GPS RESEARCH LIBRARY: Georgia Incarceration Trends: Population, Demographics & National Context ============================================================ Georgia Prisoners' Speak — gps.press Generated: 2026-03-17 04:38:07 EDT Research Date: 2026-02-18 Topic: Demographics & Context JSON: https://gps.press/research-data/georgia-incarceration-trends-population-demographics-national-context/?format=json SUMMARY ---------------------------------------- This research compilation provides a comprehensive overview of Georgia's incarceration trends and population data from multiple authoritative sources, revealing a system holding approximately 53,000 people in state prisons and 528,000 under total criminal justice supervision. Key findings include stark racial disparities (Black Georgians are 31% of the state population but 61% of the prison population), a 42% drop in parole releases over five years driving longer stays, an aging prison population with over 10,000 individuals aged 50+, and a corrections budget that has increased 44% to $1.62 billion. The Vera Institute data contextualizes these trends historically, showing a 222% increase in prison population since 1983 and dramatic increases in women's incarceration. STATISTICS (48) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Current Georgia state prison population (2025) Approximately 53,000 people are currently incarcerated in Georgia state prisons as of 2025. Value: 53000.0 people Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics,facilities Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Total people behind bars in Georgia (all facility types) 95,000 people are behind bars in Georgia across all facility types. Value: 95000.0 people Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics,facilities Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Total Georgia residents locked up across all systems 102,000 Georgia residents are locked up across federal, state, local, and other facilities. Value: 102000.0 people Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics,facilities Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Annual Georgia local jail bookings More than 236,000 different people are booked into Georgia local jails annually. Value: 236000.0 people booked annually Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics,facilities Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] People on probation or parole in Georgia 356,000 people are on probation or parole in Georgia. Value: 356000.0 people Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: parole,demographics Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Total Georgia residents under criminal justice supervision 528,000 Georgia residents are under criminal justice supervision total. Value: 528000.0 people Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Georgia incarceration rate per 100,000 Georgia's incarceration rate is 881 per 100,000 people, including prisons, jails, immigration detention, and juvenile facilities. Value: 881.0 per 100,000 people Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data; Prison Policy Initiative - Georgia Profile - [reported] Black Georgians: 61% of prison population, 31% of state population Black individuals constitute 61% of the Georgia prison population while comprising only 31% of the state's overall population. Value: 61.0 percent of prison population (vs. 31 percent of state population) Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] White Georgians: ~35% of prison population White individuals constitute approximately 35% of Georgia's prison population. Value: 35.0 percent of prison population Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Hispanic Georgians: ~4% of prison population Hispanic individuals constitute approximately 4% of Georgia's prison population. Value: 4.0 percent of prison population Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Black incarceration rate 2.7x white rate in Georgia Black individuals are incarcerated at 2.7 times the rate of white individuals in Georgia. Value: 2.7 times the rate of white individuals Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Over 20% of prison population aged 50+ Over 20% of Georgia's prison population is aged 50 or older. Value: 20.0 percent aged 50+ Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics,medical Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] 13% of prison population over age 55 13% of Georgia's prison population is over age 55. Value: 13.0 percent over age 55 Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics,medical Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [estimated] Approximately 10,000 individuals aged 50+ in Georgia prisons Approximately 10,000 individuals aged 50 or older are in Georgia's prison system. Value: 10000.0 people aged 50+ Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics,medical Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Women's incarceration rate in Georgia: 177 per 100,000 The women's incarceration rate in Georgia is 177 per 100,000. Value: 177.0 per 100,000 Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] 82,206 women on probation or parole in Georgia 82,206 women are on probation or parole in Georgia. Value: 82206.0 women Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics,parole Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data; Prison Policy Initiative - Georgia Profile - [reported] CY 2025 total releases: 13,724 In calendar year 2025, there were 13,724 total releases from Georgia state prisons. Value: 13724.0 releases Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics,reentry Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] 54.55% of CY 2025 releases maxed out their sentences Of the 13,724 total releases in CY 2025, 7,486 (54.55%) maxed out their full sentences. Value: 54.55 percent of releases Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: reentry,parole Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data; Georgia Department of Corrections Population and Release Data (2024-2025) - [reported] CY 2025 parole releases: 4,283 (31.21%) In CY 2025, 4,283 people (31.21% of total releases) were released on parole from Georgia state prisons. Value: 4283.0 parole releases Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: parole,reentry Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] CY 2025 deaths in custody: 301 (2.19% of releases) In CY 2025, 301 deaths in custody were recorded, comprising 2.19% of total releases. Value: 301.0 deaths Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: death,medical Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] 2019 parole approval: 9,455 from 24,738 cases (38%) In 2019, 9,455 parole grants were made from 24,738 cases considered, a 38% approval rate. Value: 9455.0 parole grants (vs. 38 percent approval rate) Date: 2019-01-01 Tags: parole Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] 2024 parole approval: 5,443 from 19,328 cases (28%) In 2024, 5,443 parole grants were made from 19,328 cases considered, a 28% approval rate. Value: 5443.0 parole grants (vs. 28 percent approval rate) Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: parole Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Life sentence parole approval rate: 4.5% in FY2024 The life sentence parole approval rate was 4.5%, with only 93 approvals from 2,046 cases considered in FY2024. Value: 4.5 percent approval rate Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: parole,legal Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Average life sentence time before release: 31.1 years (2025) The average time served for a life sentence before release is 31.1 years as of 2025. Value: 31.1 years Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: parole,demographics Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [confirmed] Pretrial detainees constituted 56% of Georgia jail population in 2015 In 2015, pretrial detainees constituted 56% of the total jail population in Georgia. Value: 56.0 percent of jail population Date: 2015-01-01 Tags: demographics,legal Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia; Bureau of Justice Statistics - Annual Survey of Jails; Bureau of Justice Statistics - Census of Jails - [confirmed] 49,488 people in Georgia prison system in 2018 In 2018, there were 49,488 people in the Georgia prison system. Value: 49488.0 people Date: 2018-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [confirmed] Black people: 51% of jail population, 32% of state population In Georgia, Black people constituted 32% of state residents, but 51% of people in jail and 60% of people in prison. Value: 51.0 percent of jail population (vs. 32 percent of state population) Date: 2015-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia; Bureau of Justice Statistics - Annual Survey of Jails; Bureau of Justice Statistics - Census of Jails - [confirmed] 84,556 total people locked up in Georgia (Vera state total) Vera Institute reported a state total of 84,556 people locked up in Georgia. Value: 84556.0 people Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [confirmed] Georgia ranked 3rd regionally in total incarceration Georgia ranked 3rd of 7 in regional ranking for total incarceration. Value: 3.0 regional rank of 7 Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [confirmed] One in five Black Americans born in 2001 likely to be incarcerated One in five Black people born in 2001 is likely to be incarcerated in their lifetime, compared to one in 10 Latinx people and one in 29 white people. Date: 2019-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [reported] 59% of Georgia jail population is legally innocent (pretrial) 59% of people in Georgia jails are legally innocent (unconvicted, pretrial). Value: 59.0 percent pretrial/unconvicted Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: legal,demographics Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data; Bureau of Justice Statistics - Annual Survey of Jails; Bureau of Justice Statistics - Census of Jails; Prison Policy Initiative - Georgia Profile - [reported] 1 in 8 Atlanta city jail bookings involve homeless individuals 1 in 8 Atlanta city jail bookings involve homeless individuals. Value: 12.5 percent of bookings Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics,conditions Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data; Prison Policy Initiative - Georgia Profile - [estimated] ~10,000 inmates serving life sentences in Georgia Approximately 10,000 inmates are serving life sentences in Georgia state prisons. Value: 10000.0 inmates Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics,legal Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data; Georgia Department of Corrections Population and Release Data (2024-2025) - [reported] Average life sentence: 26 years served The average time served for a life sentence in Georgia is 26 years. Value: 26.0 years Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics,legal Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] 15,000 verified gang members in GDC custody There are 15,000 verified gang members in Georgia Department of Corrections custody. Value: 15000.0 verified gang members Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: gangs,violence Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data; Georgia Department of Corrections Population and Release Data (2024-2025) - [reported] 14,000 inmates receiving mental health treatment 14,000 inmates in Georgia state prisons are receiving mental health treatment. Value: 14000.0 inmates Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: mental_health,medical Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] 19,000 inmates with chronic illness treatment 19,000 inmates in Georgia state prisons are receiving treatment for chronic illness. Value: 19000.0 inmates Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: medical Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] 99,000+ monthly prescriptions in Georgia prisons More than 99,000 prescriptions are filled monthly in Georgia state prisons. Value: 99000.0 monthly prescriptions Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: medical,budget Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data; Georgia Department of Corrections Population and Release Data (2024-2025) - [reported] General recidivism rate: 26% The general recidivism rate for Georgia state prisons is 26%. Value: 26.0 percent Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: reentry Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Vocational program completers: 13.64% recidivism The recidivism rate for vocational program completers in Georgia is 13.64%, roughly half the general rate of 26%. Value: 13.64 percent recidivism (vs. 26 percent general recidivism) Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: reentry,program Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Parole completion rate: 73% (exceeds national average) Georgia's parole completion rate is 73%, exceeding the 60% national average. Value: 73.0 percent completion (vs. 60 percent national average) Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: parole,reentry Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data; Bureau of Justice Statistics - 2023 National Context Data; Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles Data (FY2019-FY2024) - [reported] Daily incarceration cost: $86.61 per person The daily cost of incarcerating one person in a Georgia state prison is $86.61. Value: 86.61 dollars per day per person Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: budget Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Annual cost per inmate: $31,612 The annual cost per inmate in Georgia state prisons is $31,612. Value: 31612.0 dollars per year Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: budget Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Daily parole supervision cost: $3.13 per person The daily cost of parole supervision in Georgia is $3.13 per person, compared to $86.61 per day for incarceration. Value: 3.13 dollars per day per person (vs. 86.61 daily incarceration cost) Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: budget,parole Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Total GDC budget: $1.62 billion (FY2026) The total Georgia Department of Corrections budget for FY2026 is $1.62 billion. Value: 1.62 billion dollars Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: budget Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Peak Georgia prison population: 54,463 in 2007 Georgia's prison population peaked at 54,463 in 2007. Value: 54463.0 inmates Date: 2007-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [estimated] COVID low: ~47,000 in 2021 Georgia's prison population dropped to approximately 47,000 in 2021, the lowest point during the COVID period. Value: 47000.0 people Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [confirmed] Black men are 13% of male population but 35% of incarcerated nationally Black men constitute about 13 percent of the male population, but about 35 percent of those incarcerated nationally. Value: 35.0 percent of incarcerated population (vs. 13 percent of male population) Date: 2019-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia FINDINGS (6) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Georgia ranks among top states for incarceration Georgia ranks among the top states for incarceration nationally. Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Georgia among 12 states where >50% of prison population is Black Georgia is among 12 states where more than 50% of the prison population is Black. Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] Aging prison population driven by declining parole and longer sentences The aging prison population in Georgia is driven by declining parole rates and longer sentences. Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: demographics,parole,medical Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [confirmed] Highest prison admission rates are in rural counties On a per capita basis, the most rural places in Georgia often lock up the most people in jail and send the most people to prison. Today, the highest rates of prison admissions are in rural counties. Date: 2015-01-01 Tags: demographics,facilities Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [reported] Georgia jails serve as de facto mental health facilities Jails in Georgia serve as de facto mental health facilities. Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: mental_health,conditions Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data; Prison Policy Initiative - Georgia Profile - [confirmed] Southern states incarcerate at higher rates than other regions Southern states collectively incarcerate at higher rates than other regions of the United States. Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: demographics Sources: BJS 2023 Report; Bureau of Justice Statistics - 2023 National Context Data TRENDS (22) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] 42% drop in parole releases over 5 years (2019-2024) Parole releases dropped 42% over 5 years, from 9,455 granted from 24,738 cases (38%) in 2019 to 5,443 granted from 19,328 cases (28%) in 2024. Tags: parole,policy Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data; Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles Data (FY2019-FY2024) - [reported] Average time served increased 27% from 2014 to 2023 Average time served in Georgia prisons increased 27%, from 3.94 years in 2014 to 5.00 years in 2023. Tags: demographics,parole Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data; Georgia Incarceration Length of Stay Data (2014-2023) - [reported] 10-15 year sentences: 45% jump in time served (2014-2023) For 10-15 year sentences, average time served jumped 45% from 4.67 years in 2014 to 6.77 years in 2023. Tags: demographics,parole Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [reported] COVID spike in average time served never returned to baseline Average time served spiked from 4.45 years in 2019 to 5.55 years in 2021 due to COVID disruptions, and never returned to pre-pandemic baseline. Tags: demographics,parole Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data - [confirmed] Jail population increased 1,562% since 1970 in Georgia Since 1970, the total jail population in Georgia has increased 1,562%. Tags: demographics,facilities Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia; Bureau of Justice Statistics - Annual Survey of Jails; Bureau of Justice Statistics - Census of Jails - [confirmed] Jail population increased 26% since 2000 Since 2000, the total jail population in Georgia has increased 26%. Tags: demographics,facilities Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia; Bureau of Justice Statistics - Annual Survey of Jails; Bureau of Justice Statistics - Census of Jails - [confirmed] Prison custody population increased 222% since 1983 Since 1983, the prison custody population in Georgia has increased 222%. Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [confirmed] Prison population increased 12% since 2000 Since 2000, the prison population in Georgia has increased 12%. Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [confirmed] Women in jail increased 1,107% since 1980 in Georgia Since 1980, the number of women in jail in Georgia has increased 1,107%. Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [confirmed] Women in prison increased 600% since 1980 in Georgia Since 1980, the number of women in prison in Georgia has increased 600%. Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [confirmed] Women in Georgia prisons: from 497 (1978) to 3,779 (2017) The number of women in Georgia's prisons increased more than sevenfold, from 497 in 1978 to 3,779 in 2017. Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [confirmed] Women in Georgia jails: from 227 (1970) to 5,228 (2015) The number of women in Georgia's jails increased more than 23-fold, from 227 in 1970 to 5,228 in 2015. Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [confirmed] Black jail incarceration rate decreased 28% since 1990 Since 1990, the Black jail incarceration rate in Georgia has decreased 28 percent. In 2015, Black people were incarcerated in jail at 2.1 times the rate of white people. Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [confirmed] Black prison incarceration rate increased 79% since 1978 Since 1978, the Black prison incarceration rate in Georgia has increased 79 percent. In 2017, Black people were incarcerated in prison at 2.7 times the rate of white people. Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [confirmed] Pretrial incarceration increased 33% in rural counties since 2000 Since 2000, the pretrial incarceration rate has increased 33% in Georgia's 85 rural counties, 9% in 45 small/medium counties, decreased 46% in the one urban county, and decreased 1% in 28 suburban counties. Tags: demographics,legal Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [confirmed] Georgia's total incarceration increased 329% Georgia's total incarceration has increased 329% over the historical period studied. Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [confirmed] Men's jail admissions declined 26% since 2008 nationally Although men's jail admissions have declined by 26 percent since 2008, women's admissions have increased both as a total number and as a proportion of all jail admissions nationally. Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia; Bureau of Justice Statistics - Annual Survey of Jails - [confirmed] Women now make up almost 1 in 4 jail admissions nationally Women now make up almost one out of every four jail admissions nationally, up from fewer than one in 10 in 1983. Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia; Bureau of Justice Statistics - Annual Survey of Jails - [confirmed] Georgia prison population increased 7% between 2021-2023 Georgia prison population increased 7% between 2021 and 2023, as state prison populations nationally were rebounding post-COVID. Tags: demographics Sources: BJS 2023 Report; Bureau of Justice Statistics - 2023 National Context Data - [reported] Corrections budget increased 44% from FY2022-FY2026 The Georgia corrections budget increased 44% from FY2022 to FY2026, an increase of approximately $500 million. Tags: budget Sources: Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data; GDC FY2026 Budget - [confirmed] Pretrial incarceration decreased 46% in urban county since 2000 The pretrial incarceration rate decreased 46% in Georgia's one urban county since 2000, while increasing 33% in rural counties. Tags: demographics,legal Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia - [confirmed] Number of women in U.S. jails increased 14-fold since 1970 Since 1970, the number of women in U.S. jails has increased 14-fold—from fewer than 8,000 to nearly 110,000 in 2013. Tags: demographics Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia DATA GAPS (1) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Latinx incarceration data distorted by misclassification Nationally, common data misclassification leads to distorted, lower estimates of Latinx incarceration rates and distorted, higher estimates of white incarceration rates. Smaller and inconsistent data reporting make it difficult to measure the effects of racism for incarcerated people of other racial groups. Date: 2019-01-01 Tags: demographics,data_gap Sources: Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia DATASETS (9) ---------------------------------------- # Georgia Historical Prison Population (1989-2025) Georgia state prison population at key time points from 1989 through 2025, showing growth, peak, COVID decline, and recovery. Year Population Note --------------------------------------------------- 1989 20825 2007 54463 Peak 2018 49488 Vera data 2019 54000 Pre-COVID 2021 47000 COVID low 2023 51000 7% increase from 2021 2025 53000 Approaching pre-pandemic levels # Georgia CY 2025 Prison Releases by Type Breakdown of all releases from Georgia state prisons in calendar year 2025 by release type. Release Type Count Percentage -------------------------------------------- Max-out (full sentence) 7486 54.55 Parole releases 4283 31.21 Deaths in custody 301 2.19 Other 1654 12.05 Total 13724 100 # Georgia Parole Grant Trends (2019 vs 2024) Comparison of parole cases considered and grants approved in 2019 and 2024, showing significant decline. Year Cases Considered Grants Approved Approval Rate -------------------------------------------------------- 2019 24738 9455 38 2024 19328 5443 28 # Average Time Served in Georgia Prisons (2014-2023) Average length of stay for Georgia prisoners over time, showing a 27% increase. Year Average Time Served --------------------------- 2014 3.94 2019 4.45 2021 5.55 2023 5 # Average Time Served for 10-15 Year Sentences (2014 vs 2023) Change in average time served for people with 10-15 year sentences, showing a 45% increase. Year Average Time Served --------------------------- 2014 4.67 2023 6.77 # Georgia Prison Racial Composition Racial breakdown of Georgia's prison population compared to state population. Race/Ethnicity Prison Population State Population ----------------------------------------------------- Black 61 31 White 35 Hispanic 4 # Georgia Pretrial Incarceration Rate Change by County Type (Since 2000) Percentage change in pretrial incarceration rate since 2000 by county classification type. County Type Number of Counties Rate Change Since 2000 ---------------------------------------------------------- Urban 1 -46 Suburban 28 -1 Small/Medium 45 9 Rural 85 33 # Women in Georgia's Prisons and Jails (Historical) Historical growth in number of women incarcerated in Georgia's prisons and jails. Facility Type Start Year Start Count End Year End Count Percent Change ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prisons 1978 497 2017 3779 660% Jails 1970 227 2015 5228 2203% # Georgia Incarceration Cost Metrics Cost comparison between incarceration and parole supervision in Georgia. Metric Daily Cost Annual Cost -------------------------------------------------------- Incarceration per person 86.61 31612 Parole supervision per person 3.13 KEY ENTITIES (6) ---------------------------------------- - Arnold Ventures [organization]: Organization that provided funding support for the Vera Institute incarceration trends report. - Bureau of Justice Statistics [organization]: Federal statistical agency within DOJ that collected and published mortality in correctional institutions data from approximately 2000 until 2019. (aka: BJS) - 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 State Board of Pardons and Paroles [organization]: Georgia state agency responsible for parole decisions - Jacob Kang-Brown [person]: Senior research associate at the Vera Institute of Justice and contact for the Georgia incarceration trends fact sheet. - Vera Institute of Justice [organization]: Research organization focused on criminal justice; published Health Care Behind Bars report (2025) (aka: Vera Institute, Vera) SOURCES (17) ---------------------------------------- - BJS 2023 Report, Bureau of Justice Statistics (2023-01-01) [official_report, primary] - Bureau of Justice Statistics - 2023 National Context Data, U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (2023-01-01) [data_portal, primary] - Bureau of Justice Statistics - Annual Survey of Jails, U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics by E. Ann Carson, Todd Minton, Zhen Zeng [data_portal, primary] - Bureau of Justice Statistics - Census of Jails, U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics by E. Ann Carson, Todd Minton, Zhen Zeng [data_portal, primary] - Bureau of Justice Statistics - National Corrections Reporting Program, U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics by E. Ann Carson, Todd Minton, Zhen Zeng [data_portal, primary] - Bureau of Justice Statistics - National Prisoner Statistics Program, U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics by E. Ann Carson, Todd Minton, Zhen Zeng [data_portal, primary] - GDC FY2026 Budget, Georgia Department of Corrections (2025-01-01) [official_report, primary] - GDC Recidivism Data, Georgia Department of Corrections [official_report, primary] - Georgia Department of Corrections Population and Release Data (2024-2025), Georgia Department of Corrections (2025-01-01) [official_report, primary] - Georgia Incarceration Length of Stay Data (2014-2023), Georgia Department of Corrections (2023-01-01) [official_report, primary] - Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles Data (FY2019-FY2024), Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles (2024-01-01) [official_report, primary] - National Center for Health Statistics Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties, National Center for Health Statistics [official_report, primary] - Prison Policy Initiative - Georgia Profile, Prison Policy Initiative [official_report, secondary] - Research Compilation: Georgia Incarceration Trends & Population Data, Georgia Prisoners' Speak (2025-01-01) [gps_original, tertiary] - Vera Institute County-Level Incarceration Trends Data, Vera Institute of Justice [data_portal, primary] URL: https://trends.vera.org - Vera Institute of Justice: Incarceration Trends in Georgia, Vera Institute of Justice by Christian Henrichson, Eital Schattner-Elmaleh, Jacob Kang-Brown, Oliver Hinds, James Wallace-Lee (2019-12-01) [official_report, secondary] URL: https://www.vera.org/state-incarceration-trends - Vera's State Fact Sheets: Data and Methods, Vera Institute of Justice (2019-01-01) [academic, secondary] URL: https://www.vera.org/incarceration-trends-fact-sheets-data-and-methods.pdf