GPS RESEARCH LIBRARY: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS Vendors, Contracts & Financial Conflicts ============================================================ Georgia Prisoners' Speak — gps.press Generated: 2026-04-06 22:02:40 EDT Research Date: 2026-04-03 Topic: Financial Investigation JSON: https://gps.press/research-data/follow-the-money-georgia-prison-mas-vendors-contracts-financial-conflicts/?format=json SUMMARY ---------------------------------------- This GPS research document traces the financial relationships between Managed Access System (MAS) vendors, prison telecom companies, GDC officials, and political actors in Georgia's prison cell phone crackdown. It reveals that Securus Technologies simultaneously profits from blocking contraband phones and holding the exclusive paid phone services contract, while GDC collects over $8 million/year in kickbacks at a 59.6% commission rate — among the highest in the nation. The document exposes a shadowy 2-person vendor (Hawks Ear Communications) with no track record that holds 3 Georgia prison contracts, details Securus's $1.3 billion debt crisis threatening service continuity, and documents how the ~$50 million contraband technology budget has coincided with quadrupled prison homicides rather than improved safety. STATISTICS (22) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Georgia contraband technology budget approximately $50 million Georgia's contraband technology budget is approximately $50 million, funding three MAS vendors (Trace-Tek/ShawnTech, CellBlox/Securus, Hawks Ear). Value: 50.0 million dollars Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: budget,contraband,operations,policy Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [confirmed] GDC receives $8+ million/year in Securus kickbacks GDC receives $8+ million per year in kickbacks from Securus Technologies at a 59.6% commission rate on prison phone services gross revenue. Value: 8.0 million dollars per year Tags: budget,corruption,policy,contraband Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Securus annual revenue approximately $700 million Securus Technologies reports approximately $700 million in annual revenue with a 51% gross profit margin. Value: 700.0 million dollars annual revenue Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: budget,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Securus 51% gross profit margin Securus Technologies operates at a 51% gross profit margin. Value: 51.0 percent gross profit margin Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: budget,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Securus total investment approximately $840 million Securus Technologies' total investment is approximately $840 million. Value: 840.0 million dollars Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: budget,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Securus serves 3,400+ facilities and 1.2 million incarcerated individuals Securus Technologies serves 3,400+ correctional facilities and 1.2 million incarcerated individuals nationally. Value: 3400.0 facilities (vs. 1200000 incarcerated individuals served) Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: demographics,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Securus MAS investment exceeds $40 million Securus Technologies has invested $40+ million in Managed Access System technology. Value: 40.0 million dollars (minimum) Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: budget,contraband,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [confirmed] Securus current debt $1.3 billion, effectively defaulted Securus Technologies carries $1.3 billion in debt, has effectively defaulted, with debt trading at 8 cents on the dollar. Value: 1.3 billion dollars debt Tags: budget,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Securus debt trading at 8 cents on the dollar Securus Technologies' debt is trading at 8 cents on the dollar, indicating severe financial distress. Value: 8.0 cents on the dollar Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: budget,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [confirmed] Georgia Securus commission rate 59.6% of gross revenue The Georgia-Securus contract specifies a commission rate of 59.6% of gross revenue paid to GDC, among the highest in the nation (national average ~43%). Value: 59.6 percent of gross revenue (vs. 43 national average commission rate) Tags: budget,corruption,policy Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [confirmed] Securus minimum monthly guarantee $325,000 The Georgia-Securus contract included a minimum monthly guarantee of $325,000 per month paid to GDC. Value: 325000.0 dollars per month Tags: budget,policy Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [confirmed] Securus one-time signing bonus $4 million to GDC The Georgia-Securus contract included a one-time signing bonus of $4,000,000 paid to GDC. Value: 4000000.0 dollars Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: budget,corruption,policy Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [confirmed] 2019 annual Securus kickback to GDC: $8,062,200.60 In 2019, GDC received $8,062,200.60 in annual kickbacks (commissions) from Securus Technologies. Value: 8062200.6 dollars Date: 2019-01-01 Tags: budget,corruption,policy Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [confirmed] 2022 Securus total commissions to GDC: $7.04 million In 2022, Securus paid GDC total commissions of $7.04 million. Value: 7.04 million dollars Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: budget,corruption,policy Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [confirmed] Georgia Securus call rates Securus call rates in Georgia prisons: local $0.13/min, in-state $0.16/min, interstate $0.21/min. A 15-minute in-state call costs $2.10-$2.40. Value: 0.16 dollars per minute (in-state) Tags: budget,conditions,policy Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [confirmed] Securus Forensics Lab cost $68,000/month ($816,000/year) The Securus contract included a Forensics Lab at $68,000/month ($816,000/year) staffed with 2 Intake Specialists, 3 Digital Forensics Technicians, 6 Intelligence Analysts, 1 MAS Intelligence Analyst, and 1 Intelligence Operations Program Manager. Value: 816000.0 dollars per year Tags: budget,operations,investigations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] 865 tablet complaints in 6 months, 73% unresolved Securus-provided tablets to Georgia prisoners generated 865 complaints from March to September 2023, with 73% unresolved. GDC canceled the tablet program in December 2023. Value: 865.0 complaints (vs. 73 percent unresolved) Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: conditions,operations,policy Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] ShawnTech claims 86% of all FCC CIS licenses nationally ShawnTech claims to hold 86% of all FCC CIS (Contraband Interdiction System) licenses nationally. The company has MBE/DBE certifications in 15+ states. Value: 86.0 percent of FCC CIS licenses Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: contraband,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Tom Gores approximately $58,100 in federal donations Tom Gores made approximately $58,100 in federal political donations, primarily to Democratic candidates. No Georgia-specific donations were found. Value: 58100.0 dollars in federal donations Tags: corruption,policy Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] 4% Location Validation Fee charged on ALL prison phone bills A 4% Location Validation Fee is charged on ALL prison phone bills regardless of whether location tracking is actually used. Value: 4.0 percent surcharge Tags: budget,corruption,policy Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] 360+ staff arrested for smuggling since 2018 Over 360 staff have been arrested for smuggling contraband into Georgia prisons since 2018. MAS systems whitelist staff phones but also detect unauthorized staff phones in housing units. Value: 360.0 staff arrested (minimum) Tags: corruption,staffing,contraband,investigations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Securus price-fixing allegations: Pay Now $14.99/15min The HRDC v. Securus RICO lawsuit alleges price-fixing with Pay Now rates at $14.99 for 15 minutes and Text2Connect at $9.99 for 10 minutes. Value: 14.99 dollars per 15-minute call (Pay Now) (vs. 9.99 dollars per 10-minute Text2Connect) Date: 2020-01-01 Tags: legal,corruption,budget Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System FINDINGS (9) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Prison homicides quadrupled amid phone crackdown The state spends $50 million to block phones, collects $8 million/year in kickbacks, and prison homicides have quadrupled. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: violence,death,contraband,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [confirmed] Securus operates MAS at 4 Georgia prisons AND holds exclusive phone contract Securus Technologies operates MAS (Managed Access Systems) at 4 Georgia prisons while also holding the exclusive contract to provide paid phone services, creating a dual-profit conflict of interest. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: corruption,contraband,operations,policy Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] ShawnTech profits from both blocking and providing phone services ShawnTech/Trace-Tek also provides inmate phone systems, kiosks, video visitation, and tablets — profiting from both blocking contraband phones AND providing paid communication services. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: corruption,contraband,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Hawks Ear has no website, track record, or deployed product Hawks Ear Communications has no website, no track record, and no deployed product, yet holds 3 Georgia prison contracts at Hancock SP, Phillips SP, and Valdosta SP. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: corruption,contraband,investigations,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Circular kickback flow in Georgia prison phone system The Georgia prison phone system operates a circular financial flow: Families pay Securus for calls, Securus keeps 40.4%, GDC gets 59.6% as commission, GDC also pays Securus for MAS/forensics services, Securus blocks contraband phones forcing inmates to use Securus paid phones, and more calls generate more revenue for both parties. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: corruption,budget,policy,contraband Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] MAS vendors have financial incentive not to report staff corruption MAS vendors have a financial incentive NOT to report staff corruption because contraband phones drive demand for both MAS systems and paid phone services. No evidence was found that MAS data has been used for staff accountability. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: corruption,staffing,contraband,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Securus lobbied aggressively against FCC rate regulation Securus lobbied aggressively in 2015 to block FCC regulation, opposed every FCC rate cap, and fought free-calling legislation in every state. Date: 2015-01-01 Tags: policy,legal,corruption Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Communication access collapse and violence explosion 2021-2023 When the tablet program collapsed (2021-2023), combined with MAS expansion, inmates had NO communication access. Violence exploded during this period. Tags: violence,conditions,contraband,policy Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] If jamming approved it eliminates need for private MAS vendors If the FCC approves cell phone jamming in prisons, it would eliminate the need for private MAS vendors entirely, potentially rendering the entire MAS vendor ecosystem obsolete. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: policy,contraband,operations,budget Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System CASE DETAILS (10) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Tom Gores/Platinum Equity acquired Securus for $1.6 billion in 2017 Tom Gores, billionaire and Detroit Pistons owner, owns Platinum Equity which owns Aventiv Technologies which owns Securus Technologies. Securus was acquired in 2017 for $1.6 billion. Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: corruption,budget,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Gores forced to resign from LACMA board due to prison profiteering pressure Tom Gores was forced to resign from the LACMA board due to activist pressure related to prison profiteering. He also faced NBA activist pressure and was named in a class-action lawsuit. A PA pension fund denied a $150 million investment. Tags: corruption,legal,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] PA pension fund denied $150M investment in Platinum Equity A Pennsylvania pension fund denied a $150 million investment in Platinum Equity due to concerns over prison profiteering through Securus Technologies. Tags: corruption,budget,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [confirmed] S&P downgraded Securus to CCC- in October 2023 S&P downgraded Securus/Aventiv to CCC- in October 2023. Moody's rated junk in November 2023. A distressed debt exchange followed in December 2023. A SPAC deal also failed. Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: budget,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Hawks Ear Communications is a 2-person operation with no physical office Hawks Ear Communications is a 2-person operation with no physical office. Roger Banks (Fort Lauderdale) is Manager and also runs a windows and door company. Myles Lu (Vancouver BC) is the technical contact at Star Solutions International. The Fort Lauderdale address is an entertainment/IP lawyer's office (The Concept Law Group, Ravi Seepersad) with zero corrections background. The Atlanta address is a Regus virtual office (mail forwarding only). Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: corruption,contraband,investigations,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Hawks Ear FCC experimental license had equipment listed as 'TBD' Hawks Ear Communications' FCC experimental license tested near Hancock SP (Sparta GA) but equipment was listed as 'TBD' and the license was never granted. CIS Phase One certification was not obtained until March 2025. Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: corruption,contraband,investigations,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] AG Chris Carr running for governor 2026, leading 23-state jamming coalition Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is running for governor in 2026 and is leading a 23-state coalition advocating for FCC approval of cell phone jamming in prisons. If jamming is approved, it would eliminate the need for private MAS vendors entirely. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: policy,legal,contraband,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [confirmed] Securus Location Based Services tracked judges without warrants Securus Location Based Services provides real-time tracking of any cell phone in the country without warrant verification. A Missouri sheriff illegally tracked judges using this capability. ACLU documented that Securus obtains real-time location data for 'virtually any individual in the country.' Tags: legal,corruption,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] One CO received $150,000 for smuggling 150 phones One correctional officer received $150,000 for smuggling 150 phones into a Georgia prison. Tags: corruption,staffing,contraband Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] ShawnTech FCC CIS certification March 2024 Trace-Tek LLC received FCC CIS (Contraband Interdiction System) certification in March 2024. Date: 2024-03-01 Tags: contraband,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System POLICYS (2) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Securus contract included free surveillance tools The Georgia-Securus contract included at no additional cost: Investigator Pro (voice biometrics), Location Based Services (real-time tracking), THREADS (data analysis), ICER (inter-facility detection), and MAS at Autry State Prison. Tags: operations,policy,contraband Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [confirmed] New comprehensive RFP posted December 6, 2025 Georgia posted a comprehensive RFP (Solicitation 46700-GDC0001179) on December 6, 2025, for offender communications (phones, tablets, video, trust accounts) with a deadline of February 20, 2026. NASPO eligible vendors include ViaPath, Securus, ATG, ICSolutions, and Keefe. Tags: policy,operations,budget Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System LEGAL FACTS (3) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] GDC-Securus settlement includes nondisparagement clause The settlement from GDC's cancellation of Securus tablets included a nondisparagement clause — GDC cannot publicly criticize Securus. Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: legal,policy,corruption Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] ShawnTech C-DOS permanently disables phones without warrants ShawnTech's C-DOS system permanently disables phones 'without going through the warrant process.' The FCC framework requires DCFOs to submit qualifying requests but no warrant is needed. Over 4,000 devices have been permanently disabled. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: legal,contraband,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [confirmed] HRDC v. Securus and ViaPath RICO lawsuit filed 2020 HRDC v. Securus and ViaPath was filed in 2020 in Maryland, alleging price-fixing (Pay Now $14.99/15min, Text2Connect $9.99/10min), kickback fraud, and RICO enterprise. The Fourth Circuit reversed the RICO dismissal in May 2023, and the case is proceeding. Tags: legal,corruption,budget Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System DATA GAPS (4) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Securus bankruptcy risk to Georgia services If Securus goes bankrupt, it poses a risk to Georgia's MAS systems and phone services that depend on the company. The company's $1.3 billion debt and junk credit rating raise serious continuity concerns. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: operations,budget,policy Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] Hawks Ear registered in Georgia March 2022, no procurement records found Hawks Ear Communications registered in Georgia in March 2022. No procurement records were found for how the contracts at Hancock SP, Phillips SP, and Valdosta SP were awarded. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: corruption,investigations,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] C-DOS phone destruction legally untested ShawnTech C-DOS permanently disables phones without warrants. No lawsuits have yet challenged this practice — it is legally untested. Potential legal issues include property rights (phones may be stolen, belonging to non-inmates), Hudson v. Palmer addresses searches not destruction, and there is no appeals process. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: legal,contraband,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System - [reported] No evidence MAS data used for staff accountability No evidence was found that MAS (Managed Access System) data has been used for staff accountability, despite the systems' capability to detect unauthorized staff phones in housing units. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: corruption,staffing,contraband,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System TRENDS (1) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Contraband phone prices dropped when tablets were available When tablets were available to Georgia prisoners (2015-2017), contraband phone prices dropped from $1,200-$1,500 to $200-$500. When the tablet program collapsed (2021-2023), combined with MAS expansion, inmates had no communication access and violence exploded. Tags: contraband,violence,conditions,policy Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System QUOTES (1) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] ACLU documented Securus real-time location tracking capability ACLU documented that Securus obtains real-time location data for 'virtually any individual in the country' through its Location Based Services capability. Tags: legal,operations Sources: Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System DATASETS (4) ---------------------------------------- # State Prison Phone Commission Rate Comparison Commission rates paid by prison telecom providers to state corrections departments across selected states, with Georgia's 59.6% rate compared to other states and national average. State Commission Rate --------------------------------------- Georgia 59.6% National Average ~43% Texas 40% Michigan (St. Clair) 78% Tennessee 18.75% Colorado Flat $800K Minnesota 20% # Securus Forensics Lab Staffing Staffing composition of the Securus-provided Forensics Lab at $68,000/month under the Georgia contract. Role Count ------------------------------------------------ Intake Specialists 2 Digital Forensics Technicians 3 Intelligence Analysts 6 MAS Intelligence Analyst 1 Intelligence Operations Program Manager 1 # GDC Annual Securus Commission Payments Annual commission/kickback payments from Securus Technologies to GDC. Year Commission Amount ------------------------- 2019 8062200.6 2022 7040000 # Georgia Prison Contraband Phone Price Trends Contraband cell phone price ranges in Georgia prisons before and during tablet availability. Period Condition Price Low Price High --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-tablets / Post-tablet collapse No tablets available 1200 1500 2015-2017 Tablets available 200 500 KEY ENTITIES (23) ---------------------------------------- - ACLU [organization]: Civil liberties organization that produced the 2022 'Captive Labor: Exploitation of Incarcerated Workers' report with the University of Chicago Law School's Global Human Rights Clinic. (aka: American Civil Liberties Union) - Autry State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison with GCI shoe/boot manufacturing and garment operations. - Aventiv Technologies [organization]: Prison technology company that acquired JPay, providing communications and financial services to incarcerated populations (aka: Securus) - 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. - Federal Communications Commission [organization]: Federal agency with authority over prison communications rates under the Martha Wright-Reed Act; implemented rate caps in 2024 that were suspended under new Republican majority in 2025 (aka: FCC) - 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 Offender Communications RFP [legislation]: Comprehensive RFP posted December 6, 2025 for offender communications (phones, tablets, video, trust accounts). Deadline February 20, 2026. (aka: Solicitation 46700-GDC0001179) - Hancock State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison where THC gummies, white powdery substances, and marijuana were recovered in January 2024. - Hawks Ear Communications [organization]: Mysterious 2-person MAS vendor with no physical office, no website, no track record, and no deployed product. Holds 3 Georgia prison contracts. Registered in Georgia March 2022. (aka: Hawks Ear) - HRDC v. Securus and ViaPath [case]: RICO lawsuit filed 2020 in Maryland alleging price-fixing and kickback fraud. Fourth Circuit reversed RICO dismissal May 2023. - Hudson v. Palmer [case]: Supreme Court case addressing prisoner cell searches. Referenced in connection with C-DOS phone destruction — the case addresses searches, not destruction of property. - Human Rights Defense Center [organization]: Publisher of Prison Legal News. Filed FCC comments since 2007. Won $21.3 million settlement against GTL/ViaPath in price-fixing lawsuit (2025). (aka: HRDC) - Lance Fancher [person]: President/CEO of ShawnTech. - Myles Lu [person]: Technical contact for Hawks Ear Communications, based in Vancouver BC. Works at Star Solutions International. - Phillips State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison visited by DOJ during 2022-2023 investigation (aka: Phillips) - Platinum Equity [organization]: Private equity firm founded and controlled by Tom Gores. Acquired Securus in 2017 for ~$1.5B. Losing ownership of Aventiv through debt-for-equity exchange with creditors. - Roger Banks [person]: Manager of Hawks Ear Communications LLC, the most opaque of the three managed access vendors covering three Georgia prison facilities - Securus Technologies [organization]: Prison telecom and technology company that acquired JPay. Also known as Aventiv Technologies. (aka: Aventiv Technologies) - ShawnTech/Trace-Tek [organization]: MAS vendor founded 1986 in Miamisburg, Ohio. Minority-owned, family-owned. Claims 86% of all FCC CIS licenses nationally. Operates C-DOS phone disabling system. Also provides phone systems, kiosks, video visitation, tablets. (aka: ShawnTech, Trace-Tek, Trace-Tek LLC) - Star Solutions International [organization]: Vancouver BC company where Hawks Ear technical contact Myles Lu works. - The Concept Law Group [organization]: Fort Lauderdale law firm (entertainment/IP lawyer Ravi Seepersad) whose address is used as Hawks Ear Communications' Fort Lauderdale address. Zero corrections background. - Tom Gores [person]: Billionaire founder and CEO of Platinum Equity; owner of the Detroit Pistons. Controls the PE firm that owns Aventiv/Securus. Has publicly stated the prison telecom industry should be led by nonprofits. - ViaPath Technologies [organization]: Second-largest prison telecom provider in U.S. Formerly Global Tel*Link (GTL); rebranded 2022. Owned by American Securities. Reported $654M revenue in 2019. Faces $1.4B in debt maturities starting 2025. Ordered to pay $3M for consumer protection violations and agreed to $21.3M HRDC settlement in 2025. (aka: GTL, Global Tel*Link, Global Tel Link) SOURCES (1) ---------------------------------------- - Follow the Money: Georgia Prison MAS System, Georgia Prisoners' Speak (GPS) (2026-04-03) [gps_original, primary]