914 Direct
404-577-8977 Office
404-577-4593 Fax
gme880@yahoo.com
Visit: www.naacpga.org

The Department of Corrections agreed to the initial demand made by the Georgia State Conference NAACP and Coalition partners in allowing a 6 member fact finding committee to investigate Georgia Prisons involved in the lockdown.

On Friday December 17, 2010, The Georgia State Conference NAACP, NAACP National Delegation, along with local and National supporting organizations’ representatives such as the Concern Coalition to Respect Prisoners’ Rights, SCLC, Southern Center for Human Rights, Concern Black Clergy, GABEO, Coalition for the People’s Agenda, The Nation of Islam and the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, were all present as they attended a meeting with the Department of Corrections to discuss the reports that came from inmates, family members of prisoners and staff.

The sole purpose of the meeting was to focus on four objectives as follows:

1) Request for a fact finding team comprised of coalition members;

2) To end the use of excessive force on inmates;

3) End of retaliation for inmates practicing non-violence and peaceful protesting; and

4) To have a follow up meeting with the DOC Commissioner Brian Owens and newly elect Governor Nathan Deal.

The organizations were joined by Derrick Schofield, Assistant Commissioner and Timothy Ward the Director of Facilities of the Georgia Department of Corrections (DOC) along with other leadership members; as a result of the meeting the first step has been taken by the DOC by agreeing to the initial demand made by the Georgia State Conference NAACP and Coalition partners in allowing a 6 member fact finding committee to investigate Georgia Prisons involved in the lockdown. The prison investigations are those involved in the lockdown due to inmates, staff and family member’s accessibility, health and safety concerns.

Monday December 20, 2010 is the date requested to go into the prisons with Commissioner Brian Owens. For further details or interviews to learn more about the progress contact the Georgia State Conference NAACP Communications Department 404-577-8977 or Sherry Mallory 678-651-0914.

Monday December 20, 2010 is the date requested to go into the prisons with Commissioner Brian Owens. For further details or interviews to learn more about the progress contact the Georgia State Conference NAACP Communications Department 404-577-8977.