Budget Analysis

GDC Budget: FY 2026–2027

Georgia Department of Corrections — Total Budget: $1.78B (FY 2027 Proposed)
$

Total Budget Overview

Total GDC Budget
$1.78B
FY 2027 Proposed
Amended FY 2026: $1.80B
+$66.8M (3.9%) vs original FY 2026
FY 2027 Fund Sources
99.1%
from state taxpayers
State General: $1.76B
Federal: $810K
Other: $16.0M
Historical Growth
+25.4%
FY 2025 vs FY 2024
FY 2024: $1.53B
FY 2025: $1.91B
Jumped $387.2M in one year
Amendment Impact
$87.1M
added to FY 2026 budget
Original: $1.71B
Amended: $1.80B
5.1% increase mid-year
Budget Allocation by Program — Amended FY 2026
State Prisons
$938.7M 52.2%
Health
$417.3M 23.2%
Private Prisons
$173.5M 9.6%
Detention Centers
$79.3M 4.4%
Offender Management
$65.1M 3.6%
Transition Centers
$51.8M 2.9%
Departmental Administration (DOC)
$42.4M 2.4%
Food and Farm Operations
$31.1M 1.7%
99.1% of the GDC budget comes from state taxpayers. FY 2025 spending jumped $387.2M (+25.4%) over FY 2024 — the largest single-year increase in recent history.
Department Financial Summary
ProgramFY 2024 ActualFY 2025 ActualFY 2026 OriginalFY 2026 AmendedFY 2027 Proposed
Departmental Administration (DOC)$45.3M$49.5M$41.9M$42.4M$40.3M
Detention Centers$70.5M$75.8M$77.8M$79.3M$74.6M
Food and Farm Operations$30.9M$31.7M$30.9M$31.1M$31.2M
Health$325.6M$389.9M$377.5M$417.3M$432.2M
Offender Management$45.8M$50.5M$58.6M$65.1M$58.6M
Private Prisons$144.3M$152.6M$172.5M$173.5M$177.8M
State Prisons$821.3M$1.12B$902.0M$938.7M$914.9M
Transition Centers$43.0M$46.3M$50.9M$51.8M$49.2M
TOTAL$1.53B$1.91B$1.71B$1.80B$1.78B
By Fund Source
Fund SourceFY 2024 ActualFY 2025 ActualFY 2026 OriginalFY 2026 AmendedFY 2027 Proposed
State General Funds$1.42B$1.82B$1.70B$1.78B$1.76B
Federal Funds$3.0M$3.3M$810K$810K$810K
Other Funds$100.7M$86.8M$16.0M$16.0M$16.0M
TOTAL$1.53B$1.91B$1.71B$1.80B$1.78B
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Health Program Deep Dive

Total Health Budget
$432.2M
FY 2027 Proposed
Amended FY 2026: $417.3M
+$15.0M change
Health Contract Increases
$55.0M
FY 2027 new contract funding
FY 2026 contracts: $39.7M
Physical Health
$47.9M
FY 2027 (was $38.9M in FY 2026)
Mental Health
$1.9M
4x increase over FY 2026 ($479K)
Dental
$1.5M
4x increase over FY 2026 ($375K)
Pharmacy
$3.7M
New in FY 2027 — per diem increase
Health Budget Change Details
Amended FY 2026
Increase funds to provide a one-time salary supplement of $2,000 to full-time, regular state employees.
$53,825
Increase funds for the physical health contract for a per diem increase ($10,946,108), outside-the-wire care ($15,000,000), and to reflect the opening of additional beds ($12,923,790).
$38,869,898
Increase funds for the mental health contract to increase staffing ratios.
$479,411
Increase funds for the dental health contract to increase staffing ratios.
$374,587
Utilize prior year funds ($20,402,982) for physical health risk share obligations.
Non-monetary
Total Change
$39,777,721
FY 2027 Proposed
Increase funds for the Teachers Retirement System to reflect an increase in the actuarially determined employer contribution from 21.91% to 22.32%.
$149
Reflect an adjustment to agency premiums for Department of Administrative Services administered insurance programs.
($4,700)
Reflect an adjustment in telecommunications and infrastructure rates for the Georgia Technology Authority.
($4,670)
Reflect an adjustment for GA@Work billings to meet projected expenditures.
$1,137
Reduce funds to reflect a reduction in the employer contribution rate for the State Health Benefit Plan from 29.454% to 20.264%.
($200,420)
Increase funds for the physical health contract for a per diem increase ($23,627,395) and to reflect the opening of additional beds ($24,253,500).
$47,880,895
Increase funds for the mental health contract to increase staffing ratios.
$1,917,644
Increase funds for the dental health contract to increase staffing ratios.
$1,498,347
Increase funds for the pharmacy contract for a per diem increase.
$3,681,328
Total Change
$54,769,710
Health contracts received $55.0M in new FY 2027 funding. Mental health staffing ratios see a 4x increase over FY 2026, and dental receives a 4x increase. A new $3.7M pharmacy per diem line appears for the first time in FY 2027.
⚙

State Prisons Deep Dive

CO Staffing
$26.8M
FY 2027 — to improve staff-to-offender ratios
FY 2026: $5.0M
5x more funding
Security & Contraband
$8.2M
FY 2027 — security + technology
FY 2026 security: $16.9M
+14 positions
Education
$953K
FY 2027 — high school diploma accreditation
FY 2026: $94K
Amended FY 2026 — Security & Surveillance
Provide funds for start-up costs for three security threat group regional coordinators. +3
$137,802
Provide funds for start-up costs for six canine handlers. +6
$964,650
Increase funds for managed access and drone detection systems to prevent contraband in facilities.
$13,387,475
Provide funds for the purchase of public safety supplies and equipment.
$2,450,500
FY 2027 Proposed — Security & Surveillance
Provide funds for three security threat group regional coordinators. +3
$377,168
Increase funds for six canine handlers. +6
$624,652
Provide funds for five managed access analysts. +5
$409,040
Increase funds to annualize personnel for the Over Watch and Logistics (OWL) Unit.
$1,238,495
Utilize existing funds ($10,793,600) for managed access and drone detection systems to prevent contraband in facilities.
Non-monetary
Increase funds for additional technology costs for the Over Watch and Logistics (OWL) Unit to enhance safety, security, and technology.
$5,521,230
Reentry Programs
$283K
combined FY 2026 + FY 2027
FY 2026: $243K
FY 2027: $40K
One-Time Salary Supplement
$12.1M
FY 2026 only — $2,000/employee
State Prisons share of agency-wide supplement
Facility Operations
$6.3M
combined — modular units, Lee Arrendale, food contracts
FY 2026: $2.4M | FY 2027: $3.8M
Security and surveillance receive $8.2M in FY 2027 (security + OWL technology), while education receives $953K — just 11.7% of surveillance spending. Metro Reentry Facility receives $133K — approximately 0.0075% of the total GDC budget.
⚖

Private Prisons & Infrastructure

Private Prisons Budget
$177.8M
FY 2027 Proposed
Amended FY 2026: $173.5M
+$4.2M
New Private Prison Beds
263 beds
Coffee CI + Wheeler CI (FY 2027)
Cost: $4.2M
~$16K per bed/year
Jail Subsidy Payments
$6.2M
FY 2026 — local jails housing state inmates
Under Offender Management program
Private Prison Budget Changes
Increase funds for Jenkins Correctional Institution and Riverbend Correctional Institution to fully utilize available beds at correct tier rate added in HB68 (2025 Session).
Jenkins CI / Riverbend CI
$1,054,637
Increase funds for Jenkins Correctional Institution and Riverbend Correctional Institution to fully utilize available beds at correct tier rate added in HB68 (2025 Session).
Jenkins CI / Riverbend CI
$1,054,637
Increase funds to add 160 private prison beds at Coffee Correctional Institution and 103 private prison beds at Wheeler Correctional Institution.
Coffee CI / Wheeler CI
$4,227,620
Each new private prison bed costs approximately $16K per year. The 263-bed expansion at Coffee and Wheeler costs $4.2M annually.
☰

All Budget Changes by Program

Amended FY 2026 Budget Changes
Departmental Administration (DOC)
Increase funds to provide a one-time salary supplement of $2,000 to full-time, regular state employees.
$499,496
Total Change
$499,496
Detention Centers
Increase funds to provide a one-time salary supplement of $2,000 to full-time, regular state employees.
$1,466,193
Total Change
$1,466,193
Food and Farm Operations
Increase funds to provide a one-time salary supplement of $2,000 to full-time, regular state employees.
$36,601
Provide funds for food services at four modular correctional units.
$182,375
Total Change
$218,976
Health
Increase funds to provide a one-time salary supplement of $2,000 to full-time, regular state employees.
$53,825
Increase funds for the physical health contract for a per diem increase ($10,946,108), outside-the-wire care ($15,000,000), and to reflect the opening of additional beds ($12,923,790).
$38,869,898
Increase funds for the mental health contract to increase staffing ratios.
$479,411
Increase funds for the dental health contract to increase staffing ratios.
$374,587
Utilize prior year funds ($20,402,982) for physical health risk share obligations.
Non-monetary
Total Change
$39,777,721
Offender Management
Increase funds to provide a one-time salary supplement of $2,000 to full-time, regular state employees.
$129,180
Increase funds for jail subsidy payments to local jails for housing Department of Corrections inmates.
$6,242,030
Increase funds for maintenance and support of the inmate assignment decision support system.
$125,892
Total Change
$6,497,102
Private Prisons
Increase funds for Jenkins Correctional Institution and Riverbend Correctional Institution to fully utilize available beds at correct tier rate added in HB68 (2025 Session).
Jenkins CI / Riverbend CI
$1,054,637
Total Change
$1,054,637
State Prisons
Increase funds to provide a one-time salary supplement of $2,000 to full-time, regular state employees.
$12,050,341
Increase funds for additional correctional officer positions to improve staff to offender ratios based on improved retention.
$4,982,902
Provide funds for start-up costs for three security threat group regional coordinators. +3
$137,802
Provide funds for start-up costs for six canine handlers. +6
$964,650
Increase funds for managed access and drone detection systems to prevent contraband in facilities.
$13,387,475
Provide funds for a pilot program at Autry State Prison to provide for peer led programming.
Autry State Prison
$150,000
Increase funds for additional programming at Metro Reentry Facility.
Metro Reentry Facility
$93,179
Provide funds for required staff needed to meet accreditation requirements to operate a high school diploma program.
$93,672
Provide funds for operations at five modular correctional units.
$880,104
Increase funds for operations at Lee Arrendale State Prison.
Lee Arrendale State Prison
$1,542,179
Provide funds for the purchase of public safety supplies and equipment.
$2,450,500
Increase funds for rent at the Arnall North Basic Correctional Officer Training Building.
$14,000
Total Change +9 positions
$36,746,804
Transition Centers
Increase funds to provide a one-time salary supplement of $2,000 to full-time, regular state employees.
$828,905
Increase funds for rent at the LaGrange and Clayton Transition Centers.
LaGrange TC / Clayton TC
$47,197
Total Change
$876,102
FY 2027 Proposed Budget Changes
Departmental Administration (DOC)
Reflect an adjustment to agency premiums for Department of Administrative Services administered insurance programs.
($37,154)
Reflect an adjustment in telecommunications and infrastructure rates for the Georgia Technology Authority.
($20,748)
Reflect an adjustment for GA@Work billings to meet projected expenditures.
$5,304
Reduce funds to reflect a reduction in the employer contribution rate for the State Health Benefit Plan from 29.454% to 20.264%.
($1,584,390)
Total Change
($1,636,988)
Detention Centers
Reflect an adjustment to agency premiums for Department of Administrative Services administered insurance programs.
($78,495)
Reflect an adjustment in telecommunications and infrastructure rates for the Georgia Technology Authority.
($15,746)
Provide funds to enhance the retirement benefit for select POST certified law enforcement officers who are members of the Georgia State Employees' Pension and Savings Plan (GSEPS) by increasing employer contribution to the savings plan.
$275,818
Reflect an adjustment for GA@Work billings to meet projected expenditures.
$14,117
Reduce funds to reflect a reduction in the employer contribution rate for the State Health Benefit Plan from 29.454% to 20.264%.
($3,347,325)
Total Change
($3,151,631)
Food and Farm Operations
Reflect an adjustment to agency premiums for Department of Administrative Services administered insurance programs.
($1,855)
Reflect an adjustment in telecommunications and infrastructure rates for the Georgia Technology Authority.
($282)
Provide funds to enhance the retirement benefit for select POST certified law enforcement officers who are members of the Georgia State Employees' Pension and Savings Plan (GSEPS) by increasing employer contribution to the savings plan.
$5,851
Reflect an adjustment for GA@Work billings to meet projected expenditures.
$479
Reduce funds to reflect a reduction in the employer contribution rate for the State Health Benefit Plan from 29.454% to 20.264%.
($79,091)
Increase funds for food services at four modular correctional units.
$364,749
Total Change
$289,851
Health
Increase funds for the Teachers Retirement System to reflect an increase in the actuarially determined employer contribution from 21.91% to 22.32%.
$149
Reflect an adjustment to agency premiums for Department of Administrative Services administered insurance programs.
($4,700)
Reflect an adjustment in telecommunications and infrastructure rates for the Georgia Technology Authority.
($4,670)
Reflect an adjustment for GA@Work billings to meet projected expenditures.
$1,137
Reduce funds to reflect a reduction in the employer contribution rate for the State Health Benefit Plan from 29.454% to 20.264%.
($200,420)
Increase funds for the physical health contract for a per diem increase ($23,627,395) and to reflect the opening of additional beds ($24,253,500).
$47,880,895
Increase funds for the mental health contract to increase staffing ratios.
$1,917,644
Increase funds for the dental health contract to increase staffing ratios.
$1,498,347
Increase funds for the pharmacy contract for a per diem increase.
$3,681,328
Total Change
$54,769,710
Offender Management
Reflect an adjustment to agency premiums for Department of Administrative Services administered insurance programs.
($5,459)
Reflect an adjustment in telecommunications and infrastructure rates for the Georgia Technology Authority.
($3,125)
Reflect an adjustment for GA@Work billings to meet projected expenditures.
$1,157
Reduce funds to reflect a reduction in the employer contribution rate for the State Health Benefit Plan from 29.454% to 20.264%.
($232,782)
Increase funds for maintenance and support of the inmate assignment decision support system.
$257,800
Total Change
$17,591
Private Prisons
Increase funds for Jenkins Correctional Institution and Riverbend Correctional Institution to fully utilize available beds at correct tier rate added in HB68 (2025 Session).
Jenkins CI / Riverbend CI
$1,054,637
Increase funds to add 160 private prison beds at Coffee Correctional Institution and 103 private prison beds at Wheeler Correctional Institution.
Coffee CI / Wheeler CI
$4,227,620
Total Change
$5,282,257
State Prisons
Increase funds for the Teachers Retirement System to reflect an increase in the actuarially determined employer contribution from 21.91% to 22.32%.
$776
Reflect an adjustment to agency premiums for Department of Administrative Services administered insurance programs.
($665,416)
Reflect an adjustment in telecommunications and infrastructure rates for the Georgia Technology Authority.
($151,445)
Provide funds to enhance the retirement benefit for select POST certified law enforcement officers who are members of the Georgia State Employees' Pension and Savings Plan (GSEPS) by increasing employer contribution to the savings plan.
$2,095,612
Reflect an adjustment for GA@Work billings to meet projected expenditures.
$170,066
Reduce funds to reflect a reduction in the employer contribution rate for the State Health Benefit Plan from 29.454% to 20.264%.
($28,375,825)
Increase funds for additional correctional officer positions to improve staff to offender ratios based on improved retention.
$26,824,134
Provide funds for three security threat group regional coordinators. +3
$377,168
Increase funds for six canine handlers. +6
$624,652
Provide funds for five managed access analysts. +5
$409,040
Increase funds to annualize personnel for the Over Watch and Logistics (OWL) Unit.
$1,238,495
Increase funds for additional technology costs for the Over Watch and Logistics (OWL) Unit to enhance safety, security, and technology.
$5,521,230
Increase funds for additional programming at Metro Reentry Facility.
Metro Reentry Facility
$39,786
Provide funds for required staff needed to meet accreditation requirements to operate a high school diploma program.
$953,033
Provide funds for operations at five modular correctional units.
$1,760,207
Increase funds for operations at Lee Arrendale State Prison.
Lee Arrendale State Prison
$1,542,179
Increase funds for rent at the Arnall North Basic Correctional Officer Training Building.
$14,000
Increase funds for food contracts.
$528,167
Utilize existing funds ($10,793,600) for managed access and drone detection systems to prevent contraband in facilities.
Non-monetary
Total Change +14 positions
$12,905,859
Transition Centers
Reflect an adjustment to agency premiums for Department of Administrative Services administered insurance programs.
($43,567)
Reflect an adjustment in telecommunications and infrastructure rates for the Georgia Technology Authority.
($9,604)
Provide funds to enhance the retirement benefit for select POST certified law enforcement officers who are members of the Georgia State Employees' Pension and Savings Plan (GSEPS) by increasing employer contribution to the savings plan.
$151,718
Reflect an adjustment for GA@Work billings to meet projected expenditures.
$7,138
Reduce funds to reflect a reduction in the employer contribution rate for the State Health Benefit Plan from 29.454% to 20.264%.
($1,857,844)
Increase funds for rent at the LaGrange and Clayton Transition Centers.
LaGrange TC / Clayton TC
$47,197
Total Change
($1,704,962)
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GDC Statistics Death Records Policy Library Resources
Source: Governor's Budget Report, Amended FY 2026 and FY 2027
Data available via API: /wp-json/gps-budget-data/v1/
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