---
title: O.C.G.A. § 42-5-7. Sudden or unusual death of inmate.
collection: code
id: 42-5-7
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 42-5-7 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/42-5-7
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/42-5-7.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/42-5-7/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t41-t42-(v29a)-2023-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=4afea80d_0#page=272
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/42-5.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/42-5-6.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/42-5-8.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: PENAL INSTITUTIONS / CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF STATE AND COUNTIES / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 42-5-7. Sudden or unusual death of inmate.

Whenever any inmate dies suddenly or under unusual circumstances in any correctional institution, the warden or superintendent of that institution shall immediately notify the commissioner and shall also notify the coroner of the county in which the death occurs. The warden or superintendent is also directed to furnish the department with a copy of the findings of the coroner’s inquest, together with any other information available that would be of use to the commissioner in determining the cause of death.

## History

Ga. L. 1956, p. 161, § 25.

## Cross References

Reimbursement of counties for expenses of burial of inmates, § 36-12-5.

Requirement of autopsy and inquest upon death of inmate occurring when physician not present or as a result of violence, § 45-16-27.