GPS RESEARCH LIBRARY: 2026 Georgia Statewide Candidates: Criminal Justice & Prison Reform Positions ============================================================ Georgia Prisoners' Speak — gps.press Generated: 2026-04-03 10:23:56 EDT Research Date: 2026-03-14 Topic: 2026 Elections & Criminal Justice JSON: https://gps.press/research-data/2026-georgia-statewide-candidates-criminal-justice-prison-reform-positions/?format=json SUMMARY ---------------------------------------- This GPS voter education guide analyzes criminal justice and prison reform positions of 30+ candidates in Georgia's 2026 statewide races (Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General). The guide finds that only 3 candidates across all races have detailed prison reform positions: Jake Olinger (R-Gov), Josh McLaurin (D-Lt.Gov), and Tanya Miller (D-AG). The four leading Republican gubernatorial candidates have collectively offered zero positions on prison conditions, parole reform, GDC oversight, or the DOJ investigation despite $700M in spending with worsening outcomes, and the Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner has not prioritized prison reform. FINDINGS (8) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Only 3 of 30+ statewide candidates have detailed prison reform positions Only 3 of 30+ statewide candidates have detailed prison reform positions: Jake Olinger (R-Gov), Josh McLaurin (D-Lt.Gov), Tanya Miller (D-AG). Date: 2026-03-14 Tags: policy,parole,conditions,legal Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [confirmed] Four leading GOP gubernatorial candidates have zero positions on prison conditions or DOJ investigation The 4 leading Republican gubernatorial candidates (Jones, Jackson, Carr, Raffensperger) have collectively offered ZERO positions on prison conditions, parole reform, GDC oversight, or the DOJ investigation — despite $700M in spending with worsening outcomes. Date: 2026-03-14 Tags: policy,conditions,parole,investigations,budget Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [confirmed] Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Bottoms has not prioritized prison reform The Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner (Keisha Lance Bottoms) has relevant experience but has not prioritized prison reform in her 2026 campaign. No specific positions on prison conditions, parole reform, GDC oversight, sentencing reform, or DOJ findings. Date: 2026-03-14 Tags: policy,conditions,parole Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Rick Jackson $50M self-funder with no prison healthcare positions Rick Jackson is a healthcare executive (Jackson Healthcare, $3B+ revenue) and late entry to the race in February 2026 with $50M in self-funding. Despite being a healthcare executive with direct expertise on the prison healthcare crisis ($432M GDC health budget), he has offered no positions on prison healthcare or conditions. Date: 2026-02-01 Tags: medical,budget,policy,conditions Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Chris Carr as AG would negotiate DOJ consent decree but has taken no position on it As Attorney General, Chris Carr would negotiate a DOJ consent decree regarding Georgia prison conditions, but he has taken no position on the matter. Date: 2026-03-14 Tags: legal,investigations,conditions,policy Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Brenda Nelson-Porter: only Republican Lt. Gov. candidate with prison reform positions Brenda Nelson-Porter is the only Republican Lt. Governor candidate with prison reform positions. She advocates that prison food is 'insufficient'; Senate study committees on nutrition and medical care; making parole more accessible for trade program participants; '#ParoleeConnect' rideshare program; earned time credits for literacy programs. Date: 2026-03-14 Tags: conditions,medical,parole,reentry,policy Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [confirmed] Only Olinger committed to appointing Parole Board members who will increase grant rates The Governor appoints the entire Parole Board. Only Jake Olinger has committed to appointing Board members who will increase grant rates, including a formerly incarcerated person. Date: 2026-03-14 Tags: parole,policy Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [confirmed] Only Tanya Miller has addressed the DOJ consent decree among AG candidates The next Attorney General will negotiate any DOJ consent decree regarding Georgia prison conditions. Only Tanya Miller has addressed this responsibility. Date: 2026-03-14 Tags: legal,investigations,conditions,policy Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide CASE DETAILS (5) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Burt Jones exclusively punitive legislative record Burt Jones has an exclusively punitive record. Led passage of SB 44 (2023, gang mandatory minimums), SB 63 (2024, expanded cash bail), fentanyl mandatory minimum increases, SB 185 (2025, transgender prisoner care ban). Has 60+ sheriff endorsements. NO positions on prison conditions, parole reform, GDC oversight, rehabilitation, staffing crisis, or DOJ findings. Tags: policy,legal,gangs,drugs,conditions Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Geoff Duncan sponsored SB 441 (Criminal Record Responsibility Act) Former Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan sponsored SB 441 (Criminal Record Responsibility Act) and passed hate crimes legislation in 2020. He switched from Republican to Democrat for the 2026 race. Date: 2020-01-01 Tags: legal,policy,reentry Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Blake Tillery led budget process for $600M prison spending Blake Tillery, Senate Appropriations Chair, led the budget process for $600M in prison spending and authored SB 39 (transgender prisoner care ban). Has 62 sheriff endorsements. No prison reform positions. Tags: budget,facilities,policy Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [confirmed] Josh McLaurin most documented legislative record on prison reform Josh McLaurin has the most documented legislative record on prison reform of any statewide candidate. Co-chaired 2021 House Democratic Caucus Committee investigating prison crisis. Sponsored voting rights restoration for felony convictions (HB 101, HR 28, SB 179) — affecting approximately 200,000 people. Voted NO on SB 63 (cash bail expansion). Voted NO on SB 79 (fentanyl sentences) — one of only 3 senators opposing. Advocates increased parole as 'evidence-based safety valve.' Regularly attends Parole Board meetings. Opposed new prison construction. Mentor: Stephen B. Bright, Southern Center for Human Rights. Tags: parole,legal,policy,conditions,reentry Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Tanya Miller: most reform-oriented AG candidate Tanya Miller is the most reform-oriented AG candidate. Former prosecutor (Fulton County Homicide Unit, Crimes Against Women/Children) and current civil rights attorney. Pledges to 'decrease the amount of people entangled in our criminal justice system.' Committed to healthcare for incarcerated and parolees. Stands 'firm against efforts that would criminalize lower income, young, and Black Georgians.' As AG would negotiate DOJ consent decree. Date: 2026-03-14 Tags: legal,medical,policy,investigations,conditions Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide STATISTICS (14) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Jones has 60+ sheriff endorsements Burt Jones has received 60+ sheriff endorsements as the Trump-endorsed frontrunner in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Value: 60.0 sheriff endorsements (60+) Date: 2026-03-14 Tags: policy,operations Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Jackson Healthcare revenue exceeds $3B Jackson Healthcare, the company associated with gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson, has $3B+ in revenue. Value: 3.0 billion dollars revenue (3B+) Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: medical,budget Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Chris Carr Gang Prosecution Unit: 120+ convictions Attorney General Chris Carr created a Gang Prosecution Unit that has achieved 120+ convictions. Value: 120.0 convictions (120+) Date: 2026-03-14 Tags: gangs,legal,operations Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Chris Carr Human Trafficking Unit: 60+ convictions Attorney General Chris Carr created a Human Trafficking Unit that has achieved 60+ convictions. Value: 60.0 convictions (60+) Date: 2026-03-14 Tags: legal,operations Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Carr has 53 sheriff endorsements Attorney General Chris Carr has received 53 sheriff endorsements in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Value: 53.0 sheriff endorsements Date: 2026-03-14 Tags: policy Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] $600M prison spending opposed by Olinger Jake Olinger opposed $600M in state spending on prisons, arguing Georgia has a failed policy problem rather than a prison space problem. Value: 600.0 million dollars Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: budget,facilities,policy Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Atlanta homicides rose 60% during Bottoms' tenure Atlanta homicides rose 60% during Keisha Lance Bottoms' tenure as mayor, a contested element of her record. Value: 60.0 percent increase Tags: violence Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Bottoms polling at 35% as Democratic frontrunner Keisha Lance Bottoms is the Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner at 35% in polls. Value: 35.0 percent (polling) Date: 2026-03-01 Tags: policy,demographics Sources: Emerson College Polling (March 2026) - [reported] Tillery has 62 sheriff endorsements Blake Tillery has received 62 sheriff endorsements in the Republican Lt. Governor primary. Value: 62.0 sheriff endorsements Date: 2026-03-14 Tags: policy Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [estimated] McLaurin voting rights restoration bills would affect approximately 200,000 people Josh McLaurin sponsored voting rights restoration for felony convictions (HB 101, HR 28, SB 179) that would affect approximately 200,000 people. Value: 200000.0 people affected Tags: legal,reentry,demographics Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] McLaurin was one of only 3 senators voting against SB 79 (fentanyl sentences) Josh McLaurin voted NO on SB 79 (fentanyl sentences) — one of only 3 senators opposing the bill. Value: 3.0 senators opposing Tags: drugs,legal,policy Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] $700M spending with worsening outcomes Despite $700M in spending, outcomes in Georgia prisons have been worsening, yet the four leading Republican gubernatorial candidates have offered no positions on the issue. Value: 700.0 million dollars Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: budget,conditions Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] $432M GDC health budget The GDC health budget is $432M, relevant to the prison healthcare crisis that healthcare executive Rick Jackson has not addressed. Value: 432.0 million dollars Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: medical,budget Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Chase Oliver must gather 78,000+ signatures for ballot access Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver, the 2024 Libertarian presidential nominee, must gather 78,000+ signatures for ballot access in the Georgia governor's race. Value: 78000.0 signatures required (78,000+) Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: legal,policy Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide QUOTES (8) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Chris Carr: 'toughest state in the nation on crime' Chris Carr's stated goal is to make Georgia the 'toughest state in the nation on crime.' He supports mandatory minimum expansion and has 53 sheriff endorsements. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: policy,legal Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Olinger: 'Georgia doesn't have a prison space problem. Georgia has a failed policy problem.' Jake Olinger opposed $600M in prison spending, stating: 'Georgia doesn't have a "prison space problem." Georgia has a failed policy problem.' Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: policy,budget,facilities Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] McLaurin: 'The level of human rights abuses is intolerable' Josh McLaurin stated: 'The level of human rights abuses is intolerable. We want to change the system.' Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: conditions,policy Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] McLaurin: 'locking more people up for longer sentences is taking away their ability to participate in society' Josh McLaurin stated: 'We know that locking more people up for longer sentences is taking away their ability piece by piece to participate in society.' Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: policy,reentry Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Tanya Miller: 'decrease the amount of people entangled in our criminal justice system' Tanya Miller pledges to 'decrease the amount of people entangled in our criminal justice system.' Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: policy,legal Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Brenda Nelson-Porter: prison food is 'insufficient' Republican Lt. Governor candidate Brenda Nelson-Porter advocates that prison food is 'insufficient' and calls for Senate study committees on nutrition and medical care. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: conditions,medical,policy Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Derrick Jackson: 'reimagining community safety from an intersectional perspective' State Representative Derrick Jackson advocates 'reimagining community safety from an intersectional perspective' and addresses the school-to-prison pipeline, but offers no specific policy commitments on parole, sentencing, or conditions. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: policy Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [reported] Tanya Miller: stands 'firm against efforts that would criminalize lower income, young, and Black Georgians' Tanya Miller stands 'firm against efforts that would criminalize lower income, young, and Black Georgians.' Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: policy,demographics,legal Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide POLICYS (2) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Jake Olinger: most detailed reform platform of any candidate Jake Olinger has the most detailed reform platform of any candidate. Includes: appoint Parole Board members to increase grant rates including formerly incarcerated person; require written denial explanations; automatic review for old-law sentences; mandatory timelines; create Independent Oversight Office; mandatory quarterly public reports; unannounced inspections; modify/repeal Truth in Sentencing; reduce mandatory minimums; expand earned time credits; reclassify low-level felonies; cap commissary prices; minimum wage for prison workers. Date: 2026-03-14 Tags: parole,conditions,policy,legal,staffing Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide - [confirmed] Keisha Lance Bottoms banned cash bonds for city ordinance violations as Atlanta mayor As Atlanta mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms banned cash bonds for city ordinance violations. Tags: legal,policy Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide METHODOLOGY NOTES (1) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Qualifying period complete as of March 6, 2026 The qualifying period for 2026 Georgia statewide candidates was complete as of March 6, 2026. The guide was compiled by Georgia Prisoners' Speak on March 14, 2026. Date: 2026-03-06 Tags: policy Sources: GPS 2025 Candidate Guide DATASETS (3) ---------------------------------------- # 2026 Georgia Governor Republican Primary Candidates and Prison Reform Positions Summary of Republican gubernatorial candidates and whether they have documented positions on prison conditions, parole reform, GDC oversight, or DOJ investigation Candidate Description Has Prison Reform Positions Sheriff Endorsements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burt Jones Lt. Governor, Trump-endorsed frontrunner 60+ Rick Jackson Healthcare executive, $50M self-funder N/A Chris Carr Attorney General 53 Brad Raffensperger Secretary of State N/A Jake Olinger Grassroots, first-time candidate 1 N/A Clark Dean No documented positions N/A Gregg Kirkpatrick No documented positions N/A Thomas Williams / Kenneth Yasger No documented positions N/A # 2026 Georgia Governor Democratic Primary Candidates and Prison Reform Positions Summary of Democratic gubernatorial candidates and whether they have documented positions on prison reform Candidate Description Has Prison Reform Positions Polling ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keisha Lance Bottoms Former Atlanta Mayor, frontrunner 35% Geoff Duncan Former Lt. Gov., switched R to D N/A Jason Esteves Former State Senator N/A Mike Thurmond Former DeKalb CEO N/A Derrick Jackson State Representative N/A # Key Punitive Legislation Led or Supported by Republican Candidates (2023-2025) Legislation referenced in candidate records that expanded punitive measures in Georgia Bill Year Subject Associated Candidate ------------------------------------------------------------------- SB 44 2023 Gang mandatory minimums Burt Jones SB 63 2024 Expanded cash bail Burt Jones SB 185 2025 Transgender prisoner care ban Burt Jones SB 39 2025 Transgender prisoner care ban Blake Tillery SB 79 2024 Fentanyl sentences Opposed by McLaurin KEY ENTITIES (38) ---------------------------------------- - Bill Cowsert [person]: State Senator, former Senate Majority Leader, Republican AG candidate. Athens-area, no prison reform positions. - Blake Tillery [person]: Senate Appropriations Chairman who declared 'Prisons are for punishment and rehabilitation — not TikTok' in support of corrections technology spending (aka: Senator Tillery) - Brad Raffensperger [person]: Georgia Secretary of State, Republican gubernatorial candidate with no criminal justice positions - Brenda Nelson-Porter [person]: Marine veteran and consultant, only Republican Lt. Governor candidate with prison reform positions - Brian Strickland [person]: State Senator, Republican AG candidate. Limited documentation, general law-and-order positions. - Burt Jones [person]: Georgia Lt. Governor, Trump-endorsed Republican frontrunner for Governor 2026. Exclusively punitive legislative record. - Chase Oliver [person]: 2024 Libertarian presidential nominee, Libertarian gubernatorial candidate needing 78,000+ signatures for ballot access - Chris Carr [person]: Georgia Attorney General. National leader on cell phone jamming advocacy in prisons, heading coalitions of 23-31 state attorneys general pushing for federal authorization. - David Clark [person]: State Representative, Republican Lt. Governor candidate. Immigration-focused crime framing. - Derrick Jackson [person]: State Representative, Democratic gubernatorial candidate who addresses school-to-prison pipeline - Geoff Duncan [person]: Former Lt. Governor who switched from Republican to Democrat for 2026 gubernatorial race. Sponsored SB 441 and hate crimes legislation. - Georgia Department of Corrections [organization]: State agency responsible for operating Georgia's prison system. Subject of federal DOJ investigation in 2022-2023 for constitutional violations including food-related deaths. (aka: GDC) - Georgia Prisoners' Speak [organization]: Advocacy organization documenting conditions inside Georgia prisons through photos and insider accounts, including food inadequacy. (aka: GPS) - Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles [organization]: Georgia state agency responsible for parole decisions - Greg Dolezal [person]: State Senator, Republican Lt. Governor candidate. No documented positions. - HB 101 [legislation]: Voting rights restoration bill for felony convictions, sponsored by Josh McLaurin - HR 28 [legislation]: Voting rights restoration resolution for felony convictions, sponsored by Josh McLaurin - Jackson Healthcare [organization]: Healthcare company associated with gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson, with $3B+ in revenue - Jake Olinger [person]: Grassroots first-time Republican gubernatorial candidate with the most detailed prison reform platform of any candidate - Jason Esteves [person]: Former State Senator, first Democrat to enter 2026 gubernatorial race. No documented prison reform positions. - John F. Kennedy [person]: Former Senate Pro Tem, Republican Lt. Governor candidate. No prison positions. - Josh McLaurin [person]: State Senator (District 14), Democratic Lt. Governor candidate with the most documented legislative record on prison reform of any statewide candidate - Keisha Lance Bottoms [person]: Former Atlanta Mayor, Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner at 35% in polls. Banned cash bonds as mayor but has not prioritized prison reform in 2026 campaign. - Mike Thurmond [person]: Former DeKalb County CEO and former Georgia Labor Commissioner, Democratic gubernatorial candidate - Rick Jackson [person]: Healthcare executive (Jackson Healthcare), late-entry Republican gubernatorial candidate with $50M self-funding - Robert Trammell [person]: Former House Democratic Minority Leader, rural west Georgia Democrat running for AG. Limited prison-specific positions. - SB 179 [legislation]: Voting rights restoration bill for felony convictions, sponsored by Josh McLaurin - SB 185 [legislation]: 2025 Georgia legislation banning transgender prisoner care, led by Burt Jones - SB 39 [legislation]: Georgia legislation banning transgender prisoner care, authored by Blake Tillery - SB 44 [legislation]: 2023 Georgia legislation establishing gang mandatory minimums, led by Burt Jones - SB 441 [legislation]: 1995 Georgia legislation eliminating parole for seven serious violent crimes (murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, aggravated sexual battery). (aka: Seven Deadly Sins law) - SB 63 [legislation]: 2024 Georgia legislation expanding cash bail, led by Burt Jones. McLaurin voted NO. - SB 79 [legislation]: Georgia legislation on fentanyl sentences. McLaurin was one of only 3 senators to vote against it. - Southern Center for Human Rights [organization]: Legal advocacy organization that investigated food conditions at Gordon County Jail and sent a formal letter to Sheriff Mitch Ralston in October 2014. (aka: SCHR) - Stephen B. Bright [person]: Mentor to Josh McLaurin, associated with the Southern Center for Human Rights - Steve Gooch [person]: Senate Majority Leader, Republican Lt. Governor candidate. General public safety messaging, no prison positions. - Tanya Miller [person]: State Rep and House Democratic Caucus Chair, most reform-oriented Democratic AG candidate. Former Fulton County prosecutor, current civil rights attorney. - U.S. Department of Justice [organization]: Federal agency that published October 2024 findings report on unconstitutional conditions in Georgia prisons. (aka: DOJ) SOURCES (10) ---------------------------------------- - AP (March 14, 2026), Associated Press (2026-03-14) [journalism, secondary] - Atlanta News First, Atlanta News First [journalism, secondary] - Ballotpedia, Ballotpedia (2026-01-01) [data_portal, secondary] - CBS Atlanta (March 10, 2026), CBS Atlanta (2026-03-10) [journalism, secondary] - Emerson College Polling (March 2026), Emerson College (2026-03-01) [official_report, primary] - FOX 5 Atlanta, FOX 5 Atlanta [journalism, secondary] - Georgia Recorder (multiple dates 2025-2026), Georgia Recorder [journalism, secondary] - Georgia Republican Party candidate guide, Georgia Republican Party (2026-01-01) [press_release, primary] - GPS 2025 Candidate Guide, Georgia Prisoners' Speak by Georgia Prisoners' Speak (2026-03-14) [gps_original, primary] URL: https://gps.press/georgias-2026-candidates-on-prison-and-parole-reform/ - Wikipedia 2026 Georgia gubernatorial election, Wikipedia (2026-01-01) [data_portal, tertiary]