Georgia Added Modular Housing at Hays State Prison
The state finalized a project adding 126 beds to the Chattooga County facility to support maintenance efforts.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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On July 22, 2026, the Georgia Department of Corrections announced the completion of new modular housing units at Hays State Prison. The installation provided 126 additional beds to the facility, which serves as part of a larger project adding 524 beds across four state prisons.
Why it matters
These units facilitate inmate housing during critical infrastructure improvements and ongoing facility maintenance. The expansion ensures operational continuity while the department addresses aging housing stock at the site.
The project involved a contract valued at $20,173,811 for the Hays State Prison site. Infrastructure upgrades included a new 400-kilowatt generator and gas piping required for the modular units.
The players
Georgia Department of Corrections
This agency is responsible for overseeing the operation of state prisons and the housing of inmates across Georgia.
Hays State Prison
Located in Chattooga County, this facility functions as a major state correctional institution.
Gabriel Illa
He serves as the warden responsible for the daily supervision of inmates at Hays State Prison.
The details
The Georgia Department of Corrections deployed ModCorr MaxMod units to increase capacity and improve site infrastructure. The project required an easement from the City of Summerville to extend natural-gas services to the property.
Timeline
Hays State Prison was constructed in 1989.
The facility officially opened in 1990.
The installation of the new housing units was announced as completed on July 22, 2026.
Gabriel Illa was named the warden of the facility in August 2026.
Legal Context
This project follows the broader infrastructure deployment patterns established by the Georgia Department of Corrections 524-bed modular expansion initiative. The move reflects a state-wide strategy to use modular units to maintain prison capacity during necessary long-term repairs.
The expansion at Hays State Prison primarily impacts operations within the Chattooga County correctional system. Residents and local businesses in Summerville may observe continued utility adjustments as the facility integrates its new natural-gas infrastructure.
The takeaway
The use of modular units allows correctional facilities to modernize infrastructure without requiring immediate site shutdowns. This approach provides a flexible solution for managing prison populations during essential safety and utility upgrades.
Further reading
For more information on facility management, visit Criminal Justice.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chattooga1180.
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