GPS RESEARCH LIBRARY: DOAA State Auditor audits of GDC, 2004–2025 (from the 2026-09-02 Georgia Archives / audits.ga.gov pull) ============================================================ Georgia Prisoners' Speak — gps.press Generated: 2026-09-11 12:45:48 EDT Research Date: 2026-09-02 Topic: Oversight & Audits JSON: https://gps.press/research-data/doaa-state-auditor-audits-of-gdc-20042025-from-the-2026-09-02-georgia-archives-auditsgagov-pull/?format=json SUMMARY ---------------------------------------- This GPS compilation catalogs Department of Audits and Accounts (DOAA) performance audits touching the Georgia Department of Corrections from 1971–2025, drawing on 82 online PDFs and Georgia Archives box-only records. Key findings include severe gaps in inmate death review (only 30 of 233 non-execution deaths in 2005–06 had evidence of mortality review), high correctional officer turnover (29% in FY2013), and projected prison bed utilization exceeding 97.5% of standard capacity by FY2023. The document also flags a critical methodological caution: the 2018 Bed Demand report's Appendix C inventories operational beds, not original design capacity, and should not be used as a design-capacity source. STATISTICS (16) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Only 30 of 233 inmate deaths had mortality review evidence (2005-06) Only 30 of 233 inmate deaths in 2005–06 (excluding executions) had evidence of a mortality review; OHS could not locate medical files for 86 of the 203 unreviewed deaths. Value: 30.0 deaths with mortality review evidence (vs. 233 total inmate deaths excluding executions) Tags: death,medical,oversight,data_gap Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Care Follow-up (2007-08) - [reported] Medical files missing for 86 unreviewed deaths OHS could not locate medical files for 86 of the 203 unreviewed deaths in 2005–06. Value: 86.0 missing medical files (vs. 203 unreviewed deaths) Tags: death,medical,data_gap,oversight Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Care Follow-up (2007-08) - [estimated] Health costs projected to reach $278M by FY2011 Health costs projected $278M by FY2011 vs $179M in FY2006, driven by catastrophic cases. Value: 278.0 million dollars (vs. 179 FY2006 health costs in millions) Tags: medical,budget Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Care Follow-up (2007-08) - [reported] FY2013 correctional officer turnover rate 29% GDC CO turnover 29% in FY2013 = ~2,109 new hires, ~$19.3M in hiring/certification cost; entry salary $24,322. Value: 29.0 percent turnover Tags: staffing,budget,operations Sources: DOAA State Corrections and Community Officers Audit (2013-12) - [estimated] FY2013 correctional officer new hires approximately 2,109 GDC CO turnover in FY2013 resulted in approximately 2,109 new hires. Value: 2109.0 new hires Tags: staffing,operations Sources: DOAA State Corrections and Community Officers Audit (2013-12) - [estimated] FY2013 correctional officer hiring/certification cost $19.3M GDC spent approximately $19.3M in hiring/certification cost for correctional officers in FY2013. Value: 19.3 million dollars Tags: staffing,budget Sources: DOAA State Corrections and Community Officers Audit (2013-12) - [reported] FY2013 correctional officer entry salary $24,322 Entry salary for GDC correctional officers was $24,322 in FY2013. Value: 24322.0 dollars Tags: staffing,budget Sources: DOAA State Corrections and Community Officers Audit (2013-12) - [reported] FY2018 average daily population 50,012 FY2018 ADP 50,012 (75% state prisons / 15.6% private / 9.4% CCIs). Value: 50012.0 inmates Tags: demographics,facilities,operations Sources: DOAA Bed Demand & Agency Strategy Report (2018-12) - [reported] FY2018 state prison share of ADP 75% 75% of FY2018 ADP was in state prisons. Value: 75.0 percent Tags: facilities,demographics Sources: DOAA Bed Demand & Agency Strategy Report (2018-12) - [reported] FY2018 private prison share of ADP 15.6% 15.6% of FY2018 ADP was in private prisons. Value: 15.6 percent Tags: facilities,demographics Sources: DOAA Bed Demand & Agency Strategy Report (2018-12) - [reported] FY2018 county correctional institution share of ADP 9.4% 9.4% of FY2018 ADP was in county correctional institutions (CCIs). Value: 9.4 percent Tags: facilities,demographics Sources: DOAA Bed Demand & Agency Strategy Report (2018-12) - [estimated] Projected 5-year ADP growth of 1,277 inmates (2.5%) Projected +1,277 (2.5%) in 5 years → >97.5% of standard beds filled, some sub-populations ≥100%. Value: 1277.0 inmates (vs. 2.5 percent growth) Tags: facilities,operations,demographics Sources: DOAA Bed Demand & Agency Strategy Report (2018-12) - [estimated] FY2005 approximately 19,000 state inmates in county jails ~19,000 state inmates held in 149 county jails in FY2005; $20/day per diem from day 16. Value: 19000.0 inmates Tags: facilities,operations,budget Sources: DOAA County Jail Subsidy Program Audit (2005-11) - [reported] FY2005 county jail per diem $20/day from day 16 County jails received $20/day per diem for state inmates from day 16 of confinement. Value: 20.0 dollars per day Tags: budget,operations,facilities Sources: DOAA County Jail Subsidy Program Audit (2005-11) - [reported] FY2008 inmate health contract deficit $15M FY2008 deficit $15M for the GRU/Georgia Correctional HealthCare contract. Value: 15.0 million dollars Tags: medical,budget Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [reported] Staffing, direct care, pharmaceuticals = 96% of health spend Staffing + direct care + pharmaceuticals = 96% of spend under the inmate health contract. Value: 96.0 percent Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: medical,budget,staffing Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) FINDINGS (24) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Mortality reviews stopped late 2005 citing 9th Circuit case Reviews stopped late 2005 citing a 9th Circuit case; a committee was re-established May 2006. Tags: death,medical,oversight,legal Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Care Follow-up (2007-08) - [reported] Executive mortality reviews deteriorated considerably Clinical audits, executive mortality reviews and expert recommendations 'deteriorated considerably' after central OHS staff cuts. Date: 2007-01-01 Tags: death,medical,oversight,staffing Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Care Follow-up (2007-08) - [reported] Population growth outpaced direct-care staff Population growth outpaced direct-care staff in inmate health care. Date: 2007-01-01 Tags: medical,staffing Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Care Follow-up (2007-08) - [reported] OHS had extensive management control system for 54,000+ inmates OHS had 'an extensive management control system' for 54,000+ inmates, but 'quality … is threatened by decreasing staffing levels that are a result of budget constraints.' Date: 2004-01-01 Tags: medical,staffing,budget,conditions Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Care Program Evaluation (2004-10) - [estimated] Projected bed utilization exceeds 97.5% of standard beds Projected bed utilization would exceed 97.5% of standard beds filled, with some sub-populations at or above 100%. Tags: facilities,operations,conditions Sources: DOAA Bed Demand & Agency Strategy Report (2018-12) - [reported] Inmate health contract set from prior-year spend GRU/Georgia Correctional HealthCare contract since 1997; contract set from prior-year spend, no projection formula. Tags: medical,budget,operations Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [reported] Health contract expenses 35% higher in June, 25% lower in July Expenses 35% higher in June, 25% lower in July under the inmate health contract. Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: medical,budget,operations Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [reported] No parts inventories at any of 6 prisons visited No parts inventories at any of 6 prisons visited; deferred-maintenance cost unknown. Date: 2012-01-01 Tags: facilities,operations,data_gap Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [reported] Maintenance cost/activity tracking still weak in 2014 follow-up Follow-up 2014: cost/activity tracking still weak for state prison maintenance. Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: facilities,operations,data_gap Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [reported] Virtual offices produced no net savings for probation GDC's use of virtual offices produced no net savings for probation. Date: 2013-01-01 Tags: operations,budget,probation Sources: DOAA GDC Virtual Offices Audit (2013-12) - [reported] Georgia Correctional Industries hit by external factors External factors hit GCI profitability and cash reserves. Date: 2010-01-01 Tags: operations,budget Sources: DOAA Georgia Correctional Industries Audit (2010-03) - [reported] Probation risk assessment standards revised by 2012 Probation operations risk assessment/supervision standards were revised by 2012 follow-up. Tags: probation,policy,operations Sources: DOAA Probation Operations Audit (2009-12) - [reported] Misdemeanor probation private providers partially addressed Misdemeanor probation operations involving private providers and courts; follow-up 2016 found recommendations partially addressed. Tags: probation,operations,policy Sources: DOAA Misdemeanor Probation Operations Audit (2014-04) - [confirmed] Box-only DOAA audits span 1972–2001 Box-only DOAA performance audits at Georgia Archives span 1972–2001, including 1984 Health Care Services Program, 1994 Inmate Physical Health Care Program, 1995 Telephone Commissions, and 1998 Mental Health Services Contract. Tags: medical,mental_health,operations,archives Sources: Georgia Archives Finding Aid Series 019-01-025 - [confirmed] DJJ health care audits 2005 and 2007 DJJ health care audits exist from 2005 and 2007. Tags: medical,operations Sources: GPS DOAA Compilation (2026-09-02) - [confirmed] DJJ security staffing audits 2014 and 2016 DJJ security staffing audits exist from 2014 and 2016. Tags: staffing,operations Sources: GPS DOAA Compilation (2026-09-02) - [confirmed] DJJ incident response audit 2023 DJJ incident response audit exists from 2023. Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: operations,investigations Sources: GPS DOAA Compilation (2026-09-02) - [confirmed] Opioid MAT access audit 2017 Opioid MAT (medication-assisted treatment) access audit exists from 2017. Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: drugs,medical,mental_health Sources: GPS DOAA Compilation (2026-09-02) - [confirmed] Adult-Felony Drug Courts audit 2010 Adult-Felony Drug Courts audit exists from 2010. Date: 2010-01-01 Tags: drugs,legal,operations Sources: GPS DOAA Compilation (2026-09-02) - [confirmed] Sexual Offender Registry audits 2010 and 2012 Sexual Offender Registry audits exist from 2010 and 2012. Tags: legal,operations Sources: GPS DOAA Compilation (2026-09-02) - [confirmed] Work Release Program follow-up 2004 Work Release Program review from July 2001 had a follow-up in 2004. Tags: reentry,operations,policy Sources: DOAA Work Release Program Audit (2005-04) - [confirmed] Victim notification forms audit 2005 Notification Request Forms audit involving Pardons & Paroles and GDC covered victim-notification forms. Date: 2005-01-01 Tags: legal,operations,policy Sources: DOAA Notification Request Forms Audit (2005-05) - [reported] County jail subsidy critique of jailer counts vs GDC backlog County Jail Subsidy Program audit critiqued jailers' counts vs GDC's backlog. Date: 2005-01-01 Tags: operations,data_gap,facilities Sources: DOAA County Jail Subsidy Program Audit (2005-11) - [reported] FY2016 follow-up: raises funded but turnover still high Follow-up 2016 (16-03): raises funded, turnover still high for state corrections and community officers. Date: 2016-01-01 Tags: staffing,budget,operations Sources: DOAA State Corrections and Community Officers Audit (2013-12) POLICYS (1) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Six-facility expansion plan cost $1.0–15.0M each Six-facility expansion plan ($1.0–15.0M each). Date: 2018-01-01 Tags: facilities,budget,policy Sources: DOAA Bed Demand & Agency Strategy Report (2018-12) METHODOLOGY NOTES (2) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Appendix C inventories operational beds not design capacity Appendix C of the 2018 Bed Demand report inventories OPERATIONAL beds by type, not original design capacity; it must not be read as a design-capacity source. Date: 2018-01-01 Tags: facilities,methodology,data_gap Sources: DOAA Bed Demand & Agency Strategy Report (2018-12); GPS DOAA Compilation (2026-09-02) - [reported] 10-year reconciliation of health appropriations vs expenditures Information on Inmate Health Care Cost Projections included 10-year reconciliation of appropriations vs expenditures and GDC's projection method vs other states. Date: 2007-01-01 Tags: medical,budget,methodology Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Care Cost Projections (2007-11) DATA GAPS (6) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Unreliable maintenance data in state prisons Unreliable maintenance data; deferred-maintenance cost unknown. Date: 2012-01-01 Tags: facilities,operations,data_gap Sources: DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02) - [confirmed] No DOAA financial single audit of GDC found online No DOAA financial (single) audit of GDC surfaced in the online search; agency financial audits live in Archives series 019-01-002 (Annual Audit Reports 1924–2008) and 019-02 (Financial Audits Division). Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: budget,data_gap,operations Sources: GPS DOAA Compilation (2026-09-02) - [confirmed] 1984 Health Care Services Program audit box-only 1984 Health Care Services Program audit exists only in box form at Georgia Archives. Date: 1984-01-01 Tags: medical,archives,data_gap Sources: Georgia Archives Finding Aid Series 019-01-025 - [confirmed] 1994 Inmate Physical Health Care Program audit box-only 1994 Inmate Physical Health Care Program audit exists only in box form at Georgia Archives. Date: 1994-01-01 Tags: medical,archives,data_gap Sources: Georgia Archives Finding Aid Series 019-01-025 - [confirmed] 1995 Telephone Commissions audit box-only 1995 Telephone Commissions audit exists only in box form at Georgia Archives. Date: 1995-01-01 Tags: operations,budget,archives,data_gap Sources: Georgia Archives Finding Aid Series 019-01-025 - [confirmed] 1998 Mental Health Services Contract audit box-only 1998 Selection Process & Effect of the Mental Health Services Contract audit exists only in box form at Georgia Archives. Date: 1998-01-01 Tags: mental_health,medical,archives,data_gap Sources: Georgia Archives Finding Aid Series 019-01-025 DATASETS (2) ---------------------------------------- # DOAA GDC-related performance audits (online PDFs, 2004–2018) Chronological list of DOAA performance audits touching GDC available as online PDFs, with page counts and key findings. Date Report Pages Key Finding --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2004-10 Inmate Health Care (program evaluation) 88 OHS had extensive management control system for 54,000+ inmates but quality threatened by decreasing staffing from budget constraints 2005-04 Work Release Program (July 2001) 12 Early-2000s review; follow-up 2004 2005-05 Notification Request Forms (Pardons & Paroles / GDC) 2 Victim-notification forms 2005-11 County Jail Subsidy Program (Senate Appropriations request) 32 ~19,000 state inmates in 149 county jails FY2005; $20/day per diem from day 16; critique of jailers' counts vs GDC backlog 2007-08 Inmate Health Care — follow-up 22 Only 30 of 233 inmate deaths 2005-06 had mortality review evidence; 86 medical files missing; reviews stopped late 2005 2007-11 Information on Inmate Health Care Cost Projections (Senate request) 6 10-year reconciliation of appropriations vs expenditures 2009-12 Probation Operations 34 Risk assessment/supervision standards; follow-up 2012 found standards revised 2010-03 Georgia Correctional Industries 7 External factors hit GCI profitability and cash reserves 2012-02 Maintenance of State Prisons 28 Unreliable maintenance data; no parts inventories at 6 prisons; deferred-maintenance cost unknown 2013-12 State Corrections and Community Officers (13-21) CO turnover 29% FY2013; ~2,109 new hires; ~$19.3M hiring/certification cost; entry salary $24,322 2013-12 GDC's Use of Virtual Offices 26 No net savings for probation 2014-04 Misdemeanor Probation Operations (12-06) 73 Private providers + courts; follow-up 2016 partially addressed 2014-12 Inmate Health Contract (14-12) 28 GRU/Georgia Correctional HealthCare contract since 1997; FY2008 deficit $15M; staffing+direct care+pharmaceuticals=96% of spend 2018-12 GDC — Requested Information on Bed Demand & Agency Strategy (House Appropriations) 38 FY2018 ADP 50,012; projected +1,277 in 5 years; >97.5% standard beds filled; Appendix C inventory of every facility # DOAA box-only performance audits at Georgia Archives (1972–2001) Box-only DOAA performance audits touching corrections, listed by year and topic, held in Georgia Archives series 019-01-025. Year Audit Topic -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1972 Dept. of Offender Rehabilitation 1973 Stone Mountain CI, Lowndes CCI, Wayne CCI, Putnam CCI, GCI, DOR Industrial Institute 1975 Probation and Parole Program 1976 Food Processing & Distribution 1977 Pre-Release Program, GCI 1980 Central Correctional Institution, Youth Offender Program 1982 Food processing, Correctional Services (DOL) 1983 Training & Staff Development 1984 Health Care Services Program 1985 Probation Operations 1986 Pardons & Paroles Field Operations 1988 Diversion Center Program, County Subsidy 1989 Per Diem, Fees and Contracts 1992 Victim Restitution 1994 GCI Oversight, Inmate Physical Health Care Program 1995 Telephone Commissions, Inmate Construction Program 1996 Parolee Supervision 1998 Selection Process & Effect of the Mental Health Services Contract 2001 Work Release KEY ENTITIES (14) ---------------------------------------- - Central Correctional Institution [facility]: Correctional institution audited in 1980 (box-only). - Department of Audits and Accounts [organization]: Georgia state agency that conducts performance audits and financial audits of state entities including GDC. (aka: DOAA, State Auditor) - Department of Offender Rehabilitation [organization]: Predecessor agency to GDC, audited in 1972 and 1973 (box-only). (aka: DOR) - Georgia Archives [organization]: Located in Morrow, GA. Houses records of the Georgia Principal Keeper of the Penitentiary including convict registers, death records, lease agreements, and inspection reports spanning 1817–1937 - Georgia Correctional HealthCare [organization]: Division of Augusta University that provided medical services to GDC from 1998 to 2021 under approximately $190 million annual contract (aka: GCHC) - Georgia Correctional Industries [organization]: Manufacturing operation within GDC where inmates perform factory work in manufacturing plants. - 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 Department of Juvenile Justice [organization]: Georgia state agency responsible for juvenile corrections, received portion of VOI/TIS grant funds for bed construction. (aka: DJJ) - Lowndes County Correctional Institution [facility]: County correctional institution audited in 1973 (box-only). (aka: Lowndes CCI) - Office of Health Services [organization]: GDC office responsible for inmate health care management and oversight. (aka: OHS) - Putnam County Correctional Institution [facility]: County correctional institution audited in 1973 (box-only). (aka: Putnam CCI) - State Board of Pardons and Paroles [organization]: Georgia state entity that serves as a reporting entity for sexual abuse allegations in prisons - Stone Mountain Correctional Institution [facility]: Correctional institution audited in 1973 (box-only). (aka: Stone Mountain CI) - Wayne County Correctional Institution [facility]: County correctional institution audited in 1973 (box-only). (aka: Wayne CCI) SOURCES (16) ---------------------------------------- - DOAA Bed Demand & Agency Strategy Report (2018-12), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2018-12-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/21679 - DOAA County Jail Subsidy Program Audit (2005-11), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2005-11-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/4147 - DOAA GDC Virtual Offices Audit (2013-12), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2013-12-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/16643 - DOAA Georgia Correctional Industries Audit (2010-03), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2010-03-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/10457 - DOAA Inmate Health Care Cost Projections (2007-11), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2007-11-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/7245 - DOAA Inmate Health Care Follow-up (2007-08), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2007-08-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/6961 - DOAA Inmate Health Care Program Evaluation (2004-10), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2004-10-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/8163 - DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2014-12-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/17503 - DOAA Maintenance of State Prisons Audit (2012-02), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2012-02-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/14432 - DOAA Misdemeanor Probation Operations Audit (2014-04), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2014-04-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/17036 - DOAA Notification Request Forms Audit (2005-05), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2005-05-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/1763 - DOAA Probation Operations Audit (2009-12), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2009-12-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/10117 - DOAA State Corrections and Community Officers Audit (2013-12), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2013-12-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/16667 - DOAA Work Release Program Audit (2005-04), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2005-04-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/1513 - Georgia Archives Finding Aid Series 019-01-025, Georgia Archives by Georgia Archives [official_report, primary] - GPS DOAA Compilation (2026-09-02), Georgia Prisoners' Speak by GPS Workshop (2026-09-02) [gps_original, secondary]