Advocating for Human Rights in Georgia’s Prisons
“It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.”
Nelson Mandela | Activist/President of South Africa
Join our movement to reform the prison system and ensure constitutional rights for all inmates.
THE CRISIS
Georgia’s prison system is in crisis.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the state of Georgia is holding more than 50,000 prisoners in inhumane & unconstitutional conditions. (Actual number held currently is: 53,227.)
Chronic understaffing and unchecked gang activity have led to alarming rates of violence.
Lives Lost Under GDC Custody
Over 1,600 people have died in Georgia Department of Corrections custody since 2020—an average of more than one death every day. Georgia’s prison death rate is 70% higher than the national average. These deaths represent a systemic crisis of care, oversight, and accountability in our state’s prison system. Each number is a person, a family member, someone’s child.
Deaths in 2025:
221 Deaths (as of September )
Previous Years Deaths and death rate
| Year | Deaths | Per Capita |
| 2024 | 333 | (651/100,000) |
| 2023 | 265 | (541/100,000) |
| 2022 | 254 | (525/100,000) |
| 2021 | 257 | (559/100,000) |
| 2020 | 293 | (682/100,000) |
The Crisis in Numbers
- Homicides: Georgia’s prison homicide rate is estimated at 63 per 100,000—eight times the national average
- Suicides: More than 40 per 100,000, twice the national average
- Trend: Death rates have been increasing, with 2020 and 2024 recording the highest numbers in the past two decades
- Scale: Over 1,500 people have died in GDC custody since 2020—more than one death every single day
Population Statistics
Current GDC population
| Prison | 50,231 |
| Probation RSAT | 1,503 |
| Probation Detention | 1,493 |
| Total in Prison | 53,227 |
| Jail Backlog waiting to enter GDC | 1,898 |
What We’re Fighting Against
Corruption in the GDC
Staff misconduct, cover-ups, and a system that protects those in power rather than holding them accountable.
Violence & Unsafe Conditions
Gang control, unchecked murders, assaults, and a system that allows brutality to continue.
A Broken Parole System
Georgia denies parole to thousands who should be released, keeping prisons full for profit.
Inhumane Treatment & Medical Neglect
Prisoners left without medical care, nutritious food, or basic human rights, often leading to preventable deaths.
Retaliation & Silencing of Prisoners
Inmates and their families face punishment for speaking out about abuse, unsafe conditions, and corruption.
Overcrowding & Triple Bunking
Inmates crammed into cells meant for one, leading to increased tension, fights, and worsening mental health.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Take Action: Be Part of the Solution
Your voice matters in the fight for prison reform. Here are three powerful ways you can help create change:
Contact Legislators
Use our AI-powered tool to quickly send personalized messages to Georgia lawmakers and media outlets about prison conditions.
Share Stories & Evidence
Help us document conditions by submitting photos, videos, and firsthand accounts from inside Georgia’s prisons.
Support the Movement
Follow our social media, sign up for updates, and share our content to amplify the voices of those behind walls.
Read Our
Georgia’s 2026 Legislative Session: A Second Chance for Real Parole Reform
The Price of Staying Close: Families Pay the Cost of a Broken System
