GPS RESEARCH LIBRARY: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons: Inventory, Funding Sources, and Institutional Fragility (Research Pass, Aug 2026) ============================================================ Georgia Prisoners' Speak — gps.press Generated: 2026-09-14 13:24:15 EDT Research Date: 2026-08-30 Topic: Rehabilitation Programming JSON: https://gps.press/research-data/evidence-based-and-postsecondary-rehabilitation-programs-in-georgia-prisons-inventory-funding-sources-and-institutional-fragility-research-pass-aug-2026/?format=json SUMMARY ---------------------------------------- This document inventories evidence-based and postsecondary rehabilitation programs in Georgia prisons, finding that GDC operates cognitive-behavioral programs (MRT, T4C) and reentry centers on paper, but nearly all college-in-prison and peer-led programming is funded externally through Pell Grants, private foundations, universities, or nonprofits. The document highlights institutional fragility, with programs like Georgia State University's Prison Education Project and the FORGE peer mentorship program collapsing when funding or individual champions change. Key data points include a 11.4% three-year felony reconviction rate for transition-center releases versus 33.7% for state prisons, and unverified GDC claims of a 'treatment effect of 10' for Faith and Character-Based programs. FINDINGS (10) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] GDC pays no tuition for college-in-prison programs Every college-in-prison and peer-led program in Georgia is funded by federal Pell Grants, private foundations, universities, or nonprofits. GDC's contribution is facility access and approval; GDC pays no tuition. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: policy,operations,facilities Sources: GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] Georgia State University Prison Education Project closure Georgia State University's Prison Education Project (2016–2024) is closing over Pell-compliance costs. The university announced closure in 2024 citing budget shortfall and the administrative cost of meeting federal Pell Prison Education Program rules. Tags: policy,operations,facilities Sources: GPB: Georgia State University pulls the plug on prison education; Inside Higher Ed: Plan to close college-in-prison program prompts heartbreak - [disputed] Allegations of GDC cognitive class irregularities Incarcerated-source reports to GPS allege GDC cognitive classes are frequently taught by inmates rather than counselors, use outdated video materials, permit sign-in for classes not attended because funding is tied to attendance and completion, and include no testing of retention. These reports are ALLEGED and not independently verified. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: operations,policy,data_gap Sources: GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons - [disputed] GDC 'treatment effect of 10' claim for FCB programs GDC claims FCB programs have 'a treatment effect of 10; meaning someone is 10 times less likely to return to prison after completing.' No methodology or study is published. Claim is ALLEGED. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: policy,operations,data_gap Sources: GDC Faith and Character-Based Initiative Page - [disputed] Walker FCB recidivism claim below 2 percent Outside boosters claim Walker has a recidivism rate below 2 percent; no source. Claim is ALLEGED. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: recidivism,facilities,data_gap Sources: GDC Faith and Character-Based Initiative Page - [confirmed] DOJ findings on Walker State Prison Independently verified: the October 2024 DOJ findings report identified Walker as the exception among 17 prisons visited, with more staff positions filled, more programming, less violence and contraband, and no reported homicides in several years. Date: 2024-10-01 Tags: facilities,staffing,violence,contraband,operations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [confirmed] Ashland University 2018 accreditor finding Quality record: 2018 accreditor finding of no completion goals and no complaint-review process for incarcerated students; no graduation or dropout data provided to The Marshall Project in 2020; $70 million university debt and an Ohio transcript-manipulation citation preceded expansion. Tags: operations,data_gap,policy Sources: The Marshall Project: This Tiny Christian College Has Made Millions on Prisoners Under Trump - [confirmed] University of West Georgia absorbs USP Atlanta cohort University of West Georgia absorbed the USP Atlanta cohort; no successor at Walker or Phillips. GDC did not respond to press requests for comment. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: operations,facilities Sources: GPB: Georgia State University pulls the plug on prison education; Inside Higher Ed: Plan to close college-in-prison program prompts heartbreak - [confirmed] CSG Justice Center criminal-history disclosure barrier CSG Justice Center (2020) noted most University System of Georgia institutions require criminal-history disclosure on admission, a post-release barrier. Date: 2020-01-01 Tags: reentry,policy,operations Sources: CSG Justice Center: Georgia Laying the Groundwork - [reported] Prison Journalism Project on Ashland program failures Prison Journalism Project (2024) reported on Ashland University prison education program failing students. Date: 2024-03-05 Tags: operations,data_gap Sources: Prison Journalism Project: Prison Education Program Failing Students CASE DETAILS (5) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] FORGE peer mentorship program collapse The FORGE peer mentorship program at Dooly State Prison (2025–2026) collapsed after its sponsoring counselor supervisor was promoted. A GPS submission (GPS-2026-2BDA9, August 30, 2026; case #226) reports the program collapsed after the chief counselor was promoted and Dooly administration withdrew support. Collapse report is ALLEGED (single anonymous source). Tags: operations,facilities,policy Sources: GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] Tracey Catina Jackson promotion GDC personnel records identify Tracey Catina Jackson, Behavioral Health Counselor Supervisor at Dooly (rosters 2020 and November 2023; salary records 2019–2025), promoted to Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment at Wilcox State Prison effective March 16, 2026. Date: 2026-03-16 Tags: operations,staffing,facilities Sources: GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] Ashland University GDC partnership launch Ashland University (Ohio, private): GDC partnership signed June 2018; associate's in General Studies launched September 17, 2018 at Whitworth Women's Facility, Dooly State Prison, and Smith State Prison with 150 students. Date: 2018-09-17 Tags: operations,facilities,policy Sources: GDC Press Release: Offenders Begin Work Toward Higher Education Goals - [confirmed] Life University Chillon Project launch Life University Chillon Project: Associate of Arts in Positive Human Development and Social Change (since July 2016) and Bachelor of Science in Psychology (since January 2020) at Arrendale State Prison. First Georgia-based degree program in prison since the 1994 Pell ban; first cohort of eleven graduated January 2019 with average GPA 3.9. Funded by the Laughing Gull Foundation. Tags: operations,facilities,policy Sources: Life University Chillon Project Page - [confirmed] Georgia State University Prison Education Project first graduation Georgia State University Prison Education Project: opened 2016; associate degrees at Walker and Phillips; first graduating class of nine at Walker on May 5, 2023; roughly 60 students in 2024. Date: 2023-05-05 Tags: operations,facilities Sources: GDC Press Release: Walker State Prison Hosts Georgia State University Graduation STATISTICS (11) ---------------------------------------- - [estimated] Georgia prison population and college seats Georgia has approximately 50,000 people in state custody and, at most, a few hundred college seats. Value: 50000.0 people Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: demographics,facilities Sources: GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Program and Treatment Completion Certificate eligibility GDC states 25 to 33 percent of releasing inmates are eligible for a Program and Treatment Completion Certificate. Value: 29.0 percent Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: operations,policy Sources: GDC Inmate Services Fact Sheet - [confirmed] Reentry and Cognitive Programming centers count 12 Reentry and Cognitive Programming centers, 2,344 transitional beds (346 for women), approximately six months of work release before parole. GDC concedes 'a limited amount of space.' Value: 12.0 centers Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: facilities,operations,reentry Sources: GDC Reentry and Cognitive Programming page - [confirmed] Transitional beds count 2,344 transitional beds (346 for women), approximately six months of work release before parole. Value: 2344.0 beds Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: facilities,reentry Sources: GDC Reentry and Cognitive Programming page - [confirmed] Three-year felony reconviction for transition-center releases Three-year felony reconviction for transition-center releases in the FY2022 cohort: 11.4 percent, versus 33.7 percent for state prisons (GDC, July 9, 2025). Selection effects are substantial. Value: 11.4 percent (vs. 33.7 state prisons) Tags: reentry,recidivism,operations Sources: GDC 3-Year Reconviction Fiscal Years Statistical Trend Report - [reported] Forensic Peer Mentor program outcomes State reports more than 550 served in FY2017–2018 with two re-arrests, three psychiatric readmissions, and one revocation since inception (self-reported). Value: 550.0 people served Tags: mental_health,reentry,operations Sources: Georgia Medicaid Forensic Peer Mentor Program Page - [confirmed] CoreCivic Ashland University expansion CoreCivic added Coffee, Jenkins, and Wheeler in 2019 (81 students, 700+ credit hours by November 2019). Value: 81.0 students Date: 2019-11-01 Tags: operations,facilities Sources: CoreCivic News: Student Inmates Earn College Degrees from Ashland University - [confirmed] Ashland University Pell funding Funded by students' federal Pell Grants (~$6,000 per student); Ashland has received $79 million in Pell since 2016 across 13 states and D.C. Value: 79000000.0 dollars Tags: budget,operations,policy Sources: The Marshall Project: This Tiny Christian College Has Made Millions on Prisoners Under Trump - [reported] Ashland University Pell per student Funded by students' federal Pell Grants (~$6,000 per student). Value: 6000.0 dollars per student Date: 2020-01-01 Tags: budget,operations Sources: The Marshall Project: This Tiny Christian College Has Made Millions on Prisoners Under Trump - [estimated] Georgia State University Prison Education Project enrollment 2024 Roughly 60 students in 2024. Value: 60.0 students Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: operations,facilities Sources: GPB: Georgia State University pulls the plug on prison education - [confirmed] Ashland University $70 million debt $70 million university debt and an Ohio transcript-manipulation citation preceded expansion. Value: 70000000.0 dollars Date: 2020-01-01 Tags: budget,operations Sources: The Marshall Project: This Tiny Christian College Has Made Millions on Prisoners Under Trump POLICYS (13) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Pell for All policy since July 2023 Since July 2023, any accredited college can enroll incarcerated students on Pell with GDC sign-off ('Pell for All'); GDC's role is limited to the Prison Education Program application form. Date: 2023-07-01 Tags: policy,operations Sources: GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] GDC core cognitive-behavioral programs GDC's Reentry and Cognitive Programming unit lists Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) and Thinking for a Change (T4C) as its core cognitive-behavioral programs at state prisons, private prisons, and the Metro Reentry Facility. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: policy,operations,facilities Sources: GDC Reentry and Cognitive Programming Fact Sheet - [confirmed] Walker State Prison additional programs Walker State Prison additionally lists Motivation for Change, Matrix, Gateway, RSAT, and Prison Fellowship Mentoring. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: policy,facilities,operations Sources: GDC Walker State Prison Facility Page - [confirmed] Faith and Character-Based Initiative launch FCB dormitories began June 1, 2004 at six facilities; Walker State Prison was commissioned as Georgia's first FCB prison in 2011; 18 FCB sites statewide. Date: 2004-06-01 Tags: policy,facilities,operations Sources: GDC Faith and Character Program Fact Sheet - [confirmed] FCB curriculum duration Two-year, four-phase curriculum at Walker; 12-month curriculum in dorms; secular by policy; relies on community volunteers. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: policy,operations Sources: GDC Faith and Character Program Fact Sheet - [confirmed] Forensic Peer Mentor program launch and scope Forensic Peer Mentor (FPM) program: Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network with DBHDD and GDC, since 2017. Peers must hold Certified Peer Specialist or CARES credentials plus a 40-hour, five-day forensic training; work with people within 18 months of release. Operates in five Georgia prisons, five day reporting centers, three mental health treatment courts, and two state hospital forensic units. Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: mental_health,operations,reentry,policy Sources: Georgia Medicaid Forensic Peer Mentor Program Page; GAINS Forensic Peer Mentor Training Page - [confirmed] FORGE program structure FORGE (Facilitating Opportunities for Reentry, Growth & Empowerment): peer-led mentorship development program at Dooly State Prison sponsored by Positive Outreach Development Society, Inc. (PODS), which holds the copyright. Started 2025. 36 weeks, three sessions per week, three phases with gate requirements (85 percent attendance, written knowledge checks, scored co-facilitation, portfolio, peer endorsement), self-sustaining cohort-trains-cohort pipeline, curriculum drawn from T4C, MRT, Seeking Safety, SAMHSA trauma-informed framework, GRIP, AVP, and MENTOR's Elements of Effective Practice. Program courseware was formalized March 2026. Tags: operations,policy,mental_health,reentry Sources: GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] Autry State Prison peer-led pilot funding AFY2026 amended budget: $150,000 for an Autry State Prison peer-led pilot. Curriculum, enrollment, and evaluation plan unknown. Tags: budget,policy,operations,data_gap Sources: GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] University of West Georgia prison education program University of West Georgia: Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Hays State Prison and Coweta Prison (and FCI Atlanta). First SACSCOC- and Education Department-approved Prison Education Program in Georgia. One of two bachelor's programs in Georgia prisons. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: operations,facilities,policy Sources: University of West Georgia Prison Education Programs Page - [confirmed] Brewton-Parker College Philemon Fellowship Brewton-Parker College / Philemon Fellowship: credit-bearing courses toward degrees at Wheeler Correctional Facility and Johnson State Prison; Second Chance Pell site since 2019. Date: 2019-01-01 Tags: operations,facilities,policy Sources: GACHEP Higher Education in Prison in GA Page - [confirmed] Common Good Atlanta program scope Common Good Atlanta: since 2008 at Phillips State Prison; now also Metro Reentry Facility, Whitworth, Burruss, USP Atlanta, and Atlanta, Lee Arrendale, and Augusta transitional centers; 100+ professors from seven universities; privately funded. Tags: operations,facilities,policy Sources: Common Good Atlanta Website - [confirmed] Certificate-level prison education programs Certificate-level: Atlanta Theological Association Certificate in Theological Studies at Arrendale (Candler, McAfee/Mercer, ITC, Columbia); Spelman College/RestoreHER 'Unlocked Minds' at Whitworth; Technical College System of Georgia technical certificates via Albany, Central Georgia, North Georgia, Oconee Fall Line, and Wiregrass technical colleges. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: operations,facilities,policy Sources: GACHEP Higher Education in Prison in GA Page; GDC Career Technical and Higher Education Page - [confirmed] GACHEP BJA grant Georgia Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (GACHEP) received a BJA grant (2021) to expand pre-college pathways with GSU, Life University, and Common Good Atlanta for people within 36 months of release. Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: budget,operations,policy,reentry Sources: BJA Grant Award: 15PBJA-21-GG-04035-SCAX LEGAL FACTS (2) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] GDC SOP 107.14 audit requirements GDC SOP 107.14 (Office of Reentry Services Audit Process, effective March 2, 2022) requires Quality Assurance Evaluations confirming programs are 'delivered in the manner in which it was designed,' including completeness of documentation and group participation, plus a Georgia Program Assessment Inventory (GPAI) measuring compliance with evidence-based principles, at least every two years, with Corrective Action Plans for critical findings due within 30 days. Audit records are retained five years on the GDC intranet. Date: 2022-03-02 Tags: policy,operations,legal Sources: GDC SOP 107.14: Office of Reentry Services Audit Process - [confirmed] Ashland University Department of Education demand 2023 U.S. Department of Education demand for $6.1 million for improper Pell packaging (30-week calculation on a 24-week calendar), contested in court. Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: legal,budget,operations Sources: The Chronicle of Higher Education: A Pioneer in Prison Education Challenges a $6.1 Million Bill from the Feds DATA GAPS (7) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] College of Athens data gap College of Athens: listed by GDC as a partner; no program details found. Data gap. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: data_gap,operations Sources: GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] GDC GPAI audit results unavailable GDC GPAI and Quality Assurance audit results under SOP 107.14 (internal; would require open records request). Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: data_gap,operations,policy Sources: GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] FCB treatment effect methodology unpublished Published methodology behind GDC's 'treatment effect of 10' claim for Faith and Character-Based programs is missing. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: data_gap,policy,operations Sources: GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] Forensic Peer Mentor prison locations unknown Identity of the five prisons hosting Forensic Peer Mentors is unknown. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: data_gap,facilities,mental_health Sources: GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] Autry State Prison pilot details unknown Autry State Prison peer-led pilot details: curriculum, enrollment, and evaluation plan unknown. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: data_gap,operations,policy Sources: GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] Current postsecondary enrollment counts unknown Current enrollment counts per postsecondary program and total college seats statewide are unknown. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: data_gap,operations,facilities Sources: GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] FORGE collapse corroboration needed Corroboration of the FORGE collapse from a second Dooly source; right of response from GDC and Dooly administration. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: data_gap,operations,facilities Sources: GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons METHODOLOGY NOTES (1) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Ashland University tablet-based delivery Tablet-based delivery via JPay/Securus; recorded lectures, digital readings, site director per prison. Tags: operations,methodology Sources: The Marshall Project: This Tiny Christian College Has Made Millions on Prisoners Under Trump DATASETS (1) ---------------------------------------- # Three-Year Felony Reconviction Rates by Release Type (FY2022 Cohort) Comparison of three-year felony reconviction rates for transition-center releases versus state prison releases in the FY2022 cohort, as reported by GDC on July 9, 2025. Release Type Three-Year Felony Reconviction Rate ----------------------------------------------------------------- Transition-center releases 11.4 State prison releases 33.7 KEY ENTITIES (44) ---------------------------------------- - Arrendale State Prison [facility]: Women's state prison in Alto, Habersham County, GA. Mixed close/medium security. Houses death row, diagnostic intake, Children's Center, all-female fire department. Being downsized toward transitional center status. - Ashland University [organization]: Private Christian university in Ohio partnering with GDC since June 2018 to offer associate's degrees in Georgia prisons via Pell Grants. - Atlanta Theological Association [organization]: Consortium offering Certificate in Theological Studies at Arrendale State Prison (Candler, McAfee/Mercer, ITC, Columbia). - Autry State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison with GCI shoe/boot manufacturing and garment operations. - Brewton-Parker College [organization]: College offering credit-bearing courses through Philemon Fellowship at Wheeler Correctional Facility and Johnson State Prison. - Burruss Correctional Training Center [facility]: Georgia facility hosting Common Good Atlanta courses. (aka: Burruss) - Coffee Correctional Facility [facility]: A CoreCivic-operated private prison in Nicholls, Georgia, opened in 1998. - College of Athens [organization]: Listed by GDC as a partner; no program details found. - Common Good Atlanta [organization]: Nonprofit providing college courses in Georgia prisons since 2008 at Phillips State Prison and other facilities; 100+ professors from seven universities; privately funded. - CoreCivic [organization]: Private prison company that owns and operates select prison facilities in Georgia under contract with GDC. - Coweta Prison [facility]: Georgia prison hosting University of West Georgia Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies. - CSG Justice Center [organization]: Policy organization that designed and monitors the Justice Reinvestment Initiative in Georgia and other states. (aka: Council of State Governments Justice Center, CSG South) - DBHDD [organization]: Georgia state agency operating forensic beds, community mental health services, and state psychiatric hospitals. Operates approximately 670 forensic beds statewide. (aka: Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities) - Dooly State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison where Jackie Kavaskia McMillan led drug trafficking network; second highest cell phone seizure count by end of 2016 (1,342 phones). - FCI Atlanta [facility]: Federal correctional institution in Atlanta hosting University of West Georgia and Common Good Atlanta programs. (aka: USP Atlanta) - Forensic Peer Mentor Program [program]: Peer support program operated by Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network with DBHDD and GDC since 2017; peers hold Certified Peer Specialist or CARES credentials plus 40-hour forensic training. (aka: FPM) - FORGE [program]: Peer-led mentorship development program at Dooly State Prison sponsored by Positive Outreach Development Society, Inc. (PODS). Started 2025; collapsed after chief counselor promotion. (aka: Facilitating Opportunities for Reentry, Growth & Empowerment) - GACHEP [organization]: Coalition expanding pre-college pathways in Georgia prisons; received BJA grant in 2021. (aka: Georgia Coalition for Higher Education in Prison) - GDC [organization]: Georgia state corrections department operating 12 reentry centers with 2,344 beds and various cognitive programming initiatives. (aka: Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia DOC) - Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network [organization]: Organization operating the Forensic Peer Mentor program with DBHDD and GDC. - Georgia State University Prison Education Project [program]: Prison education program opened 2016 offering associate degrees at Walker and Phillips State Prisons; closed in 2024 over Pell-compliance costs. (aka: GSU Prison Education Project, GSUPEP) - Hays State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison visited by DOJ during 2022-2023 investigation (aka: Hays) - Jenkins Correctional Center [facility]: Private prison facility in Georgia that received $1,055,658 increase for bed utilization in FY2027. (aka: Jenkins) - Johnson State Prison [facility]: GDC facility targeted in the Chandley Communications recruitment campaign. - JPay [organization]: Dominant provider of financial services to prisons/jails, serving 1.7+ million incarcerated people in 32 states; originally owned by Platinum Equity Partners, later acquired by Securus/Aventiv Technologies; penalized by CFPB in 2021 - Laughing Gull Foundation [organization]: Private foundation funding the Life University Chillon Project. - Life University Chillon Project [program]: Life University program offering Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees at Arrendale State Prison since 2016; funded by Laughing Gull Foundation. (aka: Chillon Project) - Metro Reentry Facility [facility]: A reopened state prison facility remissioned to function as a re-entry facility for the Metro Atlanta area, focusing on recidivism reduction. (aka: Re-Entry Facility) - Philemon Fellowship [program]: Brewton-Parker College program offering credit-bearing courses in Georgia prisons; Second Chance Pell site since 2019. - Phillips State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison visited by DOJ during 2022-2023 investigation (aka: Phillips) - Positive Outreach Development Society, Inc. [organization]: Nonprofit sponsoring the FORGE program; holds the FORGE copyright. (aka: PODS) - RestoreHer [organization]: Organization supporting SB 105 probation reform - Securus [organization]: The inmate telecom vendor for the Georgia Department of Corrections. (aka: Aventiv) - Smith State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison targeted by drone smuggling networks; subject of Operation Night Drop indictments. - Spelman College [organization]: College partnering with RestoreHER on 'Unlocked Minds' at Whitworth Women's Facility. - Technical College System of Georgia [organization]: Georgia technical education system spending $444M for 159,280 students ($2,788/student). (aka: TCSG) - Tracey Catina Jackson [person]: Behavioral Health Counselor Supervisor at Dooly State Prison (rosters 2020 and November 2023; salary records 2019–2025), promoted to Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment at Wilcox State Prison effective March 16, 2026. - U.S. Department of Education [organization]: Federal agency that demanded $6.1 million from Ashland University for improper Pell packaging in 2023. (aka: Education Department) - University of West Georgia [organization]: University where the Georgia Office of Victim Services organized and led a panel discussion during National Crime Victims' Rights Week. - University System of Georgia [organization]: State university system; most institutions require criminal-history disclosure on admission, a post-release barrier. (aka: USG) - Walker State Prison [facility]: A Georgia state prison noted as a positive exception by the DOJ, with fewer incarcerated people reporting fear and a higher proportion of staff positions filled. - Wheeler Correctional Facility [facility]: A CoreCivic-operated private prison in Alamo, Georgia, opened in 1998. - Whitworth Women's Facility [facility]: GDC women's facility targeted in the Chandley Communications recruitment campaign. - Wilcox State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison visited by DOJ during 2022-2023 investigation (aka: Wilcox) SOURCES (27) ---------------------------------------- - BJA Grant Award: 15PBJA-21-GG-04035-SCAX, Bureau of Justice Assistance by BJA (2021-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/awards/15pbja-21-gg-04035-scax - Common Good Atlanta Website, Common Good Atlanta by Common Good Atlanta [official_report, primary] URL: https://commongoodatlanta.org/ - CoreCivic News: Student Inmates Earn College Degrees from Ashland University, CoreCivic by CoreCivic [press_release, primary] URL: https://www.corecivic.com/news/student-inmates-earn-college-degrees-from-ashland-university - CSG Justice Center: Georgia Laying the Groundwork, CSG Justice Center by CSG Justice Center (2020-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://csgjusticecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Georgia_Laying-the-Groundwork.pdf - DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024), U.S. Department of Justice (2024-10-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/findings_report_-_investigation_of_georgia_prisons.pdf - GACHEP Higher Education in Prison in GA Page, Georgia Coalition for Higher Education in Prison by GACHEP [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.gachep.org/higher-education-in-prison-in-ga - GAINS Forensic Peer Mentor Training Page, Policy Research Associates, Inc. by PRA Inc. [official_report, secondary] URL: https://www.prainc.com/gains-forensic-peer-mentor-training/ - GDC 3-Year Reconviction Fiscal Years Statistical Trend Report, Georgia Department of Corrections (2025-07-09) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/statistical-trend-reports/3-year-reconviction-fiscal-years/download - GDC Career Technical and Higher Education Page, Georgia Department of Corrections by GDC [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/organization/about-gdc/divisions-and-org-chart/inmate-services-division/career-technical-and-higher - GDC Faith and Character Program Fact Sheet, Georgia Department of Corrections by GDC [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/fact-sheets/faith-and-character-program-fact-sheet/download - GDC Faith and Character-Based Initiative Page, Georgia Department of Corrections by GDC [official_report, primary] URL: http://www.dcor.state.ga.us/Divisions/Facilities/Transitional/FCBI - GDC Inmate Services Fact Sheet, Georgia Department of Corrections [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/fact-sheets/inmate-services-fact-sheet/download - GDC Press Release: Offenders Begin Work Toward Higher Education Goals, Georgia Department of Corrections by GDC (2018-09-28) [press_release, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/press-releases/2018-09-28/offenders-begin-work-toward-higher-education-goals - GDC Press Release: Walker State Prison Hosts Georgia State University Graduation, Georgia Department of Corrections by GDC (2023-05-05) [press_release, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/press-releases/2023-05-05/walker-state-prison-hosts-georgia-state-university-graduation - GDC Reentry and Cognitive Programming Fact Sheet, Georgia Department of Corrections by GDC [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/fact-sheets/reentry-and-cognitive-programming-fact-sheet/download - GDC Reentry and Cognitive Programming page, Georgia Department of Corrections [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/inmate-services-division-0/reentry-cognitive-programming-unit/reentry-cognitive-programming - GDC SOP 107.14: Office of Reentry Services Audit Process, Georgia Department of Corrections by GDC (2022-03-02) [legal_document, primary] URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/184348 - GDC Walker State Prison Facility Page, Georgia Department of Corrections by GDC [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/locations/walker-state-prison - Georgia Medicaid Forensic Peer Mentor Program Page, Georgia Medicaid by Georgia Medicaid [official_report, primary] URL: https://medicaid.georgia.gov/types-services/behavioral-health-services/forensic-peer-mentor-program - GPB: Georgia State University pulls the plug on prison education, Georgia Public Broadcasting (2024-03-22) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.gpb.org/news/2024/03/22/georgia-state-university-pulls-the-plug-on-prison-education - GPS Research Pass: Evidence-Based and Postsecondary Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia Prisons, Georgia Prisoners' Speak by GPS Research Team (2026-08-30) [gps_original, primary] - Inside Higher Ed: Plan to close college-in-prison program prompts heartbreak, Inside Higher Ed (2024-04-12) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/students/diversity/2024/04/12/plan-close-college-prison-program-prompts-heartbreak - Life University Chillon Project Page, Life University by Life University [official_report, primary] URL: http://www.compassion.life.edu/chillon-project/ - Prison Journalism Project: Prison Education Program Failing Students, Prison Journalism Project (2024-03-05) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://prisonjournalismproject.org/2024/03/05/prison-education-program-failing-students/ - The Chronicle of Higher Education: A Pioneer in Prison Education Challenges a $6.1 Million Bill from the Feds, The Chronicle of Higher Education [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.chronicle.com/article/a-pioneer-in-prison-education-challenges-a-6-1-million-bill-from-the-feds - The Marshall Project: This Tiny Christian College Has Made Millions on Prisoners Under Trump, The Marshall Project (2020-12-17) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.themarshallproject.org/2020/12/17/this-tiny-christian-college-has-made-millions-on-prisoners-under-trump - University of West Georgia Prison Education Programs Page, University of West Georgia by University of West Georgia [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.westga.edu/academics/university-college/prison-education-programs.php