State prison officers arrested in widening corruption scandal

ATLANTA - When some state prison guards arrived at work this morning, they were handed pink slips and placed in handcuffs. 

The FBI busted individuals who swore an oath. The guards are accused of accepting bribe payments for transporting what investigators believed were drugs.

Investigators developed information as to who might go along with the story for cash payment. Authorities said the latest round of arrests follows an initial investigation into cell phones and other favors being supplied to prisoners. They said some guards got paid for those favors as well.

And authorities said the violations are no small matter. Prisoners who got phones have been able to continue running their criminal enterprises from behind bars. 

Overall, 49 guards have been indicted in the new case.

When Prison Commissioner Homer Bryson was asked about background checks of his staff, he acknowledged they are not as extensive as he would like. The reason, he said, is they are not able to be choosy about potential candidates because the pay is paltry.