GA Prisoner Dead, Prompting Use Of Force Probe

ALAMO, GA — A prisoner at Wheeler Correctional Facility is dead after authorities say he became unresponsive while corrections officers attempted to restrain him Sunday.

Additionally, state authorities say they have opened a use of force investigation at the Alamo state prison.

The incident took place around 5:45 a.m., the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said.

Officers encountered inmate Dustin Parham, 35, after being notified of "erratic and combative behavior" inside one of the dormitories, according to the GBI.

Authorities said Parham was seen armed with a makeshift weapon near the dormitory's doorway. They said the weapon was a "metal poker made from wire fencing."

Parham was showing abnormal behavior at the time, the GBI said.

Officers were able to handcuff Parham through the doorway when he tried to go into the control area, the GBI said. They accused Parham of resisting, and said officers then used pepper spray.

While the officers attempted to put Parham onto a medical gurney, in an effort to restrain and evaluate him, he became unresponsive, the GBI said.

Parham was pronounced dead at the scene, the GBI said. They added his body will be taken to Coastal Crime Lab in Pooler, where an autopsy will be performed.

No officers were injured during the incident, the GBI said.

The state agency said it has launched a use of force investigation at Wheeler.

Once the GBI's investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Oconee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.