Two Inmates Die Following Violent Altercations At Hancock State Prison in Georgia

     Two inmates died following violent altercations at Hancock State Prison in Georgia on January 30, 2025, in an incident the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) described as gang-related. Prince Porter, 38, and William Holeman, 34, were killed during the altercation, which also hospitalized a third inmate with injuries. The deaths occurred amid escalating concerns over systemic violence, understaffing, and gang activity in Georgia’s prisons.

• Timeline: The altercation occurred around 1:30 p.m. on January 30, though initial reports surfaced on February 1–3.
• Cause of Death: Holeman showed visible injuries, while Porter’s death was initially attributed to medical causes unrelated to the altercation. Autopsies are pending.
• Gang Involvement: GDC confirmed the incident was gang-related, part of a broader pattern of violence linked to prison gangs.

• William Holeman: Serving 20 years for armed robbery (Coweta County) with a maximum release date of March 2041.
• Prince Porter: Serving 20 years for criminal attempt (DeKalb County) with a maximum release date of August 2030.

Hancock State Prison, which houses over 1,100 inmates, has long faced critical issues:

• Staffing Shortfalls: A 73.5% correctional officer vacancy rate, with only 49 officers on duty at the time of the incident.
• Gang Dominance: The GDC identifies many inmates as gang members, contributing to frequent violence.
• Infrastructure Neglect: Broken cell locks and inadequate supervision have enabled unchecked inmate movement and violence.

     This incident follows a October 2024 U.S. Department of Justice report condemning Georgia’s prisons for unconstitutional conditions, including rampant violence, drug trafficking, and staff corruption. In 2023 alone, 62 homicides were reported in Georgia prisons, with Hancock linked to multiple deaths, including inmate Travon Walthour in October 2024.

State lawmakers have proposed $600 million in funding to address:

• Emergency repairs and infrastructure upgrades.
• Hiring more correctional officers.
• Expanding single-inmate cells to reduce gang-related violence.

     Advocates argue systemic reforms are critical to curbing Georgia’s prison mortality rates, which saw 207 deaths in 2024 alone. The deaths of Porter and Holeman underscore urgent challenges in Georgia’s correctional system, where gang activity, staffing crises, and institutional neglect perpetuate a cycle of violence. While legislative proposals signal recognition of these issues, advocates stress that sustained action is needed to prevent further tragedies