Georgia Prisoners’ Speak is proud to introduce the GPS Lighthouse App—a free mobile application designed to put critical information, resources, and advocacy tools directly in the hands of incarcerated Georgians and their families. This comprehensive manual will guide you through every feature of the app, from creating an account to filing reports, conducting legal research, and accessing family resources.
The GPS Lighthouse App embodies our tagline: “Guiding families through the system.” Whether you’re an incarcerated individual accessing the app through a JP5 tablet, a family member on your smartphone, or an advocate working on behalf of someone in custody, this app provides the tools you need to navigate Georgia’s prison system.
What is GPS Lighthouse?
GPS Lighthouse is a free mobile application that provides offline access to GPS journalism and educational content, AI-powered assistance for questions about Georgia’s prison system, comprehensive legal research tools including case law and Georgia statutes, document generation for grievances and court filings, confidential incident reporting capabilities, real-time GDC statistics, and extensive family resources for communication, visitation, and re-entry support.
The app is currently available for JP5 tablets (via sideloaded APK), Android phones (via sideloading, with Google Play Store coming soon), and will soon be available on the Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad users. The JP5 tablet version includes core features, while the smartphone versions include the full suite of functionality.
Getting Started
Creating Your Account
To create an account, open the GPS Lighthouse app and tap “Create Account” or “Register.” You’ll need to provide your email address and create a secure password. You can optionally add your name, select your user type (Advocate, Currently Incarcerated, or Other), choose your facility if applicable, and enter your GDC number or your loved one’s GDC number. After tapping “Register,” you’ll be logged in automatically.
Your profile information helps GPS provide more relevant resources and allows staff to follow up on reports if you’ve given permission. You can edit your profile at any time by going to the More tab and tapping “Edit Profile.”
Home Dashboard
The Home screen serves as your central hub for navigating the app. At the top, you’ll see quick statistics showing the total prison population and jail backlog—numbers updated regularly from official GDC reports. Below that, a carousel displays the three most recent GPS investigative articles.
Quick action buttons provide easy access to the most-used features: filing a report, starting an AI chat, accessing the Law Library, and viewing full statistics. The External Tools section links to partner resources including Impact Justice AI for drafting emails to lawmakers, ParoleBuilder for parole preparation, and the full GPS website.
Gateway Messages appear on the home screen when GPS has important announcements. These are color-coded: blue for general information, yellow for important notices, and red for urgent alerts.
Articles and News
The Articles tab organizes GPS journalism by category: Featured articles include major investigative pieces and breaking news, Pathways contains educational content and success stories, and Informational provides guides and resources.
When reading an article, you can scroll through the full content, tap the bookmark icon to save it for later, or tap the share icon to send it via text, email, or social media. All images and formatting are preserved from the original GPS.press article.
Articles you’ve viewed are cached for offline reading. On JP5 tablets, the app is specifically designed for offline use—articles sync automatically when connected and remain available when you’re offline.
AI Assistant
The AI Assistant is powered by GPS’s knowledge base and can answer questions about Georgia’s prison system, legal rights, filing grievances, the parole process, and more. To start a conversation, tap the Chat tab and then the “New Chat” button. Type your question and tap Send.
If you’re not sure what to ask, try questions like “What are my rights if I’m denied medical care?” or “How do I file a grievance about staff misconduct?” or “Explain the parole process in Georgia” or “What has GPS reported about conditions at [facility name]?”
Your conversations are saved and can be accessed later from the Chat screen. The AI remembers the context of your conversation, so you can continue where you left off. Responses are formatted with Markdown for easy reading and provide information based on GPS’s reporting, legal resources, and GDC policies.
While helpful, AI responses should not replace professional legal advice. For specific legal matters, consult with an attorney or contact one of the legal aid organizations listed in the app.
Law Library
The Law Library provides access to federal and state case law and Georgia statutes—essential tools for legal research.
Case Law Search
You can search court opinions from the U.S. Supreme Court, 11th Circuit Court of Appeals (which covers Georgia, Florida, and Alabama), Georgia Supreme Court, Georgia Court of Appeals, and all federal courts. Enter keywords like “deliberate indifference medical care” or “Section 1983 Georgia,” select a court filter if desired, and browse results showing case name, citation, date, and a relevant snippet. Tap any case to read the full opinion, and bookmark cases for offline access.
Georgia Code (OCGA)
Browse and search the Official Code of Georgia Annotated by keywords or section numbers. You can also browse by navigating through Titles, Chapters, Articles, and Sections. Key titles for prison-related issues include Title 9 (Civil Practice), Title 16 (Crimes and Offenses), Title 17 (Criminal Procedure), and Title 42 (Penal Institutions).
Access your saved cases and statutes from the Legal tab under “Saved Items.” These are stored locally and available offline.
Document Generator
The Document Generator helps you create legal documents with AI assistance. Templates are designed specifically for Georgia’s prison system.
Available Templates
Grievances include five templates: Standard Grievance for general complaints, Grievance Appeal for appealing denied grievances, Medical Grievance for medical care issues, Staff Misconduct Grievance for reporting staff behavior, and Conditions Grievance for living conditions and safety concerns.
Court Filings include three templates: Habeas Corpus Petition for challenging unlawful detention, Motion for Reconsideration for asking a court to reconsider a ruling, and Notice of Appeal for formally appealing a court decision.
Letters include three templates: Support Letter for letters to parole boards or courts, Character Reference for character testimony, and Re-entry Plan Letter for outlining release plans.
Forms include three templates: Visitor Application for applying for visitor approval, Property Claim for claiming lost or damaged property, and Indigent Status Request for requesting indigent classification.
How to Generate a Document
Go to the More tab, select Document Generator, choose a template category and specific template, fill in the required fields (your name, GDC number, facility, and specific details about your situation), and tap “Generate.” Review the AI-generated document, edit as needed, then save to My Documents or copy to your clipboard.
Documents are generated as starting points—always review and customize for your specific situation. For court filings, consider consulting with a legal aid organization. Keep copies of all documents you submit and note submission dates.
Incident Reporting
GPS investigates conditions inside Georgia’s prisons. Your reports help document abuse, neglect, and policy violations.
Report Categories
You can report incidents in ten categories: Death (reporting a death in custody), Medical Neglect (denial or delay of medical care), Violence/Assault (physical violence or assault), Conditions (unsafe or inhumane living conditions), Retaliation (punishment for reporting or speaking out), Staff Misconduct (inappropriate staff behavior or corruption), Food/Nutrition (food quality or nutrition issues), Mail Issues (mail tampering or denial), Visitation Issues (visitation problems), and Other (issues not listed above).
Filing a Report
Go to the More tab and select “File a Report.” Fill in the category, date of incident, facility, location within the facility, people involved, and a detailed description (minimum 20 characters). Select your contact preference: Anonymous (no identifying information attached), May contact via app (GPS can message you with follow-up questions), or Include my email (GPS can email you directly).
After submitting, your report will show a status: Draft (saved locally, not yet submitted), Queued (waiting to upload when offline), Submitted (successfully received by GPS), Under Review (GPS is investigating), Resolved (investigation complete), or Failed (upload failed after multiple attempts).
Reports can be drafted and saved even without an internet connection. The app will automatically upload when connected, retrying with increasing intervals if needed.
“GPS does not share your personal information with GDC or any government agency. Reports go to GPS journalists, not prison officials. We protect the identity of all sources.”
GDC Statistics
Access comprehensive data about Georgia’s prison system, updated from official GDC reports.
Population Statistics show the total prison population, jail backlog (people waiting in county jails for state prison beds), probation detention center population, and community supervision numbers.
Mortality Statistics display total deaths in GDC custody, deaths by year from 2000 to present, and average age at death. Mortality data is preliminary and may be updated as GPS receives additional information.
Demographics include age distribution, race and ethnicity breakdowns, and security classification (minimum, medium, close).
Health Statistics show the population with physical health conditions and those receiving mental health services.
All statistics come from official GDC reports: Weekly Statistical Reports (MSR-05) updated every Saturday, and Monthly Reports updated on the second business day of each month. GPS processes these reports and makes them accessible in user-friendly formats.
Facilities Directory
The Facilities Directory helps you find information about any Georgia prison. Use the search bar to find facilities by name, or filter by security level (Minimum, Medium, or Close).
Each facility listing includes the full name and common abbreviation, location (city and county), security level, facility type, official capacity, current population, and contact information including address and phone number.
When population exceeds capacity, this indicates overcrowding, which often correlates with worse conditions, longer wait times for services, and increased safety concerns.
Resources for Families
The app includes comprehensive resources to help families navigate the system.
Visitation
Find links to GDC’s online visitation scheduling portal, instructions for applying for approved visitor status, what to expect when visiting, arrival requirements and dress code, and how to cancel or reschedule visits. Schedule visits as early as possible—slots fill up quickly.
Sending Money
Options for depositing funds include JPay Online at JPay.com (fees apply), MoneyGram at retail locations using receiver code 6857, money orders by mail to the GDC address, and phone deposits by calling 1-800-574-5729. Deposited funds go to the inmate’s trust account for purchasing commissary items.
Inmate Lookup
Access the GDC Offender Search to find someone by name or GDC number, check parole eligibility for tentative parole month, and get addresses and instructions for requesting official records.
Legal Aid Directory
Contact information for organizations providing free or low-cost legal help includes Georgia Legal Services Program (general civil legal aid), Atlanta Legal Aid Society (Metro Atlanta civil cases), Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (pro bono attorneys), Southern Center for Human Rights (prison conditions, death penalty), Georgia Innocence Project (wrongful conviction cases), Georgia Justice Project (reentry, record restriction), Georgia Resource Center (death penalty cases), and ACLU of Georgia (civil rights, conditions).
Re-entry Resources
For people preparing for release, find information on housing assistance programs, employment services, ID and document restoration, benefits enrollment, healthcare resources, and a step-by-step re-entry checklist.
Family Support
Access communication guides for calls, video visits, and messaging, financial planning information, self-care resources for families, and support groups and community connections.
Advocacy Groups
Find state-level advocacy organizations, national organizations with Georgia presence, and information on how to get involved in advocacy.
Emergency Contacts
Critical contacts for urgent situations include GDC oversight contacts, medical emergency contacts for when care is denied, legal emergency contacts, death and serious injury reporting contacts, and crisis support hotlines.
Important Dates Calendar
Track important dates related to your loved one’s case. Go to the More tab and select “Important Dates.” Add dates with categories (court, parole, release, visitation, deadline, appointment) and notes. View all dates in calendar format and swipe to delete dates no longer needed.
Account and Settings
Notifications
Control what notifications you receive by going to the More tab and selecting “Notifications Settings.” Toggle on or off system announcements, support ticket updates, report message notifications, and new article alerts.
View your notifications by tapping the bell icon on the Home screen or going to the More tab and selecting “Notifications.” Unread notifications show a badge count. Tap to view details, swipe to delete, or use “Mark All Read” to clear the unread count.
Privacy and Security
Access privacy and security settings from the More tab to manage data sharing preferences and account security settings.
Logging Out
To log out, go to the More tab, scroll to the bottom, and tap “Logout.” You’ll need to log in again to access your reports, documents, and conversation history.
Deleting Your Account
To permanently delete your account, contact GPS Support through the app or email privacy@gps.press. Account deletion removes all your data from GPS servers.
Getting Help
Help and FAQ
Go to the More tab and select “Help & FAQ” to browse common questions and answers or search for specific topics.
Send Feedback
Have a suggestion or found a bug? Go to the More tab, select “Send Feedback,” describe your feedback or issue, and tap Submit.
Contact Support
For technical issues or account problems, go to the More tab and select “Contact Support.” Choose a category (Bug Report, Account Issue, Feature Request, or General Question), describe your issue, optionally include device information to help with troubleshooting, and tap Submit.
Track the status of your support requests under “My Support Tickets” in the More tab. View all open and resolved tickets, tap any ticket to see details and replies, and reply to continue the conversation.
Direct Contact
You can also reach GPS by email at support@gps.press, through the website at gps.press, or through secure reporting at gps.press/report.
Platform Differences
The GPS Lighthouse smartphone app and GPS Inmate App for JP5 tablets share core functionality but have some differences. Both platforms include Articles and News, AI Chat, Incident Reporting, GDC Statistics, Facilities Directory, Law Library (Case Law and OCGA), Document Generator, My Documents, and Bookmarking.
The smartphone version adds additional features not available on JP5 tablets: full Notifications Inbox, Important Dates Calendar, Re-entry Resources, Family Support Resources, Advocacy Groups, Emergency Contacts, Inmate Lookup, Legal Aid Directory, Visitation Information, Sending Money Guide, Support Tickets, and full Profile Editing.
Offline Capabilities
The JP5 tablet is designed for intermittent connectivity. Articles cache automatically for offline reading, reports queue and upload when connected, AI chat history is viewable offline (new messages require connection), and legal items can be saved for offline access.
The smartphone version’s primary features require an internet connection, though viewed articles are cached and reports can be drafted offline.
Technical Requirements
JP5 tablets require Android 4.2.2 (API 17) with sideloaded installation. Android smartphones require Android 7.0 or newer, available via sideloading or Google Play Store. iPhone and iPad require iOS 12.0 or newer, available via Apple App Store (coming soon).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GPS Lighthouse free? Yes, completely free. GPS is a nonprofit organization.
Do I need an account to use the app? Yes, an account is required to use most features. This allows you to save documents, track reports, and maintain conversation history.
Is my information private? Yes. GPS does not share your personal information. Reports can be submitted anonymously. See our Privacy Policy for details.
How often is the data updated? GDC statistics are updated weekly (population data) and monthly (detailed reports). Articles are published as GPS completes investigations.
Will GDC know I filed a report? No. Reports go to GPS, not to GDC. We protect the identity of all sources.
What happens after I submit a report? GPS reviews all reports. If we need more information and you allowed contact, we’ll reach out. Reports help us identify patterns and inform our investigations.
Can I report something that happened to someone else? Yes. You can report incidents involving yourself, a loved one, or anyone in custody.
Is the AI a real person? No, it’s an AI system trained on GPS’s knowledge base. For complex legal matters, consult a human attorney.
Are my chat conversations private? Yes. Conversations are stored securely and associated with your account only.
Can the AI give me legal advice? The AI provides information and guidance but cannot provide legal advice. For legal matters, contact an attorney or legal aid organization.
Can I use the generated documents as-is? Documents are starting points. Review carefully and customize for your specific situation. For court filings, consider having an attorney review them.
Explore the Data
GPS makes GDC statistics accessible to the public through several resources:
- GPS Statistics Portal — Interactive dashboards translating complex GDC reports into accessible formats, updated within days of official releases.
- GPS Lighthouse AI — Ask questions about Georgia’s prison system and get answers drawn from GPS’s investigative archive and data analysis.
- Machine-Readable Pages for Researchers — GPS maintains AI-optimized pages for data analysis:
Contact GPS at media@gps.press for additional information or data access requests.
About Georgia Prisoners’ Speak (GPS)
Georgia Prisoners’ Speak (GPS) is a nonprofit investigative newsroom built in partnership with incarcerated reporters, families, advocates, and data analysts. Operating independently from the Georgia Department of Corrections, GPS documents the truth the state refuses to acknowledge: extreme violence, fatal medical neglect, gang-controlled dorms, collapsed staffing, fraudulent reporting practices, and unconstitutional conditions across Georgia’s prisons.
Through confidential reporting channels, secure communication, evidence verification, public-records requests, legislative research, and professional investigative standards, GPS provides the transparency the system lacks. Our mission is to expose abuses, protect incarcerated people, support families, and push Georgia toward meaningful reform based on human rights, evidence, and public accountability.
Every article is part of a larger fight — to end the silence, reveal the truth, and demand justice.
