FAQs

There are many ways to make a real difference:

Take Direct Action:

• Use Impact Justice AI – Generate and send personalized messages to decision makers and media outlets about specific issues.
• Contact Your Legislators – Use our 2026 Candidates Guide to know where candidates stand on reform.
• Share Our Reporting – Spread awareness by sharing GPS articles on social media.

Get Educated:

• Read our investigative series on The Illusion of Parole
• Understand the crisis through Death by Neglect: Hidden Deaths Inside Georgia Prisons
• Explore Think Tanks Working on Prison Reform

Help Families:

• Share our free Parole Packet Builder tool with families navigating the parole process
• Connect families with our Complete Guide to Georgia Parole Packets

Yes! We regularly seek writers, researchers, legal advisors, and social media volunteers. If you’re passionate about prison reform and have relevant skills, please reach out via our Join Our Movement Page.

Absolutely. We welcome firsthand accounts and encourage families or currently/formerly incarcerated individuals to share their perspectives. You can submit your story securely through our Story Submission page, or email us at mystory@gps.press and we will do our best to protect your privacy.

GPS uses multiple sources to build accurate, verifiable reporting:

• Firsthand Accounts – Direct reports from incarcerated individuals and their families through our secure submission system
• Official Data – Weekly population reports, monthly statistics, and mortality data from the Georgia Department of Corrections (see our GDC Statistics page)
• Public Records – Open records requests, court filings, DOJ reports, and legislative testimony
• Investigative Journalism – Original research and collaboration with media partners like the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

We verify all claims through multiple sources whenever possible, especially given the communication barriers faced by incarcerated people.

We aim to publish several new articles or investigative pieces each week. You can subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on social media for regular updates.

We follow journalistic standards, including fact-checking and verifying sources whenever possible. Because many incarcerated people face communication barriers, we work diligently to corroborate their experiences through official documents or multiple eyewitness accounts.

The Reality: Getting information from the GDC is challenging. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 42-5-36) classifies prison inmate files as “confidential state secrets,” giving the GDC extraordinary power to withhold records that would be public in most other states.

Your Options:

• GDC Open Records Portal: Submit formal requests here
  Email: open.records@gdc.ga.gov | Phone: (478) 992-5247
• GPS Comprehensive Guide: Read our Family Guide to Requesting Georgia Prison Records – covers who creates records, what laws apply, and strategies for getting information
• Financial Records: See How to Request Georgia Prison Financial Records
• Need Help? Ask our GPS Lighthouse AI for guidance on your specific situation

Important: Not all records come from the GDC. Medical providers, the GBI Medical Examiner, county coroners, and outside hospitals each control their own records. Our guide explains how to navigate this fragmented system.

The GDC publishes its Standard Operating Procedures on its official website:

GDC Policies and Procedures

The policies are organized by division (Administrative & Finance, Executive, Inmate Services, etc.), making it easier to find specific SOPs.

Need help understanding an SOP? Our GPS Lighthouse AI has been trained on GDC Standard Operating Procedures and can help you understand what they mean, find relevant policies, or explain your rights under specific procedures.

The GDC has an official handbook that they give to prisoners when they arrive in prison.  However this is always a time of confusion and the handbook is just a set of poorly copied pages that often get thrown away long before being read by anyone.  You can read or download a copy of the handbook on our site here: Georgia Prisoner’s Handbook

Use the GPS Facilities Directory for the most complete information:

GPS Facilities Directory

Our directory includes data you won’t find on the GDC’s official site:

• Current population – Updated weekly from GDC Friday Reports
• Capacity data – See which facilities are overcrowded
• Mortality statistics – Death counts for each facility
• Contact information – Phone numbers and addresses
• Facility profiles – Security level, type, and regional information

You can also access the official GDC directory: GDC Facility Directory (PDF) or search facilities on GDC’s website.

When a loved one dies in custody, families have specific rights under Georgia law:

• Prompt Notification – The Warden must personally notify next of kin as soon as death is confirmed
• Death Certificate – You are entitled to receive an official Certificate of Death
• Release of Remains – The body must be released within 24 hours of your request (unless foul play is suspected)
• Inquest Records – For violent or unexpected deaths, the county Coroner must hold a public inquest, and you can request copies of all proceedings

Read our complete guide: Your Rights and the GDC’s Responsibilities: What Families Need to Know When an Inmate Dies

Related Resources:

• Death by Neglect: Georgia’s Prison Medical Care Crisis
• How to Request Records After a Death
• GPS Mortality Database – Search deaths in Georgia prisons

If you have questions about a specific situation, consult our GPS Lighthouse AI or contact a qualified attorney.

We take confidentiality seriously. Any personal details you provide can be anonymized in our reports, and we use secure submission channels to protect your privacy whenever possible.

We utilize Proton Mail.  We suggest you do the same. It is end-to-end encrypted.

Yes, retaliation is a real concern. GPS has extensively documented how Georgia prisons punish those who speak out.

Read our investigations:

• Retaliation & Silencing of Prisoners: The Hidden Cost of Speaking Out
• Georgia Prison Whistleblowers Face Retaliation
• Invisible Scars: Cycle of Retaliation and Abuse

How we protect sources:

• We anonymize identities in all published reports unless you explicitly consent
• Use our secure email: mystory@gps.press (we use ProtonMail end-to-end encryption)
• We never share source information with the GDC or law enforcement

If you have serious concerns, consult with an attorney before going public. Your safety and your loved one’s safety come first.

We operate through a combination of donations, grants, and sponsorships. Our financial independence allows us to maintain objective reporting.

No. We don’t currently take donations.

You can sign up for our newsletter via the subscription box on our homepage. We’ll send you weekly updates on new articles, developments in Georgia’s prison system, and advocacy opportunities.

Our Read Our Articles page contains all of our past articles, organized by date and topic for easy browsing.

Please email us at support@gps.press  Include the link to the article you’re trying to access so we can troubleshoot.

You can reach us via email at accountability@gps.press.

Please direct media and interview requests to media@gps.press. Include your deadline and any relevant details about the story you’re pursuing.

Yes! The GPS Lighthouse app puts critical information about Georgia prisons right in your pocket—designed specifically for families, advocates, and anyone who needs quick, reliable access to prison-related resources.

Available for:

• JP5 Tablets – Direct APK download available now
• Android Phones – Download APK (Google Play coming soon)
• iPhones – Coming soon to the App Store

What you can do with the GPS Lighthouse app:

• Read GPS articles offline – Download articles to read even without internet access
• AI-powered assistance – Ask questions about Georgia prisons, your rights, policies, and legal issues
• Legal research – Search case law and Georgia statutes relevant to prison conditions
• Grievance writing help – Get guidance on documenting issues and writing effective grievances
• Quick access to resources – Facilities directory, SOPs, parole information, and more

Download the GPS Lighthouse App

The app was designed to be a convenient, all-in-one resource for people navigating Georgia’s prison system—whether you’re inside, have a loved one inside, or are advocating for change.