30% reduction in repeat offenses. 6% decrease in prison population. $264 million saved. Georgia’s rehabilitation programs prove that investing in people works. Randy Davis learned Braille transcription at Central State Prison and launched his own business one week after release. Tina Stanley, pardoned in 2019, now mentors others through recovery. These aren’t exceptions—they’re what happens when the system prioritizes rehabilitation over warehousing. Georgia’s RSAT program serves only 12 facilities. Expansion requires advocacy. 1
Programs That Work
Georgia’s successful rehabilitation initiatives:
- RSAT program—substance abuse treatment with peer support
- Braille transcription—vocational training producing educational materials
- Intensive Re-Entry Programs—community transition support
- Cognitive programming—addressing behavior patterns
“Offenders who take advantage of opportunities in prison and parole can succeed while contributing to safer communities,” states Parole Board Chairman Terry Barnard.
Success Stories
Rehabilitation produces results:
- Randy Davis—learned Braille in prison, opened Aloha Braille business
- Tina Stanley—now leads treatment groups and mentors others
- 70% reintegration success rate—above national average
- Thousands of students served—through Braille program materials
These individual stories reflect systemic impact—lower recidivism, safer communities, and significant cost savings. 2
Barriers to Expansion
Challenges limiting rehabilitation:
- Limited availability—RSAT in only 12 of Georgia’s facilities
- Post-release obstacles—housing and employment barriers
- Insufficient funding—programs can’t serve all who need them
- 1 in 13 Georgia adults—under correctional supervision
Expanding successful programs requires advocacy and policy reform.
Take Action
Use Impact Justice AI to send advocacy emails supporting rehabilitation program expansion in Georgia. The free tool crafts personalized messages to lawmakers—no experience required.
Demand:
- Expanded RSAT program availability
- Increased vocational training opportunities
- Reentry support services
- Funding for proven rehabilitation programs
Further Reading
- How Prison Education Lowers Recidivism Costs
- Rehabilitation vs. Punishment: Redefining Georgia’s Prison System
- GPS Informational Resources
- Pathways to Success
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.
