Broken Promises Land Georgia Prison Officials in Contempt

A Georgia federal judge has slapped the state's prison officials with a contempt ruling imposing fines and appointing an independent monitor after finding the state Department of Corrections has for years flouted the terms of a settlement over its treatment of prisoners in its most punitive unit.

In a statement Tuesday, the Southern Center for Human Rights – which, alongside attorneys from Kilpatrick represents the prisoner plaintiffs — said it was "hopeful" the measures "will bring the change that has eluded people in the SMU for far too long."