Georgia § 42-5-58 - Prohibition against corporal punishment; use of handcuffs, leg chains, and other restraints; permissible punishment generally.
Full text of Georgia Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 42-5-58 — Prohibition against corporal punishment; use of handcuffs, leg chains, and other restraints; permissible punishment generally., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 42-5-58. Prohibition against corporal punishment; use of handcuffs, leg chains, and other restraints; permissible punishment generally.
Whipping of inmates and all forms of corporal punishment shall be prohibited. All shackles, manacles, picks, leg irons, and chains shall be barred from use as punishment by any penal institution operated under authority of the board. In transferring violent or potentially dangerous inmates within an institution or between facilities, handcuffs, leg chains, waist chains, and waist belts may be utilized. Handcuffs, leg chains, waist chains, and waist belts may also be used in securing violent or potentially dangerous inmates within an institution and in public and private areas such as hospitals and clinics; but in no event may handcuffs, leg chains, waist chains, and waist belts be used as punishment; provided, however, if the accused becomes violent in the courtroom, restraints may be used. The department shall restrict punishment for an infraction of correctional rules and regulations to isolation and restricted diet or to uniform standard humane punishment which the department may deem necessary for the control of inmates. (Ga. L. 1956, p. 161, § 15; Ga. L. 1983, p. 1806, § 1; Ga. L. 1984, p. 22, § 42; Ga. L. 1989, p. 14, § 42.) Cross references. - Cruel and unusual punishment, U.S. Const., amend. 8 and Ga. Const. 1983, Art. I, Sec. I, Para. XVII. Prohibition against whipping as punishment for crimes, Ga. Const. 1983, Art. I, Sec. I, Para. XXI. Penalty for assault by state officer under color of office or commission, § 45-11-3 . Law reviews. - For note, "Behind Closed Doors: An Empirical Inquiry Into the Nature of Prison Discipline in Georgia," see 8 Ga. L. Rev. 919 (1974).
Source: official Georgia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia § 42-5-58
What does Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 42-5-58 cover?
Section 42-5-58 ("Prohibition against corporal punishment; use of handcuffs, leg chains, and other restraints; permissible punishment generally.") is part of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the codified statutory law of Georgia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Georgia § 42-5-58?
A common citation format is "Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 42-5-58" (Georgia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Georgia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Georgia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Georgia attorney.
How does Georgia § 42-5-58 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Georgia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Georgia.