NICHOLLS, Ga. (WALB) — [UPDATE: July 7 at 6 p.m.] Below is a statement from CoreCivic.

"Our Coffee facility was not receiving contaminated water. Due to a water main break that occurred within the community, officials issued a ‘boil water advisory’ out of an abundance of caution to nearby residents and businesses. The water supply line was quickly repaired and any impact on our facility was limited to less than one hour. 

We did have one housing unit that was experiencing an issue with the facility HVAC system. Once this issue was identified by our facility maintenance staff, the issue was quickly identified as a ‘tripped breaker’ and fixed immediately. There is one other HVAC issue that is impacting a non-residential building (education). Our HVAC contractor is scheduled to be at the facility tomorrow, July 8, to address this issue.

As previously noted, any time our facilities experience extreme weather, water or other mechanical related issues, we have contingency plans in place to ensure everyone’s safety. We have ice machines in each of our housing units for those in our care. Drinking water is always available. In situations such as those mentioned above, we have bottled water on hand to keep everyone hydrated and we can place fans in the impacted housing units to circulate air. 

We have an open line of communication with our partners at Georgia Department of Corrections when these issues arise."

[UPDATE: July 7 at 1:40 p.m.] The city of Nicholls confirmed that the prison is on the city’s water system and that a main water line break forced the city to shut off water to the facility on Saturday, July 4. The city said a boil water advisory—which it described as standard protocol—was lifted, adding the city’s water is not contaminated. Families said inmates were being given bottled water on Sunday, July 5, and called for better protocols to prevent inmates from being left in poor conditions when situations like this arise.

[ORIGINAL ARTICLE] Families of inmates at the Coffee County Correctional Facility in Nicholls are raising concerns about alleged water contamination, limited water access and air conditioning problems at the facility—conditions they say are especially dangerous during the current stretch of extreme heat—according to multiple anonymous tips to WALB and an interview with one inmate’s mother.

What families are reporting

A woman whose son is incarcerated at the facility said he called her Sunday, July 5, and told her that inmates were informed the water supply was contaminated. She said she did not know how long the water had been allegedly contaminated before inmates were notified.

“He was shocked...almost hysterical,” the mother said.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous to protect her son from potential retaliation, said inmates were given two bottles of water around 4 p.m. and told to make them last until the following day.

“Two bottles of water is not enough for 12 hours—or more than 12 hours,” she said.

She said she feared for her son’s health.

“I’m afraid that he might get sick. I’m afraid he might get dehydrated without enough water,” she said.

Air conditioning problems compound heat concerns

Multiple anonymous tips to WALB described alleged air conditioning problems at the facility in addition to the water contamination. Tips described the alleged combination of broken air conditioning and limited access to safe drinking water as a health hazard, particularly given current outdoor temperatures.

At one tipster wrote that the situation created “a bad situation for the inmates—health and otherwise,” adding that “contaminated water and no A.C. with extreme heat creates a health hazard.”

Tips also raised questions about whether inmates had access to showers while the alleged water issue remained unresolved and whether the water supply had been restored to an unlimited supply or remained rationed.

The mother said the reported lack of both water and air conditioning together alarmed her. She said she was angry that these alleged issues happened in the first place.

Former employee reaches out

An anonymous former employee of the Coffee County Correctional Facility also contacted WALB, alleging a pattern of unsafe and unsanitary conditions inside the prison.

The former employee claimed that inmates’ medical complaints are often dismissed, with staff allegedly assuming the inmates are “just playing” rather than taking their concerns seriously.

The source also alleged that inmates are frequently denied recreation time, citing reasons such as staffing issues or extreme heat.

According to the former employee, food trays are sometimes served with standing water, mold and foul odors. The source also claims some lockdown cells are allowed to accumulate trash, and inmates have allegedly gone three to four days without being able to shower when water is shut off following plumbing issues.

The former employee alleged further that some correctional officers spend portions of their shifts socializing instead of conducting required security checks, while supervisors fail to properly oversee operations. The source also claimed many housing units become dangerously hot, while only some areas remain adequately cooled.

The former employee, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation, said they believe the Coffee County Correctional Facility should be investigated.

State, CoreCivic response

WALB contacted the Georgia Department of Corrections seeking comment regarding the anonymous tips. Lori Benoit, Deputy Director of Communications for the Georgia Department of Corrections, said the Coffee County Correctional Facility falls under the authority of CoreCivic and directed WALB to contact the company’s Public Affairs Manager directly.

WALB then contacted CoreCivic directly with the following questions:

• Has the water contamination issue has been resolved?
• Is bottled water is being rationed or do inmates have unlimited access to safe drinking water?
• Are showers affected by the water issue?
• What is the status of reported air conditioning problems, particularly given the current extreme heat?
• What steps is the facility taking to address these concerns and ensure inmate safety?

CoreCivic has not responded as of 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, July 7.

WALB will provide updates as this story develops. Stay with us.

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