Norway’s recidivism rate is 25%. America’s is 71%. Georgia doesn’t even track rehabilitation outcomes. Georgia’s prisons focus on punishment, not rehabilitation—and the results are predictable. 70% of inmates have serious mental health needs, most untreated. Programs that reduce recidivism by 43% are defunded while Georgia spends $60,000 per inmate on warehousing. Rehabilitation works. Georgia chooses not to try it. 1
Punishment vs. Rehabilitation
The numbers prove which approach works:
- Norway’s recidivism: 25%—after 5 years, with rehabilitation focus
- U.S. recidivism: 71%—after 5 years, with punishment focus
- Education reduces recidivism 43%—Georgia cuts education funding
- $4-5 saved per $1 invested—rehabilitation costs less than incarceration
Georgia spends billions on a system designed to fail, then acts surprised when people reoffend.
What Rehabilitation Requires
Programs that reduce recidivism include:
- Mental health treatment—addressing root causes of criminal behavior
- Education programs—skills that lead to employment
- Vocational training—job readiness upon release
- Reentry support—help transitioning to community
Pennsylvania’s “Little Scandinavia” program, inspired by Nordic models, shows these approaches work in American prisons.
Georgia’s Mental Health Crisis
Georgia ignores the root causes of crime:
- 70% of inmates—have serious mental health needs
- Most untreated—no staff to provide care
- No therapy programs—defunded or understaffed
- Release without treatment—predictable reoffending
House Bill 233 expanded mental health treatment options, but without resources, it’s empty policy.
The Choice Georgia Makes
Georgia continues to choose:
- Punishment over rehabilitation—despite evidence
- Recidivism over success—71% reoffend
- Expense over savings—rehabilitation costs less
- Danger over safety—untreated people released
The evidence for rehabilitation is overwhelming. Georgia ignores it.
Take Action
Use Impact Justice AI to send advocacy emails demanding rehabilitation-focused prison reform in Georgia. The free tool crafts personalized messages to Georgia lawmakers—no experience required.
Demand:
- Funding for mental health treatment in prisons
- Education and vocational training programs
- Reentry support services
- Outcome tracking for rehabilitation programs
Further Reading
- How Prison Education Lowers Recidivism Costs
- The Fight for Decarceration: Georgia’s Path to Prison Reform
- 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.
- GPS Statistics, https://gps.press/gdc-statistics/[↩]
1 thought on “Rehabilitation vs. Punishment: Redefining Georgia’s Prison System”