Hays State Prison receives key state recognition

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

photo Staff File Photo by Chad McClure/Chattanooga Times Free Press Inmates at Hays State Prison make their way back to their housing area in this file photo.

Hays State Prison has been named facility of the year by the Georgia Department of Corrections.

The prison, located between Trion and Summerville in Chatooga County, scored well on various measures including audits, bed utilization, vacancy rates, and staff turnover rates, according to a department of corrections news release.

Hays State has 410 staff members and about 1,600 prisoners, including those with behavioral problems and mental health issues.

Warden Clayton Tatum accepted the award at a May 29 ceremony at Tift College in Forsyth, Ga. State Rep. Jay Neal, a Republican from LaFayette, Ga., was special guest speaker at the awards ceremony.

Embedded on the right is a press release from the Georgia Department of Corrections.