GPS RESEARCH LIBRARY: Health care in Georgia's prisons: who provides it, what it costs, and what audits, courts and deaths show, 2015 to 2026 ============================================================ Georgia Prisoners' Speak — gps.press Generated: 2026-10-24 16:38:47 EDT Research Date: 2026-10-22 Topic: Georgia prison health care: providers and contracts, spending, staffing, audits, DOJ findings, Augusta State Medical Prison, deaths in custody and litigation JSON: https://gps.press/research-data/health-care-in-georgias-prisons-who-provides-it-what-it-costs-and-what-audits-courts-and-deaths-show-2015-to-2026/?format=json SUMMARY ---------------------------------------- This collection sets out facts from public sources on the subject in its title, drawn from Georgia, federal sources, national and multi-state sources and other sources. Each entry gives a short statement, the exact passage from the source that supports it, and the source's title, web address and the date it was retrieved. Searches of a source that found no match are listed too, with the wordings that were tried. The entries record what each source said when it was retrieved. They aren't a complete account of the subject, and they don't add analysis or conclusions. FINDINGS (35) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Augusta Correctional and Medical Institution opened in FY83 for infirmary care Georgia's FY1982-83 Biennial Report of the Board of Corrections states that the Augusta Correctional and Medical Institution opened in FY83 for the purpose of providing infirmary-level services and access to specialty services. Date: 1983-01-01 Tags: medical,facilities,history Sources: Biennial report 1982-1983 - [reported] Georgia spent less per inmate on healthcare than most surveyed states in FY2013 The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts surveyed twelve other states on fiscal year 2013 healthcare costs per inmate and found that Georgia spends less per inmate than most other states. Date: 2013-01-01 Tags: medical,budget Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [reported] ACMI provided care for sickest inmates including unstable diabetes, renal disease, AIDS Georgia's FY1994 GDC Annual Report states that the Augusta Correctional Medical Institution (ACMI) is crucial in the delivery of health care services throughout the system, providing care for the sickest inmates such as those with unstable diabetes, renal disease, and AIDS. Date: 1994-01-01 Tags: medical,facilities,history Sources: 1994 annual report - [reported] EMS response delayed 30 minutes on average at GDC prison The DOJ report quotes an EMS director's estimate that EMS teams are delayed an average of 30 minutes during emergency responses to a GDC prison while waiting for security staff to open the three gates necessary to access the prison's medical department. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: medical,staffing,conditions Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Pew report found nine states spending less than Georgia per inmate in 2011 The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts report cites a recent Pew report, using data reported from 2007 and 2011, that found nine states spending less than Georgia per inmate in 2011. Date: 2011-01-01 Tags: medical,budget Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [reported] Augusta State Medical Prison provides hospital-level care including specialists and surgery A Georgia State Auditor report on Inmate Health Care (FY2004) states that Augusta State Medical Prison provides a broad range of hospital-level care services for inmates, including medical specialists and surgery. Date: 2004-01-01 Tags: medical,facilities Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Care Program Evaluation (2004-10) - [reported] Centurion bid on 2021 healthcare contract and already provided mental health and dental services The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Centurion was among the bidders seeking to win the healthcare contract that was awarded in 2021, and that the company has long provided mental health services for the GDC and more recently became the provider of dental care. Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: medical,mental_health,policy Sources: Lawsuit accuses Ga. prison system of violating state law to replace healthcare provider - [reported] GDC denies violence role in Wellpath exit A GDC spokesperson said the department had no knowledge that violence played a role in Wellpath's decision to end its contract, and that the company was instead concerned about 'the rising costs of healthcare in general.' Tags: medical,staffing,violence,policy Sources: Violence, suicides mount in Georgia’s woefully understaffed prisons - [reported] Georgia State Prison first in U.S. to receive AMA accreditation for health care Georgia State Prison's GDC fact sheet lists it as the first prison in the United States to receive American Medical Association accreditation for health care delivery services. Tags: medical,facilities,history Sources: Georgia State Prison GEORGIA - [reported] State-by-state FY2013 healthcare cost comparison: two lower, two similar, four higher The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts report states that most states surveyed spent more than Georgia in fiscal year 2013 in either physical healthcare or total healthcare; two states (Illinois and South Carolina) spent less, two (Tennessee and Utah) spent approximately the same, and four spent more. Date: 2013-01-01 Tags: medical,budget Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [reported] Rankin resignation letter on violence against medical staff Mary Rankin, a former health services administrator at Phillips State Prison, wrote in her resignation letter: 'Recently, there has been little to no security staff covering the medical department, and inmate violence against medical staff has increased. I do not feel safe working here.' Tags: staffing,violence,medical,facilities Sources: Violence, suicides mount in Georgia’s woefully understaffed prisons - [reported] Former medical contractor alleged violence drove high trauma-care costs The DOJ report states that in a state-court lawsuit against GDC, GDC's former medical contractor alleged in its pleadings that GDC's failure to control violence in the prisons led to extraordinarily high medical costs for trauma care. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: violence,medical,legal,budget Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Wellpath provided care to over 40,000 Georgia prisoners since 2021 The AJC reported that since 2021, Wellpath has provided health care for Georgia's more than 40,000 state prisoners, but the Nashville-based company sent notice that it would end its contract seven years early. Tags: medical,policy,operations Sources: Violence, suicides mount in Georgia’s woefully understaffed prisons - [reported] Medical Association of Georgia flagged Arrendale staffing in 2022 accreditation When Lee Arrendale State Prison, Georgia's largest facility for women, was subject to accreditation by the Medical Association of Georgia in 2022, the organization warned that staffing levels were a concern even as it approved the facility. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: staffing,medical,facilities Sources: Violence, suicides mount in Georgia’s woefully understaffed prisons - [reported] SCHR 14-page letter warns of 'humanitarian disaster' at Valdosta The Southern Center for Human Rights sent a 14-page letter to Georgia Department of Corrections officials warning of a 'humanitarian disaster unfolding at Valdosta State Prison' and said the facility's conditions are illegal and violate the U.S. Constitution. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: conditions,legal,facilities Sources: AJC: Valdosta prison — Southern Center for Human Rights report - [reported] Physician at Augusta State Medical Prison warned staffing shortage increased risk of mistakes and delayed care Prison Legal News reported that a physician at Augusta State Medical Prison, Dr. Taylor, said the staffing shortage was resulting in increased risk of mistakes and delayed care, pointing to wound care. Tags: staffing,medical Sources: Georgia: Doctors and Nurses Warn Prison Medical Care is in Jeopardy - [reported] Valdosta cells: mold, vermin, >100°F, no A/C, sewage The SCHR letter said cells at Valdosta State Prison are infested with mold and vermin, temperatures can exceed 100 degrees with no air conditioning, and a 'shocking number' of cells are without functioning sinks or toilets with floors covered with waste and sewage. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: conditions,facilities Sources: AJC: Valdosta prison — Southern Center for Human Rights report - [reported] FY2016: offender health care was GDC's second-largest budget program GDC's FY2016 annual report states that offender healthcare was the second largest budget program within the agency and that GDC contracted with Georgia Correctional HealthCare (GCHC), a division of Georgia Regents University, to provide medical care to the offender population. Date: 2016-01-01 Tags: medical,budget,policy Sources: gdc.georgia.gov: gdc annual fiscal report 2016 - [reported] GDC officials denied and defied DOJ report, hindered investigation Prison Legal News reported that GDC officials responded to the DOJ report with denial and defiance, and also blocked access to government documents and generally hindered the investigation, according to the DOJ. Tags: investigations,corruption Sources: Prison Legal News: "DOJ Finds 'Horrific and Inhumane' Conditions in Georgia Prisons" - [reported] Centurion of Georgia corporate parentage In the Benjamin v. Oliver certificate of interested persons, plaintiffs identified Centurion of Georgia, LLC as a wholly owned subsidiary of MHM Services, Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centurion Equity, Inc. Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: medical,legal,operations Sources: Benjamin v. Oliver, 2025-12-03 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Understaffing leaves victims of gang violence waiting for guard escort to medical care Prison Legal News reported that without enough guards to fill critical positions, fewer are available to escort prisoners to outside medical services, leaving victims of gang violence caused by chronic understaffing to bleed out from a treatable stab wound while waiting for a guard escort to emergency medical treatment. Tags: staffing,violence,medical Sources: Prison Legal News: "DOJ Finds 'Horrific and Inhumane' Conditions in Georgia Prisons" - [reported] GDC response to DOJ Notice Letter GDC's statement responding to the DOJ Notice Letter said the agency was 'extremely disappointed' and that 'the State of Georgia's prison system operates in a manner exceeding the requirements of the United States Constitution,' contrary to DOJ's allegations. Tags: investigations,legal,policy Sources: WALB News 10, "WALB Investigates: Georgia Dept. of Corrections responds to DOJ prisons report," October 2, 2024 - [reported] Randy Sauls identified as GDC Assistant Commissioner of Health Services GDC's Assistant Commissioner of Health Services introduced at a Senate Study Committee meeting was Randy Sauls. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: staffing,medical Sources: senate.ga.gov: 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport, 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport [2] - [reported] DOJ findings report recommended 82 remedial measures DOJ's findings report recommended 82 remedial measures for GDC to implement 'at minimum,' addressing staffing, supervision, incident response, investigations, contraband, facility conditions, and classification and housing. Tags: investigations,policy,staffing,contraband,conditions Sources: DOJ Investigation of Georgia Prisons, Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse - [confirmed] 2007 DOAA: OHS did not perform executive mortality reviews; only 30 of 233 deaths reviewed DOAA's 2007 Special Examination found that OHS does not perform executive mortality reviews of inmate deaths and is unable to locate medical files for many deceased inmates; OHS's review of files for calendar years 2005 and 2006 revealed only 30 of 233 deaths (excluding executions) had evidence a mortality review was performed. Tags: death,medical,investigations,data_gap Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Care Follow-up (2007-08) - [confirmed] GDC response: 41 of 86 misplaced deceased-inmate files located to date The State Auditor's report found 86 of 203 files on deceased inmates could not be located at the time of the audit, and GDC's response stated that 41 of the 86 misplaced files had been located to date; GDC also reported approval to contract with an external reviewer for mortality reviews. Date: 2007-01-01 Tags: death,medical,investigations,data_gap Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Care Follow-up (2007-08) - [reported] Dr. Timothy Young: ASMP healthcare hindered by black mold, officer shortage, 1,000-request medical backlog Dr. Timothy Young, a physician at Augusta State Medical Prison, described the healthcare system there as having problems including black mold, a shortage of security officers, and a backlog of a thousand requests for medical care. Tags: medical,staffing,conditions,facilities Sources: Doctor: Healthcare at Augusta State Medical Prison hindered by widespread, systematic problems - [reported] Dr. Young: ASMP operating room offline due to known maintenance issue; short a physician and bed space Dr. Young said the operating room at Augusta State Medical Prison was offline because of a known maintenance issue, and that the facility was short a physician and bed space. Tags: medical,staffing,conditions,facilities Sources: Doctor: Healthcare at Augusta State Medical Prison hindered by widespread, systematic problems - [reported] Wellpath has provided GDC health care since 2021 Wellpath, the Nashville-based company that has provided health care for the department since 2021, also asserts that it was blind-sided by the out-of-control violence in Georgia prisons. Tags: medical,violence Sources: Lawsuit accuses Georgia prison system of violating law to replace healthcare provider - [reported] Pew: Georgia among nine states reporting private-prison health care costs Pew's 'State Prison Health Care Spending' report notes that Georgia was one of nine states contracting with private prisons that were able to provide information about health care costs for inmates in private prisons. Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: budget,medical,operations Sources: A report from The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation July 2014 - [reported] Centurion held GDC behavioral/dental contract since 1997 under name MHM Centurion was the incumbent on the GDC behavioral and dental contract and had held it since 1997 under the name MHM. Tags: medical,mental_health,policy Sources: Georgia Corrections Awards Behavioral & Dental Contract To Incumbent Centene - OPEN MINDS - [reported] Vera: six states, including Georgia, exceeded 20% health care share in 2015 Vera Institute's 'The Price of Prisons' report states that in 2015, in six states -- Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, and South Dakota -- health care spending exceeded 20 percent of the state's prison spending. Date: 2015-01-01 Tags: budget,medical Sources: May 2017 (vera-institute.files.svdcdn.com) - [confirmed] DOJ: segregation can cause severe psychological damage DOJ's report states segregation can cause severe psychological damage, especially when it involves near-complete isolation and sensory deprivation or extends for a prolonged period of time, citing PREA standards on housing people at high risk of sexual victimization. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: solitary,mental_health,conditions,legal Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [confirmed] Counselor staffing 50% or lower at several of 16 prisons reviewed DOJ's report found that in a review of data from 16 GDC prisons from January 2022 to August 2023, most of the prisons reviewed failed to fully staff allotted classification counselor positions, with several having counselor staffing rates in the 50% range or lower. Tags: staffing,operations,investigations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [confirmed] ASMP among facilities examined by DOJ The DOJ report lists Augusta State Medical Prison among the facilities it examined, alongside other named GDC prisons. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: investigations,facilities Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) POLICYS (77) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] GDC privatized healthcare with Wellpath in 2021 after 23 years with Augusta University division The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the GDC contracted with Wellpath in 2021 when the agency decided to privatize healthcare after 23 years with Georgia Correctional HealthCare, a division of Augusta University. Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: policy,medical,budget Sources: Lawsuit accuses Ga. prison system of violating state law to replace healthcare provider - [reported] FY2020 MHM-Centurion 10-year $40 million mental health and dental contract In FY2020, GDC entered into a 10-year, $40 million contract with MHM-Centurion to provide mental health services and dental health, moving from a primary mental health personnel contract to a service provision contract with 100% mental health services provided by MHM-Centurion. Tags: medical,mental_health,policy,budget Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2020 - [confirmed] GDC SOP 507.02.02: health record is GDC property, health information belongs to patient GDC SOP 507.02.02 'Confidentiality of the Health Record and Release of Information' states that the health record is the property of GDC and will be maintained per professional standards, while the health information contained in the record belongs to the patient. Tags: medical,policy,operations Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.02.02, Confidentiality of the Health Record and Release of Information (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] Wellpath contract had nine one-year renewal options with opt-out provision The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Wellpath's GDC healthcare contract included nine one-year options for renewal, with Wellpath able to opt out at any point as long as it gave notice. Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: policy,budget,medical Sources: Lawsuit accuses Ga. prison system of violating state law to replace healthcare provider - [confirmed] GDC SOP 507.04.03: health complaint investigated within 7 working days, written reply within 14 GDC SOP 507.04.03 'Offender Health Concerns and Complaints' requires the Responsible Health Authority to investigate a health care concern no later than seven working days from receipt and to provide a written reply to the offender within fourteen working days. Tags: medical,policy,operations Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.03, Offender Health Concerns and Complaints (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] GDC planned July 2020 RFP for pharmaceutical services In July 2020, GDC planned to issue a request for proposals for pharmaceutical services. Tags: medical,policy,operations Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2020 - [confirmed] GDC SOP 507.04.03: complaint files retained at facility for four years GDC SOP 507.04.03 requires the Responsible Health Authority to maintain a copy of each health concern/complaint and reply at the facility for four years from the date of the reply to the offender. Tags: medical,policy,operations Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.03, Offender Health Concerns and Complaints (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] GDC partnered with Alliant in April 2020 for medical consult pre-authorization In April 2020, GDC partnered with Alliant to provide pre-authorization services for medical consults aligned with Georgia's Medicaid program. Tags: medical,policy,operations Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2020 - [confirmed] GDC SOP 507.03.03: staffing proposals submitted to contract vendor regional manager GDC SOP 507.03.03 'Staffing Levels' requires the Responsible Health Authority to submit a written staffing proposal to the contract vendor regional manager when additional health care personnel are determined to be needed, and requires the Office of Health Services and the health services contract vendor to develop staffing standards based on objective workload data. Tags: medical,staffing,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.03.03, Staffing Levels (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] Sliding-scale cost-sharing for private-prison inmate hospitalizations A state audit describes a stop-loss arrangement with private prison operators: if the cost of a single inmate's hospitalization, or the hospitalization of several inmates for a single incident, is $25,000 or above, GDC pays a portion of the cost on a sliding scale: $0 to $24,999 = 0% GDC share; $25,000 to $49,999 = 50%; $50,000 to $99,999 = 75%; $100,000 or more = 100%. GDC also has the option to transfer the most expensive inmates to a GDC facility. Tags: medical,budget,policy Sources: Performance (audits.ga.gov) - [confirmed] GDC SOP 507.03.03: Health Services Director proposes facility staffing plans with vendor GDC SOP 507.03.03 requires the GDC Health Services Director, in coordination with the health services contract vendor, to be responsible for proposing staffing plans for each GDC facility. Tags: medical,staffing,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.03.03, Staffing Levels (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] FY25 contract pharmacy supplier serves 65 facilities As of the FY25 Annual Report, GDC utilizes a contract pharmacy supplier to administer, identify, acquire, and distribute pharmaceutical products to each of its 65 facilities that house offenders, and the pharmacy supplier participates in several national drug-purchasing programs. Tags: medical,operations,facilities,budget Sources: FY25 (gdc.georgia.gov) - [confirmed] GDC 2016 Hepatitis C policy update GDC updated its Hepatitis C treatment policy in August 2016, recognizing a new class of HCV antiviral drugs, requiring a FibroSure test instead of a liver biopsy, and creating three priority levels for treatment with medication generally reserved for Priority 1 patients. Date: 2016-08-01 Tags: medical,policy,hepatitis Sources: Ricky J. Johnson v. Dr. Sharon Lewis, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2023-10-11 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] GDC healthcare contract has three separately bid statewide components GDC Assistant Commissioner of Health Services Randy Sauls told the Senate Study Committee that GDC's healthcare contract has three primary components with separately established RFPs: physical healthcare, dental and mental care, and pharmacy, each as single, state-wide contracts. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: medical,policy,budget Sources: cdn.thegeorgiavirtue.com: 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport - [reported] GDC pays for all inmate healthcare except pharmaceutical copays; inability to pay does not bar pharmacy care Assistant Commissioner Randy Sauls told the Senate Study Committee that GDC pays for all inmate healthcare services while in custody aside from co-pays related to pharmaceuticals, and that ability to pay does not prevent an inmate from receiving pharmacy care. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: medical,policy Sources: cdn.thegeorgiavirtue.com: 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport - [reported] November 2021 Board presentation on Healthcare Transition Update At a Board of Corrections meeting, GDC's Office of Health Services presented a Healthcare Transition Update discussing Pharmacy - Correct Rx, Wellpath - Transition Phase 1, and the Mental Health Expansion, including the Wellpath Healthcare Provider timeline for Phase 1 and Assumption of Operations. Tags: medical,policy,operations,mental_health Sources: Board Meeting Minutes November 2021 - [reported] Senate Study Committee first recommendation: increase mental health services for inmates and staff The Senate Study Committee's first recommendation in its final report was increasing mental health services available to the incarcerated population and staff, and increasing availability of counselors and mental health care for officers, staff, and the incarcerated through the RFP process. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: mental_health,policy,staffing Sources: cdn.thegeorgiavirtue.com: 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport - [reported] GDC skipped RFP for Centurion contract, citing emergency procurement under 2021 bid Georgia Public Broadcasting reported that in the Centurion switch, the Georgia Department of Corrections did not post a request for proposal, something state agencies are normally required to do if services will cost over $100,000, and instead the agency was given permission to sign with Centurion under the same bid from 2021, citing the need for an emergency procurement. Tags: policy,legal,budget,corruption Sources: Georgia prisons will soon have a new healthcare provider after contract was brought into question - [reported] FY2023: Centurion provides mental health services; all facilities have on-site access GDC's FY2023 Annual Report states GDC partners with Centurion for the provision of mental health services, and that all GDC facilities have a mental health mission with on-site access to mental health services. Tags: mental_health,medical,policy,facilities Sources: FY23 Annual Report - [reported] Senate Study Committee third recommendation: audit five years of contract renewals for runaway costs The Senate Study Committee's third recommendation was asking the Georgia Department of Audits to review all contract renewals for the past five years to see if there is a pattern of runaway costs by any vendors. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: budget,policy,investigations Sources: cdn.thegeorgiavirtue.com: 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport - [confirmed] SOP 507.04.05 exempts intake, infectious disease, chronic care, prenatal and emergency services from copay GDC SOP 507.04.05 lists medical services exempt from the copay fee, including intake screening, communicable disease screening, physicals, emergencies, chronic illness clinic encounters, and prenatal/obstetrical visits, and states that medications excluded from copay include HIV, psychotropic, Hepatitis C, antibiotics, and chronic-illness medications. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: medical,policy,mental_health Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.05, Charges to Offender Accounts for Health Care Provided (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] GCHC provided physical, mental health, and dental triad of services GDC's annual report states the Department contracts with Georgia Correctional HealthCare (GCHC), a division of Georgia Regents University, and that the healthcare triad GCHC provides encompasses physical, mental health and dental needs, with physical and mental health services available 24/7 and dental care through scheduled services. Date: 2016-01-01 Tags: medical,mental_health,policy Sources: gdc.georgia.gov: gdc annual fiscal report 2016 - [confirmed] SOP 507.04.05 guarantees care regardless of ability to pay GDC SOP 507.04.05 states offenders will not be denied medical care regardless of ability to pay for medical services or medications. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: medical,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.05, Charges to Offender Accounts for Health Care Provided (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] Senate Study Committee recommends increasing mental health services and auditing contract renewals The Georgia Senate's Supporting Safety and Welfare of All Individuals in Department of Corrections Study Committee recommended increasing mental health services for incarcerated people and staff, increasing availability of counselors and mental health care through the RFP process, and asking the Georgia Department of Audits to review all contract renewals for the past five years to identify patterns of runaway costs by vendors. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: mental_health,policy,budget Sources: senate.ga.gov: 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport - [confirmed] Copay disputes must be appealed within five working days; self-initiated charges otherwise not grievable GDC SOP 507.04.05 provides that charges for self-initiated medical or dental treatment cannot be grieved except through a dispute of charges that must be submitted within five working days following the date service was rendered. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: medical,policy,legal Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.05, Charges to Offender Accounts for Health Care Provided (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] Wellpath chosen 2021; GCHC/Augusta University held contract 23 years prior Wellpath was chosen as GDC's medical provider in 2021 when the agency decided to privatize its healthcare, after Georgia Correctional HealthCare (a division of Augusta University) had been the prison system's medical provider for the previous 23 years. Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: medical,policy,operations Sources: AJC, Georgia prison medical provider extra costs due to violence - [confirmed] GDC medical copay is $5 per self-initiated visit or new medication, with $10 account floor GDC SOP 507.04.05 "Charges to Offender Accounts for Health Care Provided" sets a $5.00 medical copay per self-initiated visit and per new copay-eligible medication, and bars deduction when the account balance would fall below $10.00. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: medical,policy,budget Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.05, Charges to Offender Accounts for Health Care Provided (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] GDC-Wellpath contract: nine one-year renewal options, 364-day exit The GDC-Wellpath contract called for nine one-year options for renewal, with Wellpath able to walk away at any time with 364 days' notice. Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: medical,policy,operations Sources: AJC, Georgia prison medical provider extra costs due to violence - [reported] Augusta State Medical Prison hospital: 60 inpatient beds, specialty/surgical/tertiary care Augusta State Medical Prison's hospital provides specialty and surgical procedures, tertiary inpatient care, dialysis, pain management, palliative care, specialty evaluations and ancillary services through Georgia DOC staff, Georgia Regents Medical Center and contractors, with inpatient care provided in 60 beds for both acute care and long-term care. Tags: medical,facilities,operations Sources: Prea Audit Report Interim ■ Final - [confirmed] Chronic illness copay exemption requires Problem List designation and encounter at least every six months GDC SOP 507.04.05 exempts chronic illness care from the medical copay where the condition is listed as chronic on the Problem List by a physician or advanced clinical provider and requires, in the provider's opinion, a clinical encounter a minimum of every six months. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: medical,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.05, Charges to Offender Accounts for Health Care Provided (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] Board of Corrections: GDC, Wellpath, Centurion collaborating on MOUD/MAT access under DOJ guidance At a January 2023 Board of Corrections meeting, Assistant Commissioner Randy Sauls concluded his Office of Health Services update by discussing GDC, Wellpath, and Centurion collaborating to assure that individuals covered under DOJ guidance are provided access to MOUD and/or MAT and/or behavioral health interventions and treatment. Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: medical,drugs,mental_health,policy Sources: Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes january 2023 - [confirmed] ASMP provides centralized acute, specialized medical and Level IV mental health services GDC's facility page describes ASMP's mission as providing "centralized acute, specialized medical and Level IV Mental Health services for male and female offenders primarily as transient," including housing "severe medical cases." Tags: medical,mental_health,facilities Sources: Augusta State Medical Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Private prison medical costs capped; GDC pays for expensive care GDC told the Senate Study Committee that medical costs attributed to private prison facilities are capped, and that when an individual requires more expensive care, it is paid for by the Department. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: medical,budget,policy Sources: senate.ga.gov: 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport, 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport [2] - [confirmed] Full list of copay-exempt services under SOP 507.04.05 GDC SOP 507.04.05 exempts from the co-pay fee: intake screening/diagnostic process; communicable disease screening and treatment for tuberculosis, HIV or other serious infectious disease; physicals or other required periodic exams; follow-up care deemed medically necessary; examination following use of force; chronic care illness enrolled in a Chronic Illness clinic; pre-natal and obstetrical visits; and emergencies. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: medical,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.05, Charges to Offender Accounts for Health Care Provided (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] Augusta handles severe medical transfers, dialysis, and oral surgery GDC told the Senate Study Committee that Augusta handles a significant number of transfers for severe medical services, dialysis, and oral surgery, and that dentists are located in most facilities as part of a healthcare contract. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: medical,facilities,operations Sources: senate.ga.gov: 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport, 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport [2] - [reported] GDC began contracting with Medical College of Georgia in July 1997 The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts found that in July 1997, the Georgia Department of Corrections began contracting with the Medical College of Georgia (now known as Georgia Regent's University) to provide physical health care services, and that GRU created the Georgia Correctional HealthCare (GCHC) unit to operate the contract. Date: 1997-01-01 Tags: medical,policy Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [confirmed] HIV, psychotropic, Hepatitis C, antibiotic and chronic-illness medications excluded from copay GDC SOP 507.04.05 excludes HIV, psychotropic, Hepatitis C, antibiotics, and medications used to treat chronic illnesses from co-pay charges. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: medical,policy,mental_health Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.05, Charges to Offender Accounts for Health Care Provided (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] Centurion re-awarded mental and dental contract Centurion, contracted in Georgia as MHM Correctional Services, LLC, was re-awarded a contract commencing July 1, 2019 with nine annual renewal options to continue providing mental and dental health services to the Georgia Department of Corrections; the original contract began in 1997 and was held by MHM Correctional Services, Inc. Date: 2019-07-01 Tags: medical,mental_health,policy,operations Sources: Centene Subsidiary Re-Awarded Correctional Mental and Dental Healthcare Contract in Georgia, Centene Corporation, August 2, 2019 - [reported] GDC re-bid mental and dental health contract to Centurion, adding ITF services GDC's FY2019 Annual Report states that the agency re-bid and awarded its mental and dental health contract to Centurion, including adding provision of mental health services at GDC's two Integrated Treatment Facilities; the existing mental health services contract was approaching 20 years. Tags: mental_health,policy,budget Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2019 - [confirmed] NCCHC does not release lists of accredited facilities or confirm individual accreditation NCCHC's own accreditation FAQ page states that by policy, NCCHC does not release lists of all correctional facilities accredited by NCCHC, nor can it respond to inquiries as to whether a given facility is accredited. Tags: policy,medical,data_gap Sources: Accreditation FAQs | National Commission on Correctional Health Care - [confirmed] Transitional Center offenders charged $10 copay GDC SOP 507.04.05 sets a $10.00 co-pay for Transitional Center offenders, in accordance with SOP 507.04.02, Transitional Center Health Services. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: medical,policy,reentry Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.05, Charges to Offender Accounts for Health Care Provided (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [confirmed] ASMP services include hospital, surgery, dialysis, hospice, and mental health treatment units GDC's facility page lists ASMP's services as including Hospital, Surgery Center, Multi-specialty Clinic, Special Mental Health Treatment Units (Dementia and Traumatic Brain injury, SMI with Severe Personality Disorder, Seriously Mentally Ill), Dialysis, Dental, Skilled Nursing Care, Hospice, Inpatient Care, Pre/Post op, Sleep Studies, and TB. Tags: medical,mental_health,facilities Sources: Augusta State Medical Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] SOP 507.04.05 effective date 02/02/2022 GDC SOP 507.04.05 (Charges to Offender Accounts for Health Care Provided) is dated effective 02/02/2022. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: medical,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.05, Charges to Offender Accounts for Health Care Provided (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] SOP 507.04.28 chronic care monitoring frequency GDC SOP 507.04.28 (Chronic Care) sets the default frequency for monitoring patients in the Chronic Illness Clinic (CIC) program at every six months, with patients whose chronic disease is poorly controlled seen no less frequently than once a month. Tags: medical,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.28, Chronic Care (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] GDC ACA accreditation process began September 2015; mock audit June 2017 GDC's ACA accreditation process began in September 2015 with a review of policies and creation of an ACA Policy Coordinator team, and a mock audit was conducted at GDC Central Office and the Georgia Correctional Academy in June 2017. Tags: policy,operations Sources: GDC press release, 'GDC Awarded ACA Accreditation,' January 9, 2018 - [reported] GDC contracts with Centurion for comprehensive medical, mental, and dental services statewide GDC's FY2024 Annual Report states the Department contracts with Centurion to provide comprehensive medical, mental and dental services statewide under a managed care model. Tags: medical,mental_health,policy Sources: FY24 Annual Report - [confirmed] DOJ recommends mortality/morbidity quality assurance reviews Among its recommended remedial measures, DOJ's report calls for GDC to implement a quality assurance program including complete, interdisciplinary morbidity/mortality reviews of all deaths and attempted suicides, examining for patterns/trends and correcting systemic deficiencies. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: policy,medical,death,investigations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] GDC received ACA accreditation by unanimous vote in January 2018 GDC received ACA Accreditation, by unanimous vote, for GDC Central Office and Central Training Academy (Georgia Correctional Academy) on January 6 at a hearing held at the 2018 American Correctional Association Winter Conference in Orlando. Date: 2018-01-01 Tags: policy,operations Sources: GDC press release, 'GDC Awarded ACA Accreditation,' January 9, 2018 - [confirmed] GDC SOP 507.04.67 natural-death notification chain GDC SOP 507.04.67 'Offender Death and Mortality Reviews' requires that following a natural death, the Medical Director or designee will immediately notify the Warden/Superintendent, facility duty officer, and Health Services Administrator. Tags: death,policy,medical Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.67, Offender Death and Mortality Reviews (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [confirmed] GDC SOP 507.01.11: requires NCCHC-aligned accreditation via Medical Association of Georgia and ACA accreditation GDC SOP 507.01.11 'Standards and Accreditation' states that GDC requires accreditation of all state and private prisons through the Medical Association of Georgia as a means of ensuring compliance with NCCHC Standards, and requires accreditation of all state and private prisons by the American Correctional Association (ACA). Tags: medical,policy,operations Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.01.11, Standards and Accreditation (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [confirmed] SOP 507.01.01: needed care not denied for lack of funds; copay charged to account GDC SOP 507.01.01 "Philosophy and Right to Treatment" states that needed offender health care is not denied due to lack of funds, with copay fees instead charged to the offender's account until such time, if ever, funds are available. Tags: medical,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.01.01, Philosophy and Right to Treatment (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [confirmed] GDC SOP 507.04.67 Offender Death Notification Form deadline GDC SOP 507.04.67 requires an Offender Death Notification Form to be faxed to the GDC Statewide Medical Director the next working day after a death, and that it include the date on which the Clinical Mortality Peer Review has been scheduled. Tags: death,policy,medical Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.67, Offender Death and Mortality Reviews (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] SOP 507.04.37 effective date GDC SOP 507.04.37 (Urgent and Emergent Care Services) is dated effective November 29, 2023. Date: 2023-11-29 Tags: medical,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.37, Urgent and Emergent Care Services (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [confirmed] ASMP serves as sex offender release site and host for Augusta Transitional Center GDC's mission statement for Augusta State Medical Prison states it provides centralized acute, specialized medical and Level IV Mental Health services for male and female offenders primarily as transient, houses severe medical cases, and serves as a sex offender release site and host facility for the Augusta Transitional Center. Tags: facilities,reentry,medical Sources: Augusta State Medical Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] Sick call: daily confidential written requests triaged seven days a week GDC SOP 507.04.27 "Sick Call" requires all facilities to provide daily access to sick call through a confidential written Health Service Request Form, with the form triaged by a Qualified Health Care Professional seven days a week except at facilities without seven-day medical coverage. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: medical,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.27, Sick Call (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [confirmed] GDC SOP 507.04.67 suicide/homicide notification requirements GDC SOP 507.04.67 requires that for deaths resulting from suicide, homicide, or accidental or suspicious circumstances, the GDC Commissioner and GDC Statewide Medical Director be notified immediately and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation be notified by the Warden/Superintendent. Tags: death,policy,investigations Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.67, Offender Death and Mortality Reviews (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] Board of Corrections announced Wellpath as physical health provider At a Board of Corrections meeting, GDC staff reported that after a Request for Proposal, the department announced the results of Wellpath becoming its provider for offender healthcare physical services. Date: 2021-09-01 Tags: medical,policy,operations Sources: Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes september 2021 - [reported] GDC bases GRU contract on prior-year expenses with no projection formula The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts reported that GDC bases the GRU contract amount on the previous year's expenses, with no formula or projection used to predict the next year's expenses. Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: budget,medical,policy Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [confirmed] Potentially urgent sick call complaints evaluated same day GDC SOP 507.04.27 requires that if an offender's complaint is checked as potentially urgent (e.g., ear pain), arrangements will be made to evaluate the offender the same day. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: medical,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.27, Sick Call (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [confirmed] GDC SOP 507.04.67 Mortality Review Committee composition GDC SOP 507.04.67 establishes a Mortality Review Committee composed of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, a mental health provider, and a security representative, which reviews Clinical Mortality Peer Review packets and identifies any need for a forensic autopsy. Tags: death,policy,medical,mental_health Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.67, Offender Death and Mortality Reviews (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] ASMP Mental Health and Medical Clinics run by Centurion At a Board of Corrections meeting, the Augusta State Medical Prison warden described the facility's Mental Health Clinic and Medical Clinic as both run by Centurion. Date: 2025-04-30 Tags: medical,mental_health,facilities Sources: Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes april 30 2025 - [reported] GRU contract scope excluded mental health, most dental, private prisons, county facilities GDC's contract with Georgia Regents University (GRU, now Augusta University) for inmate physical health care did not cover mental health, most dental health, or services for private prisons or county correctional institutions. Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: medical,mental_health,policy Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [confirmed] Weekend/holiday sick call: officers contact medical unit or on-call provider GDC SOP 507.04.27 instructs that at facilities without weekend/holiday qualified health care professionals, an officer should contact the medical unit or, if there is no qualified health care professional in the facility, the on-call provider. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: medical,policy,staffing Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.27, Sick Call (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [confirmed] GDC SOP 507.04.67 coroner and commissioner notification after natural death GDC SOP 507.04.67 requires that after a natural death, the Warden/Superintendent or designee notify the County Coroner and, through the State Communication Center, notify the GDC Commissioner, Regional Director, and the GDC Health Services Director. Tags: death,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.67, Offender Death and Mortality Reviews (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] ASMP specialty services list At a Board of Corrections meeting held in Augusta, Georgia, Augusta State Medical Prison's (ASMP) specialty services were described as including a 24-hour Infirmary, Crisis Stabilization Unit, Acute Care Unit, Mental Health Clinic (Centurion), Medical Clinic (Centurion), Wound Care Clinic (MyWoundDoc), Physical Therapy Clinic, Dental Clinic, Mobile CT Unit, Mobile MRI Unit, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Dialysis Unit (Rendevor), Telemedicine Remote Care, and an Ambulatory Surgical Center. Date: 2025-04-30 Tags: medical,mental_health,facilities Sources: Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes april 30 2025 - [reported] GDC entered 10-year, $40M contract with MHM-Centurion for mental and dental health in FY2020 In FY2020, GDC entered into a 10-year, $40 million contract with MHM-Centurion to provide mental health services and dental health, moving from a primary mental health personnel contract to a service provision contract with 100% mental health services provided by MHM-Centurion; an addition also provides personnel and programming to the Integrated Treatment Units. Tags: mental_health,budget,policy Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2020 - [confirmed] Sick call referral timelines: emergent immediate, urgent same day, routine within 10 days GDC SOP 507.04.27 defines three sick call referral timelines: an Emergent Referral means the nurse refers the patient to a clinician immediately; an Urgent Referral means the patient is referred the same day; and a Routine Referral means the patient is referred to be seen within ten calendar days. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: medical,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.27, Sick Call (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [confirmed] GDC SOP 507.04.67 contemplates unnamed contract vendor medical director GDC SOP 507.04.67 requires the Mortality Review Committee to notify the GDC and contract vendor Statewide Medical Directors of any positive findings, showing the SOP contemplates a health care contract vendor without naming it. Tags: death,policy,medical Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.67, Offender Death and Mortality Reviews (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] GDC Office of Health Services negotiates external provider contracts As part of GDC's Office of Health Services duties, the agency negotiates and manages contracts with health care service providers throughout Georgia, including hospitals, specialty clinics, and ambulance services, for health care services that cannot be provided by resources within GDC facilities. Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: medical,policy,operations Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [confirmed] SOP 507.04.27 effective date 1/27/2022 GDC SOP 507.04.27 (Sick Call) is dated effective 1/27/2022. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: medical,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.27, Sick Call (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [confirmed] GDC SOP 508.16 mental health levels II and VI definitions GDC's SOP on Mental Health Levels of Care defines Level II as Outpatient Services and Level VI as Prison Psychiatric Facility placement. Tags: mental_health,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 508.16, Mental Health Levels of Care (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] ACA accreditation update covering 49 sites At a Board of Corrections meeting, GDC's Statewide Compliance and Accreditation Manager presented an American Correctional Association accreditation update covering the accreditation summary for prisons, probation detention centers, transitional centers, and the agency accreditation average for 49 sites. Date: 2024-09-01 Tags: policy,operations,facilities Sources: Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes september 2024 - [confirmed] GDC SOP 508.16 Level VI criteria GDC's SOP on Mental Health Levels of Care sets Level VI as placement in a prison psychiatric facility, indicated when an offender has severely debilitating symptomatology that cannot be safely and adequately treated within an infirmary or Supportive Living Unit. Tags: mental_health,policy,facilities Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 508.16, Mental Health Levels of Care (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] GCHC participation in 340B program for HIV/AIDS drugs, expansion planned As of the audit, in addition to group pharmacy benefits it was already receiving, GCHC participated in the federal 340B program, which allowed it to purchase HIV/AIDS medications at a reduced rate, and GDC and GCHC were at that time working to expand the 340B program to include Hepatitis C medication and certain cancer drugs. Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: medical,budget Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [confirmed] GDC SOP 508.16 Level II monthly counselor contact GDC's SOP on Mental Health Levels of Care requires offenders placed at Level II to be seen at least once a month by their mental health counselor unless the Treatment Team determines another timeframe. Tags: mental_health,policy Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 508.16, Mental Health Levels of Care (passage checked against GPS's copy) - [reported] 340B program required ASMP clinic for qualifying inmates The 340B Drug Pricing Program required the Georgia Regents Health System, in partnership with GDC and GCHC, to open a clinic for inmates at Augusta State Medical Prison (ASMP), with all inmates receiving the medications required to individually qualify to participate in the program. Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: medical,facilities,policy Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [confirmed] GDC SOP 508.16 Crisis Stabilization Unit placement in designated infirmaries GDC's SOP on Mental Health Levels of Care requires Crisis Stabilization Unit placement to occur only in designated infirmaries. Tags: mental_health,policy,facilities Sources: Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 508.16, Mental Health Levels of Care (passage checked against GPS's copy) CASE DETAILS (57) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Jacobi Chomicki death at ASMP WRDW reported that GDC officials said 23-year-old inmate Jacobi Chomicki died at Augusta State Medical Prison on May 22, with cause of death undetermined at the time of reporting and the body sent to the GBI crime lab. Tags: death,medical,facilities Sources: Inmate dies at Augusta State Medical Prison, officials say - [reported] Maddox alleged elevator beating by guards The Augusta Press reported that Maddox alleged in his lawsuit that after a confrontation with his cell mate on Sept. 27, 2016, prison guards removed him from his cell, handcuffed him, and in an elevator without security cameras, guards punched him. Date: 2016-09-27 Tags: violence,corruption,legal,conditions Sources: State settles civil rights lawsuit over Augusta State Medical Prison conditions - The Augusta Press - [reported] Wellpath opted out of contract effective June 30, 2024, three years into nine-year deal The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Wellpath informed the GDC last June that it would opt out of its contract on June 30, 2024, only three years into a nine-year deal. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: policy,budget,medical Sources: Lawsuit accuses Ga. prison system of violating state law to replace healthcare provider - [reported] $5 million settlement in mattress-fire death ruled homicide The DOJ report states that in 2023 GDC agreed to a $5 million settlement in a case in which an incarcerated person died after correctional officers left him locked in his cell with his mattress on fire, and the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide. Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: death,legal,staffing,conditions Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] DOJ indictment alleges ASMP officers willfully disregarded smoldering fire in inmate cell on Oct. 28, 2020 The DOJ indictment alleges that on Oct. 28, 2020, Roberson and Phillips became aware of a smoldering fire in an inmate's cell and willfully disregarded it rather than extinguishing it, evacuating the inmate, or calling a fire emergency. Date: 2020-10-28 Tags: death,corruption,investigations,facilities Sources: Office of Public Affairs | Former Augusta State Medical Prison Correctional Officers Charged in Connection with Inmate’s Death | United States Department of Justice - [reported] Inmate Henegar missed seizure medication for four days at Walker State Prison, suffered seizures In Wade v. McDade, over a four-day period in August 2016 at Walker State Prison, inmate David Henegar failed to receive his daily seizure medication, Dilantin, prescribed for epilepsy; late on the fourth day he suffered two seizures that he said caused permanent brain damage. Date: 2016-08-01 Tags: medical,legal,death Sources: USCA11 Case: 21-14275 Document: 84-1 Date Filed: 07/10/2024 Page: 1 of 47 - [reported] Wellpath lawsuit filed May 7 in Fulton County Superior Court naming Oliver, Barnaby, Centurion The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Wellpath's lawsuit was filed in Fulton County Superior Court and named GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver, DOAS deputy commissioner Jim Barnaby, and Centurion of Georgia as respondents. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: legal,corruption,policy Sources: Lawsuit accuses Ga. prison system of violating state law to replace healthcare provider - [reported] Decomposing body found two days after death at Valdosta In one instance at Valdosta State Prison it took two days before the decomposing body of a prisoner was found, according to the Southern Center for Human Rights' letter. Tags: death,conditions,facilities Sources: AJC: Valdosta prison — Southern Center for Human Rights report - [reported] Jerry Lackey death after missed 15-minute checks at ASMP Jerry Lackey was found hanging in his cell in the mental health unit at Augusta State Medical Prison; one evening in 2020, the only officer available in that unit was needed elsewhere, and the required 15-minute checks did not happen. Date: 2020-01-01 Tags: death,mental_health,staffing,facilities Sources: Violence, suicides mount in Georgia’s woefully understaffed prisons - [reported] Roderick Hayes killed at ASMP after guard allowed attack The Augusta Press reported that Roderick Hayes, 29, died at ASMP after a guard allowed Hayes and two other inmates into a cell with the intention of attacking the man inside, but the targeted victim fought back and killed Hayes. Tags: violence,death,corruption,facilities Sources: Inmate death at Augusta State Medical Prison sparks concerns over facility safety - The Augusta Press - [reported] Lackey found hanging April 8, 2020 at ASMP The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Jerry Lackey, 39, was found hanging in the mental health unit at Augusta State Medical Prison early in the morning on April 8, 2020, after spending 10 years in prison for an armed robbery in Conyers, a robbery in Winder and an attempted robbery in Monroe. Date: 2020-04-08 Tags: death,mental_health,facilities Sources: Violence, suicides mount in Georgia’s woefully understaffed prisons - [reported] Officer Daniel Farmer charged October 2022 The Augusta Press reported that in October 2022, ASMP Officer Daniel Farmer was criminally charged with helping a convicted killer assault another inmate at the facility. Date: 2022-10-01 Tags: corruption,violence,staffing Sources: Inmate death at Augusta State Medical Prison sparks concerns over facility safety - The Augusta Press - [reported] Jury awards $20,000 against Lewis and $1 against Ferrell in Johnson HCV case After a three-day jury trial, Ricky Johnson's pro bono legal team won $20,000 in damages for the claim against GDC Statewide Medical Director Dr. Sharon Lewis and $1 for the claim against Dr. Thomas Ferrell in his hepatitis C medical-care lawsuit. Tags: medical,legal,hepatitis Sources: Associates Help Ga. Prisoner Beat The Odds In Court | News | Kirkland & Ellis LLP - [reported] Roberson acquitted of falsifying logbook charge in ASMP fire death case WRDW reported that Roberson was also acquitted of a separate charge of falsifying a logbook to cover up misconduct, in connection with the ASMP inmate fire death case. Tags: legal,corruption,death Sources: Former Augusta State Medical Prison guards acquitted in inmate death, former augusta state medical prison guard acquitted inmate death - [reported] Jerry Merritt fatal stabbing details WRDW reported that the arrest warrant states Trimier assaulted Merritt with a sharpened object, causing a stab wound to the left side of Merritt's chest and shoulder, and that GDC officials said Merritt was sentenced to life without parole for murder out of Muscogee County. Tags: violence,death,facilities Sources: 2 inmates killed at local prisons amid flare-up in violence, man faces murder charge death augusta state medical prison inmate - [reported] Inmate Roderick Hayes, 29, killed in altercation at ASMP in May 2024 WRDW reported that in May 2024, inmate Roderick Hayes, 29, serving a 10-year sentence, was killed during an altercation at Augusta State Medical Prison. Date: 2024-05-01 Tags: death,violence,facilities Sources: Former Augusta State Medical Prison guards acquitted in inmate death, former augusta state medical prison guard acquitted inmate death - [reported] Merritt stabbing time and location WRDW reported that, according to the Columbia County sheriff's office, the fatal stabbing of inmate Jerry Merritt by John Jaquis Trimier at Augusta State Medical Prison happened between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Jan. 20. Tags: violence,death,facilities Sources: 2 inmates killed at local prisons amid flare-up in violence, man faces murder charge death augusta state medical prison inmate - [reported] Benjamin v. Oliver plaintiffs filed complaint with class certification and injunction motions In Benjamin v. Oliver, plaintiffs Fantasia Horton, Naeomi Madison, John Doe, Isis Benjamin and Brynn Wilson filed a complaint together with motions for provisional class certification and for a preliminary injunction. Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: legal,medical Sources: Benjamin v. Oliver, 2025-12-03 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Nursing assistant Janette Shields arrested Feb. 24 for alleged battery of disabled inmate Bruce Smith at ASMP Janette Shields, a 67-year-old nursing assistant from Augusta, was arrested on Feb. 24 for charges of simple battery and exploitation of an elderly or disabled person, after allegedly striking inmate Bruce Smith at Augusta State Medical Prison. Tags: medical,violence,facilities Sources: Nursing assistant accused of abusing disabled inmate at Augusta medical prison - The Augusta Press - [reported] Wellpath provided Georgia prison healthcare since 2021 and sent nonrenewal notice Wellpath has been providing healthcare in Georgia state prisons since 2021, and sent a notice of nonrenewal the prior year, saying it intended to cease service by that summer. Tags: policy,medical,budget Sources: Georgia prisons will soon have a new healthcare provider after contract was brought into question - [reported] Roberson and Phillips acquitted June 3, 2026 in ASMP inmate fire death On June 3, 2026, former Augusta State Medical Prison guards Robert Roberson and Marcus Phillips were found not guilty in connection with the inmate's death, with Roberson also acquitted of a charge of falsifying a logbook to cover up misconduct. Date: 2026-06-03 Tags: legal,death,corruption Sources: Former Augusta State Medical Prison guards acquitted in inmate death - [reported] SCHR participated in 2016 lawsuit over sepsis death due to lack of medical staff In testimony to the Georgia Senate Study Committee, the Southern Center for Human Rights' deputy director stated the Center participated in a 2016 lawsuit arising in part from a lack of medical staff to address an individual who died of sepsis at a GDC facility. Date: 2016-01-01 Tags: medical,staffing,legal,death Sources: senate.ga.gov: 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport - [confirmed] DOJ: medical staff barred from housing unit after stabbing, man died The DOJ report describes a case in which medical personnel were not permitted to enter a housing unit after a stabbing/assault due to insufficient security staff, after which the incarcerated man died. Tags: staffing,medical,death,violence Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Inmate Amos Huff died in apparent homicide at ASMP on March 30, 2023 WRDW/WAGT reported that on March 30, 2023, inmate Amos Huff died in an apparent homicide at Augusta State Medical Prison. Date: 2023-03-30 Tags: death,violence,facilities Sources: Former Augusta State Medical Prison guards acquitted in inmate death - [reported] SCHR participated in 2016 lawsuit over sepsis death tied to lack of medical staff A Southern Center for Human Rights representative told the Georgia Senate DOC Study Committee the center participated in a 2016 lawsuit arising in part from a lack of medical staff to address an individual who died of sepsis. Date: 2016-01-01 Tags: medical,staffing,legal,death Sources: senate.ga.gov: 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport, 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport [2] - [reported] Inmate Ali Tanner killed at ASMP on July 2, 2021 while serving life without parole WRDW/WAGT reported that on July 2, 2021, inmate Ali Tanner was killed at Augusta State Medical Prison while serving a life sentence without parole for murder. Date: 2021-07-02 Tags: death,violence,facilities Sources: Former Augusta State Medical Prison guards acquitted in inmate death - [reported] Sealed exhibit in Doe v. GDC was a letter to Centurion Health In Doe v. Georgia Department, an exhibit filed under seal in support of Jane Doe's motion for preliminary injunction was described as a letter to Centurion Health. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: legal,medical Sources: Doe v. Georgia Department, 2024-04-17 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Transgender woman died by suicide after DOJ interview at Coastal State Prison DOJ's report describes a transgender woman with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and a history of mental health issues who died of an apparent suicide shortly after DOJ interviewed her at Coastal State Prison in fall 2022. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: mental_health,death,solitary,conditions Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Harris v. GDC remained pending after June 2025 settlement conference As of the latest docket entries, Harris v. Georgia Department of Corrections remained pending with no case-terminating order, after numerous settlement conferences were held through June 2025 and new counsel for GDC entered appearances in November 2025. Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: legal,medical Sources: HARRIS v. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, 2025-06-17 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Wellpath lawsuit: $2.4B Centurion contract awarded without competitive process GDC awarded a $2.4 billion contract for health care in the prison system to a new company without the competitive process required under state law, according to a lawsuit by the present contractor Wellpath. Tags: legal,medical,corruption,budget Sources: Lawsuit accuses Georgia prison system of violating law to replace healthcare provider - [confirmed] Woman died by suicide in isolation day after request to move rejected The DOJ report describes a woman who filed PREA complaints and asked to be moved from isolation; her request was rejected, and she died by suicide in the isolation unit the next day. Tags: mental_health,death,solitary,conditions Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [confirmed] Oliver v. Centurion dismissed in favor of GDC and Tyrone Oliver (April 2025) The court granted the motion to dismiss and dismissed plaintiff's complaint in Oliver v. Centurion of Georgia, L.L.C., entering judgment in favor of the Georgia Department of Corrections and Tyrone Oliver. Date: 2025-04-16 Tags: legal,medical Sources: OLIVER v. CENTURION OF GEORGIA, L.L.C., 2025-04-16 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] GDC awarded health contract to Centurion Health in April GDC decided in April to award its health care contract to Virginia-based Centurion Health, conduct the lawsuit calls 'truly unprecedented.' Tags: medical,corruption,policy Sources: Lawsuit accuses Georgia prison system of violating law to replace healthcare provider - [reported] Victor Walker appointed Interim Warden at ASMP GDC announced the appointment of Victor Walker as Interim Warden at Augusta State Medical Prison, per a press release dated 2023-06-08. Date: 2023-06-08 Tags: facilities,operations Sources: New Interim Warden at Augusta State Medical Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Ted Philbin reassigned as ASMP Warden GDC announced the reassignment of Ted Philbin to Warden at Augusta State Medical Prison, effective December 1, 2017, per a press release dated 2017-12-15. Date: 2017-12-01 Tags: facilities,operations Sources: New Warden at Augusta State Medical Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] 21-year-old Valdosta prisoner not found until two days after death The Lowndes County Coroner determined that a 21-year-old man who died at Valdosta State Prison was not found until two days after he died. Tags: death,conditions,facilities Sources: Horrific Conditions Create Humanitarian Crisis at Valdosta State Prison – Southern Center for Human Rights – Equality. Dignity. Justice. - [reported] Riverbend: ACA reaccreditation 2022 at 99.77%; NCCHC accredited 2013 and 2015 GEO Group's page for Riverbend Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility, operated for GDC, states the facility achieved initial ACA accreditation and reaccreditation in 2022 with a score of 99.77%, and was also accredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) in 2013 and 2015. Tags: medical,facilities,operations Sources: Riverbend Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility - [reported] $5M settlement in Thomas Henry Giles fire death at ASMP On November 16, 2023, the Georgia Department of Corrections agreed to pay $5 million to the estate of Thomas Henry Giles, a mentally ill prisoner who died after guards left him for hours locked inside a cell on fire at Augusta State Medical Prison. Date: 2023-11-16 Tags: death,mental_health,legal,medical Sources: $5 Million Settlement in Death of Georgia Prisoner Left by Guards in Cell on Fire - [reported] August 2019: GDC awarded $536.5M behavioral/dental contract to Centurion On August 2, 2019, Centene Corporation announced that GDC awarded a $536.5 million contract for jail mental health and dental services to Centurion, a Centene subsidiary. Date: 2019-08-02 Tags: medical,mental_health,budget,policy Sources: Georgia Corrections Awards Behavioral & Dental Contract To Incumbent Centene - OPEN MINDS - [confirmed] ASMP dialysis center expanded to 22 beds, opened March 20, 2023, adding 11 beds A GDC press release dated March 20, 2023 announced that a newly expanded, 22-bed Dialysis Center at Augusta State Medical Prison officially opened, increasing bed capacity for dialysis services by 11 beds. Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: medical,facilities Sources: Expanded Dialysis Center Opens at Augusta State Medical Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [confirmed] Four 2021 deaths discovered after rigor mortis set in The DOJ report states that GDC records on four deaths of incarcerated persons in 2021 describe bodies discovered by staff after the onset of rigor mortis, indicating hours had passed, as an example of how understaffing causes avoidable delays in providing medical care in emergencies. Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: staffing,medical,death,operations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] $925K settlement in Bonnie Rocheleau wrongful death The surviving children of Georgia prisoner Bonnie Rocheleau filed suit against GDC and Georgia Correctional HealthCare for her wrongful death and accepted a $925,000 settlement in March 2018, alleging Dr. Nazaire provided substandard medical treatment that directly resulted in her death. Date: 2018-03-01 Tags: death,medical,legal Sources: Prison Legal News, Georgia settles prison medical negligence suits - [reported] $2.2 million settlement for Jenna Mitchell death at Valdosta State Prison Georgia's prison system agreed to pay $2.2 million to the family of Jenna Mitchell, a transgender woman incarcerated at Valdosta State Prison whose threats of suicide were ignored and who was left hanging in her cell for several minutes before getting medical help. Tags: death,legal,medical,facilities Sources: Family gets $2.2 million settlement for death of Georgia inmate, calls for criminal investigation | News | rockdalenewtoncitizen.com - [reported] Dr. Fye resigned after $600K paid in two malpractice suits Dr. Fye was the medical director at Macon State Prison for 11 years before she resigned after the state paid $600,000 in two lawsuits alleging negligent malpractice, one involving the amputation of diabetic prisoner Michael Tarver's leg. Tags: medical,legal,staffing Sources: Prison Legal News, Georgia settles prison medical negligence suits - [reported] Jenna Mitchell was transgender woman held at men's prison Jenna Mitchell was serving a sentence for a 2015 robbery conviction at Valdosta State Prison and, although she identified as a transgender woman, was being held at a prison for men. Tags: conditions,facilities,legal Sources: Family gets $2.2 million settlement for death of Georgia inmate, calls for criminal investigation | News | rockdalenewtoncitizen.com - [reported] $550K settlement in Jimmy Lucero starvation death A $550,000 settlement was reached in a civil rights lawsuit alleging that 19-year-old Jimmy Lucero laid in a catatonic state at Augusta State Medical Prison as he starved to death with little to no medical care in 2015. Lucero's estate sued on July 2, 2018; the settlement was reached on May 18, 2019. Tags: death,medical,legal,mental_health Sources: $550,000 Settlement in Georgia Prisoner’s Starvation Death - [reported] GDC and Centurion provided water tankers during ASMP dialysis water issue after Hurricane Helene At the same Board meeting, GDC's medical update discussed a joint effort between GDC and Centurion providing tankers of potable water during a dialysis temporary water supply issue at ASMP after Hurricane Helene. Tags: medical,facilities,operations Sources: Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes april 30 2025 - [reported] Prior six-figure payout: $1.2 million in 2016 for Thomas M. Fitzgerald death Attorney Shanies said the Jenna Mitchell settlement is a record-setting civil recovery connected to a Georgia prisoner's death, and that the last six-figure payout before it was in 2016 for $1.2 million following the December 1999 death of Thomas M. Fitzgerald, who died while being strapped to a bed in an isolation cell. Tags: death,legal,solitary Sources: Family gets $2.2 million settlement for death of Georgia inmate, calls for criminal investigation | News | rockdalenewtoncitizen.com - [reported] Gumm v. Sellers settlement over Special Management Unit solitary confinement The Southern Center for Human Rights and Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton reached a settlement with GDC in Gumm v. Sellers, a case challenging solitary confinement in Georgia's Special Management Unit, after plaintiff Timothy Gumm was held in the SMU for 7.5 years. Tags: solitary,legal,mental_health Sources: Georgia Prisoners Reach Settlement to Reform One of the “Harshest and Most Draconian” Solitary Confinement Units in the Nation – Southern Center for Human Rights - [reported] AJC: $1.5M settlement (2018) for Mollianne Fischer vegetative state at Pulaski SP The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported a $1.5 million settlement (finalized 2018) after Mollianne Fischer was left in a vegetative state in May 2014 due to inadequate medical care at Pulaski State Prison. Tags: medical,legal,death,conditions Sources: Prison system failures cost Georgia taxpayers millions of dollars - [confirmed] May 2024 homicide at ASMP of man interviewed at Macon State Prison DOJ's report describes a May 2024 incident in which a man DOJ had interviewed at Macon State Prison in early 2023 reportedly died by homicide at Augusta State Medical Prison, after being attacked multiple times in the years prior to his death, and two incarcerated people and a GDC correctional officer were criminally charged. Date: 2024-05-01 Tags: violence,death,corruption,transfers,investigations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Board of Corrections March 2022 mental health statistics presentation At a Board of Corrections meeting, GDC Assistant Commissioner Randy Sauls presented mental health statistics for GDC's offender population including mental health population figures from 2011 to 2021 and the percentage of inmates receiving mental health services from 2011 to 2021. Date: 2022-03-01 Tags: mental_health,policy Sources: Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes march 2022 - [reported] AJC: $1.5M settlement (2023) for Agnes Bohannon death at Lee Arrendale SP The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported a $1.5 million settlement (finalized 2023) after Agnes Bohannon complained for days of cardiac and respiratory distress at Lee Arrendale State Prison without adequate evaluation or treatment, and died of cardiovascular disease in September 2019. Tags: medical,legal,death,conditions Sources: Prison system failures cost Georgia taxpayers millions of dollars - [reported] Board of Corrections October 2021 funding priorities included health care and mental health At a Board of Corrections meeting, Chief of Staff Alan Watson's presentation on funding priorities covered Corrections critical position compensation, mental health counselors, health care, mental health expansion, and physical health contracts. Date: 2021-10-01 Tags: budget,medical,mental_health,staffing Sources: Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes october 2021 - [reported] AJC: $925,000 settlement (2018) for Bonnie Rocheleau death at Pulaski SP The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported a $925,000 settlement (finalized 2018) after Bonnie Rocheleau, who had long suffered from COPD, failed to get adequate care at Pulaski State Prison when she developed pneumonia, leading to her death in March 2015. Tags: medical,legal,death,conditions Sources: Prison system failures cost Georgia taxpayers millions of dollars - [reported] Board of Corrections February 2023 ACA accreditation announcements At a Board of Corrections meeting, Commissioner Oliver reported that Hancock, Wilcox, Pulaski, Phillips, Whitworth, Lee, and Washington facilities received ACA reaccreditation, while Bacon and Patton PDC received initial national ACA accreditation certification. Date: 2023-02-01 Tags: facilities,policy Sources: Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes february 2023 - [reported] AJC: $750,000 settlement (2023) for Brandon Peters death at Georgia State Prison The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported a $750,000 settlement (finalized 2023) after Brandon Peters suffered for days from severe belly pain, fever and bowel problems then died in his cell at Georgia State Prison in November 2020, with a claim alleging officials failed to intervene and provide proper medical care. Tags: medical,legal,death,conditions Sources: Prison system failures cost Georgia taxpayers millions of dollars STATISTICS (93) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] GDC year-end prison population 2019 GDC's own year-end inmate count series lists the Georgia prison system's population as 53,943 at year-end 2019. Value: 53943.0 people Date: 2019-01-01 Tags: demographics,facilities Sources: Year-end counts of inmates of the Georgia Prison System, 1925 to present - [reported] GDC average correctional officer vacancy rate, 2021-2023 The DOJ report states GDC's average correctional officer vacancy rate was 49.3% in 2021, 56.3% in 2022, and 52.5% in 2023. Value: 49.3 percent (vs. 56.3 2022 vacancy rate) Tags: staffing,operations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] GDC daily physical health care cost per inmate, FY2021-FY2024 GDC's reported daily cost per inmate for physical health care was $12.63 in FY2021, $13.09 in FY2022, $13.05 in FY2023, and $14.45 in FY2024. Value: 14.45 dollars per inmate per day (vs. 12.63 FY2021 daily cost per inmate) Tags: medical,budget,policy Sources: HB 68 (FY2026) Criminal Justice and Public Safety budget, Georgia General Assembly - [reported] GDC Health program FY2018 expenditures GDC's Health program total funds were $239,706,639 in FY2018 expenditures, per the Governor's Budget Report for AFY2020 and FY2021. Value: 239706639.0 USD Tags: budget,medical Sources: The Governor’s Budget Report - [reported] GDC filled ~100,000 prescriptions per month at $42 million annual cost in FY2020 GDC filled approximately 100,000 prescriptions per month at an annual cost of $42 million during FY2020. Value: 100000.0 prescriptions per month (vs. 42 annual cost in millions of dollars) Tags: medical,budget,operations Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2020 - [confirmed] GDC year-end prison population 2020 GDC's own year-end inmate count series lists the Georgia prison system's population as 46,132 at year-end 2020. Value: 46132.0 people Date: 2020-01-01 Tags: demographics,facilities Sources: Year-end counts of inmates of the Georgia Prison System, 1925 to present - [reported] GDC daily dental care cost per inmate, FY2021-FY2024 GDC's reported daily cost per inmate for dental care was $0.61 in FY2021, $0.70 in FY2022, $0.67 in FY2023, and $0.64 in FY2024. Value: 0.64 dollars per inmate per day (vs. 0.61 FY2021 daily cost per inmate) Tags: medical,budget Sources: HB 68 (FY2026) Criminal Justice and Public Safety budget, Georgia General Assembly - [reported] FY2027 appropriations bill sought $55.8M for GDC health contract increases The General Assembly's FY2027 appropriations bill sought to appropriate to the Department of Corrections $55,793,188 in state general funds in the Health program for contract increases for the physical, dental, mental, and pharmacy contracts. Value: 55793188.0 USD Tags: budget,medical,policy Sources: opb.georgia.gov: hb 974 fy 2027 appropriations bill - [reported] GDC Health program FY2019 expenditures GDC's Health program total funds were $251,764,019 in FY2019 expenditures, per the Governor's Budget Report for AFY2020 and FY2021. Value: 251764019.0 USD Tags: budget,medical Sources: The Governor’s Budget Report - [confirmed] GDC year-end prison population 2022 GDC's own year-end inmate count series lists the Georgia prison system's population as 47,382 at year-end 2022. Value: 47382.0 people Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: demographics,facilities Sources: Year-end counts of inmates of the Georgia Prison System, 1925 to present - [reported] GDC daily mental health care cost per inmate, FY2021-FY2024 GDC's reported daily cost per inmate for mental health care was $9.81 in FY2021, $8.58 in FY2022, $7.89 in FY2023, and $8.22 in FY2024. Value: 8.22 dollars per inmate per day (vs. 9.81 FY2021 daily cost per inmate) Tags: mental_health,budget Sources: HB 68 (FY2026) Criminal Justice and Public Safety budget, Georgia General Assembly - [reported] FY2027 GDC Health program total funds $433.1M The FY2027 appropriations bill's appropriation for the Department of Corrections' Health program (line item 19.4) totals $433,124,187 in Total Funds, with $573,812 of that in Federal Funds and Grants. The stated purpose is to provide the required constitutional level of physical, dental, and mental health care to all inmates of the state correctional system. Value: 433124187.0 USD Tags: budget,medical,policy Sources: opb.georgia.gov: hb 974 fy 2027 appropriations bill - [reported] GDC Health program Amended FY2020 budget GDC's Health program had an Amended FY2020 Budget of $243,325,228, per the Governor's Budget Report for AFY2020 and FY2021. Value: 243325228.0 USD Tags: budget,medical Sources: The Governor’s Budget Report - [confirmed] GDC year-end prison population 2023 GDC's own year-end inmate count series lists the Georgia prison system's population as 49,387 at year-end 2023. Value: 49387.0 people Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: demographics,facilities Sources: Year-end counts of inmates of the Georgia Prison System, 1925 to present - [reported] GDC Healthcare program funding for new physical health and pharmacy contracts, AFY24 and FY25 In AFY24 and FY25, GDC's Healthcare program received $65.27m in AFY24 and $71.97m in FY25 for implementation and maintaining newer physical health and pharmacy services contracts. Value: 71.97 million dollars (vs. 65.27 AFY24 funding) Tags: budget,medical,policy Sources: HB 68 (FY2026) Criminal Justice and Public Safety budget, Georgia General Assembly - [reported] FY2020 amended Health program budget: $233,066,277 GDC's Amended Appropriations by Program table lists Health at a budget of $233,066,277 for FY2020. Value: 233066277.0 dollars Tags: budget,medical Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2020 - [reported] GDC posted homicide notices 2017-2020 The Augusta Press reported that, per the Georgia prison system, the department posted notices of 17 homicides in 2020, versus 12 in 2019 and seven each in 2017 and 2018. Value: 17.0 homicides (vs. 12 homicides in 2019) Tags: violence,death,investigations Sources: State settles civil rights lawsuit over Augusta State Medical Prison conditions - The Augusta Press - [reported] About 14,000 Georgia inmates have identified mental health needs GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver told the Senate Study Committee that about 14,000 inmates system-wide have identified mental health needs. Value: 14000.0 inmates Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: mental_health,demographics Sources: cdn.thegeorgiavirtue.com: 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport - [reported] Pew/Vera: Georgia per-inmate health care spending, FY2010-FY2015 (inflation-adjusted) Pew/Vera's inflation-adjusted Table C.3 reports Georgia corrections department per-inmate health care spending at $3,871 in FY2010, $3,899 in FY2011, $3,683 in FY2012, $3,543 in FY2013, $3,676 in FY2014, and $3,610 in FY2015, a -7% change. Value: 3610.0 dollars per inmate (vs. 3871 FY2010 per-inmate spending) Tags: budget,medical Sources: A report from Oct 2017 - [reported] SCHR: 30% prison jobs vacant June 2020 The Southern Center for Human Rights reported that in June 2020, 30 percent of the state's prison jobs were vacant. Value: 30.0 percent Date: 2020-06-01 Tags: staffing,operations Sources: State settles civil rights lawsuit over Augusta State Medical Prison conditions - The Augusta Press - [reported] Pew/Vera: 48-state median per-inmate health care spending, FY2010-FY2015 (inflation-adjusted) Pew/Vera's Table C.3 reports a median per-inmate health care spending (inflation-adjusted) across 48 states of $5,563 in FY2010, $5,521 in FY2011, $5,484 in FY2012, $5,456 in FY2013, $5,420 in FY2014, and $5,680 in FY2015, a 2% change. Value: 5680.0 dollars per inmate (vs. 5563 FY2010 median per-inmate spending) Tags: budget,medical Sources: A report from Oct 2017 - [reported] SCHR: 25 deaths at Valdosta State Prison Jan 2025–Aug 2026 The Southern Center for Human Rights said 25 people died at Valdosta State Prison between January 2025 and August 2026. Value: 25.0 deaths Tags: death,conditions,facilities Sources: AJC: Valdosta prison — Southern Center for Human Rights report - [reported] Centurion completed 39,379 dental services in FY25 GDC's FY2025 Annual Report states Centurion provides dental services and completed 39,379 services during FY25 by licensed dentists and hygienists. Value: 39379.0 dental services Tags: medical,operations Sources: FY25 (gdc.georgia.gov) - [reported] SCHR: 21 murders and 19 suicides June 2020-Sept 2021 The Southern Center for Human Rights reported that from June 2020 to September 2021 there were 21 murders and 19 suicides in Georgia prisons. Value: 21.0 murders (vs. 19 suicides) Tags: violence,death,mental_health Sources: State settles civil rights lawsuit over Augusta State Medical Prison conditions - The Augusta Press - [confirmed] BJS: Georgia state prisoner deaths by year 2015-2019 The Bureau of Justice Statistics' Mortality in State and Federal Prisons statistical tables report deaths of Georgia state prisoners by calendar year as 131 in 2015, 133 in 2016, 173 in 2017, 163 in 2018, and 157 in 2019. Value: 157.0 deaths (2019) (vs. 131 deaths in 2015) Tags: death,medical,demographics Sources: U.S. Department of Justice, msfp0119st - [reported] Pew: total state prison health care spending, fiscal 2015 Pew's report states that states spent $8.1 billion on prison health care in fiscal 2015, probably about a fifth of overall prison expenditures. Value: 8.1 billion dollars Tags: budget,medical Sources: A report from Oct 2017 - [reported] FY2025 Health program budget: $405,134,602 (22.0%) GDC's Amended FY2025 'Appropriations and Budget by Program' lists Health at $405,134,602, 22.0% of the budget. Value: 405134602.0 dollars (vs. 22.0 percent of total budget) Tags: budget,medical Sources: FY25 (gdc.georgia.gov) - [reported] Over 400 inmates completed hepatitis C drug treatment by July 2018 More than 400 inmates in Georgia's prisons had completed the drug treatment for hepatitis C, according to state officials, as reported in a July 20, 2018 article. Value: 400.0 inmates Date: 2018-07-20 Tags: medical,hepatitis Sources: The high cost — and treatment gap — in curing inmates with hepatitis C – Georgia Health News - [reported] BJS Table 16: Georgia state prisoner deaths by cause, cumulative The Bureau of Justice Statistics' Mortality in State and Federal Prisons report (Table 16) records 2,369 total ('all causes') deaths of Georgia state prisoners, including 780 heart disease deaths, 597 cancer deaths, 125 liver disease deaths, 83 AIDS-related deaths, 187 respiratory disease deaths, 300 all-other-illness deaths, 145 suicides, 12 drug/alcohol intoxication deaths, 22 accidents, and 89 homicides. Note: the listed cause categories sum to 2,340, not 2,369. Value: 2369.0 deaths (all causes) Tags: death,medical,mental_health,violence,drugs Sources: U.S. Department of Justice, msfp0119st - [reported] Pew: typical state per-inmate health care spending, fiscal 2015 Pew's 'Prison Health Care: Costs and Quality' report states that in fiscal 2015 the typical state department of corrections spent $5,720 per inmate to provide health care services including medical, dental, mental health, and substance use treatment. Value: 5720.0 dollars per inmate Tags: budget,medical,mental_health Sources: A report from Oct 2017 - [reported] Pew: state per-inmate health care spending range, fiscal 2015 Pew's 'Prison Health Care: Costs and Quality' report states that in fiscal 2015 the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spent $19,796 per inmate on health care while Louisiana's corrections department spent $2,173 per inmate. Value: 19796.0 dollars per inmate (vs. 2173 Louisiana per-inmate spending) Tags: budget,medical Sources: A report from Oct 2017 - [reported] FY2023 Health program budget: $260,284,197 GDC's Appropriations and Budget by Program table lists Health at $260,284,197 for FY2023. Value: 260284197.0 dollars Tags: budget,medical Sources: FY23 Annual Report - [reported] GDC facilities provide about 70 medical appointments per day per facility GDC facilities provide about 70 medical appointments per day per facility from within the facilities, not including outside visits to nearby medical facilities, and the state's correctional facilities administer about 100,000 prescription medications per month. Value: 70.0 appointments per day per facility Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: medical,operations Sources: senate.ga.gov: 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport, 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport [2] - [reported] Pew: Georgia per-inmate health care spending change, Figure 2 Pew's 'Prison Health Care: Costs and Quality' report Figure 2 shows Georgia's per-inmate health care spending moved from $3,871 to $3,610, a change of -7%. Value: -7.0 percent Tags: budget,medical Sources: A report from Oct 2017 - [reported] FY21: 80+ offenders received Hepatitis-C treatment at $459,193.51 In FY21, more than 80 offenders received Hepatitis-C treatment at the expense of $459,193.51. Value: 80.0 offenders (vs. 459193.51 total cost in dollars) Tags: medical,budget Sources: gdc.georgia.gov: gdc annual fiscal report 2021 - [reported] GDC administers about 100,000 prescription medications per month The state's correctional facilities administer about 100,000 prescription medications per month, whether in the form of keep-on-person blister packs, pill call, supervised nursing, or otherwise depending on type of medication. Value: 100000.0 prescriptions per month Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: medical,operations Sources: senate.ga.gov: 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport, 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport [2] - [reported] FY2016 GDC Health program budget: $207,780,194 (17.1% of budget) GDC's FY2016 Annual Operating Budget 'Breakdown by Program' lists Health at $207,780,194, or 17.1% of the budget. Value: 207780194.0 dollars (vs. 17.1 percent of total budget) Date: 2016-01-01 Tags: medical,budget Sources: gdc.georgia.gov: gdc annual fiscal report 2016 - [reported] FY2021 physical health contract covered 60 facilities and 45,000+ offenders GDC's offender physical health contract, as reported in the FY2021 annual report, covered 60 facilities and more than 45,000 offenders. Value: 60.0 facilities (vs. 45000 offenders covered) Tags: medical,operations,facilities Sources: gdc.georgia.gov: gdc annual fiscal report 2021 - [confirmed] DOJ: CO vacancy ~50% systemwide, >70% at ten largest facilities The DOJ report states GDC's correctional officer vacancy rate was around 50% systemwide and over 70% at ten of the largest facilities. Value: 50.0 percent (vs. 70 percent at ten largest facilities) Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: staffing,operations,investigations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] About 14,000 inmates have identified mental health conditions GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver told the Senate Study Committee that about 14,000 inmates system-wide have identified mental health conditions. Value: 14000.0 inmates Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: mental_health,demographics Sources: senate.ga.gov: 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport, 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport [2] - [reported] FY2021 Health program budget: $251,946,510 GDC's Amended FY2021 'Appropriations by Program' lists Health at $251,946,510. Value: 251946510.0 dollars Tags: budget,medical Sources: gdc.georgia.gov: gdc annual fiscal report 2021 - [reported] Record 332 GDC prison deaths in 2024; 2020 record included 72 COVID deaths The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that prison deaths in GDC facilities reached a record 332 in 2024, and that the previous record year, 2020, included 72 prisoners who died of COVID; totals have remained high since. Value: 332.0 deaths (vs. 72 COVID deaths in 2020) Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: death,medical,conditions Sources: Georgia prison homicides soar as lawmakers focus on fixes - [reported] Health Services Division FTE count: 26 in FY20, 24 in FY21, 24 in FY22 GDC's fiscal-year annual report lists the Health Services Division's end-of-fiscal-year full-time-employee count as 26 in FY20, 24 in FY21, and 24 in FY22. Value: 24.0 FTE (vs. 26 FY20) Tags: staffing,medical Sources: 2O22 (gdc.georgia.gov) - [reported] Systemwide vacancy of around 480 healthcare providers by 2020 By 2020, a systemwide vacancy of around 480 healthcare providers left some Georgia prisons without a medical director or enough nurses to meet need, according to documents from Wellpath's original 2021 contract provided by GDC. Value: 480.0 healthcare provider vacancies Date: 2020-01-01 Tags: staffing,medical,conditions Sources: Georgia prisons will soon have a new healthcare provider after contract was brought into question - [confirmed] GDC homicides 2018-2023 per mortality reports According to GDC mortality reports cited in the DOJ report, GDC prisons had 7 homicides in 2018, 13 in 2019, 28 in 2020, 28 in 2021, 31 in 2022, and 35 in 2023. Value: 35.0 homicides (vs. 7 homicides in 2018) Tags: violence,death,trend Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] FY2008 GCHC physical health expenditure exceeded contract by $15 million DOAA found GDC's contract amount for inmate health care did not always match GCHC's actual expenses: in fiscal year 2008 GCHC expended approximately $178 million for physical health care while the contract covered $163 million, a $15 million deficit. Value: 15.0 million dollars (vs. 178 FY2008 GCHC expenditure (millions)) Tags: budget,medical Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [reported] Physical healthcare delivered at 60 facilities to over 46,000 offenders with $185M contract GDC's FY2022 Annual Report states that physical healthcare was delivered at 60 state facilities, to more than 46,000 offenders, with a $185,038,040 physical health care contract amount. Value: 185038040.0 USD Tags: medical,budget,facilities Sources: 2O22 (gdc.georgia.gov) - [reported] FY2014 Health budget: $188,966,904 (15.81%) GDC's FY2014 Annual Report budget breakdown lists 'Health' at $188,966,904, 15.81% of the FY2014 budget. Value: 188966904.0 dollars (vs. 15.81 percent of FY2014 budget) Tags: budget,medical Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2014 - [confirmed] DOJ: 18 confirmed or suspected homicides Jan-May 2024 DOJ's report states that in the first five months of 2024 there were 18 confirmed or suspected homicides in GDC custody, based on GDC's reported homicide totals and other documentation. Value: 18.0 homicides Tags: violence,death,investigations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Physical and total healthcare cost per inmate stable since FY2003 DOAA found that physical healthcare cost per inmate had been stable near $3,500 and total healthcare cost per inmate around $4,000 going back to fiscal year 2003. Value: 3500.0 dollars per inmate per year (vs. 4000 total healthcare cost per inmate per year) Tags: budget,medical Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [reported] FY22 Health program budget: $247,756,340 GDC's FY22 Appropriations and Budget by Program lists Health at $247,756,340. Value: 247756340.0 USD Tags: budget,medical Sources: 2O22 (gdc.georgia.gov) - [confirmed] ASMP is a 95-bed acute care hospital staffed by 500 Augusta University personnel GDC's facility page states ASMP is "a 95-bed acute care hospital" staffed by "500 Augusta University employees, faculty and staff, and contractors" who provide care to offenders from throughout the state of Georgia. Value: 95.0 beds (vs. 500 Augusta University staff and contractors) Tags: facilities,medical,staffing Sources: Augusta State Medical Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] FY2007 inmate healthcare: direct care $61.5, budget $195,177,486, 53,863 inmates GDC's FY2014 Annual Report 'Inmate Healthcare Costs' table lists, for fiscal year 2007: Direct Care (Expenditures) 61.5, Budget 195,177,486, Inmates 53,863. Value: 195177486.0 dollars (vs. 53863 inmates) Tags: budget,medical,demographics Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2014 - [confirmed] Georgia 2019 prison homicide rate 34 per 100,000 vs national 12 The DOJ report states that Georgia's prison homicide rate in 2019 was almost triple the national average: 34 per 100,000 people in Georgia versus a national average of 12 per 100,000 in state prisons. Value: 34.0 per 100,000 people (vs. 12 national average per 100,000) Date: 2019-01-01 Tags: violence,death,trend Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [confirmed] ASMP 95 beds broken down by unit type GDC's facility page lists ASMP's 95 hospital beds as Acute Care Infirmaries (2x20 beds), a Long Term Care Infirmary (20 beds), a Pre and Post-OP Infirmary (15 beds), and an Accommodative Living Unit (20 beds). Value: 95.0 beds Tags: facilities,medical Sources: Augusta State Medical Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] FY2014 inmate healthcare: direct care $49.4, budget $202,249,867, 50,830 inmates GDC's FY2014 Annual Report 'Inmate Healthcare Costs' table lists, for fiscal year 2014: Direct Care (Expenditures) 49.4, Budget 202,249,867, Inmates 50,830. Value: 202249867.0 dollars (vs. 50830 inmates) Tags: budget,medical,demographics Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2014 - [confirmed] GDC September 2023 board deck: 38 homicides, 40 suicides prior FY The DOJ report states that GDC's own September 2023 slide deck to the State Board of Corrections acknowledged 38 homicides and 40 suicides of people in GDC custody in the previous fiscal year. Value: 38.0 homicides (vs. 40 suicides) Date: 2023-09-01 Tags: violence,death,mental_health,investigations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] FY2009 GCHC contract surplus of $7 million The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts reported that in fiscal year 2009, GCHC expended $171 million while the contract was $178 million, a $7 million surplus. Value: 7.0 million dollars (vs. 171 FY2009 GCHC expenditure (millions)) Tags: budget,medical Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [reported] Centurion serves over 30 facilities, ADP nearly 52,000 Under the Centurion contract, Centurion provides mental and dental health services on site at over 30 Georgia state prison facilities, for a Georgia Department of Corrections system with an average daily population of nearly 52,000 inmates. Value: 52000.0 inmates Date: 2019-01-01 Tags: medical,mental_health,demographics,facilities Sources: Centene Subsidiary Re-Awarded Correctional Mental and Dental Healthcare Contract in Georgia, Centene Corporation, August 2, 2019 - [reported] GDC cared for ~200 Hepatitis C patients and ~830 HIV patients annually (FY2019) As reported in GDC's FY2019 annual report, GDC cared for approximately 200 Hepatitis C patients each year and provided about $3.5 million in Hepatitis C medications, while also caring for approximately 830 offenders with HIV and providing around $14.7 million in HIV medications annually. Value: 200.0 patients (vs. 830 HIV patients) Tags: medical,budget Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2019 - [reported] FY2017 Health program budget: $249,289,549 GDC's FY2017 adjusted annual operating budget 'Appropriation by Program' lists Health at $249,289,549. Value: 249289549.0 dollars Tags: budget,medical Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2017 - [reported] Approximately 45,000 inmates (89%) receive healthcare through GCHC contract The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts reported that approximately 45,000 (89%) inmates receive healthcare services through the GCHC contract. Value: 45000.0 inmates (vs. 89 percent of inmates) Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: medical,demographics Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [reported] FY2019 Amended Appropriations Health budget: $238,866,183 GDC's Amended Appropriations by Program table lists Health at a budget of $238,866,183. Value: 238866183.0 USD Tags: budget,medical Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2019 - [confirmed] ASMP mental health population approximately 602 offenders with 35 CSU beds GDC's facility page states ASMP's mental health population is "approximately 602 offenders" with Crisis Stabilization Unit beds totaling 35 (1x20 beds and 1x15 beds). Value: 602.0 offenders (vs. 35 CSU beds) Tags: mental_health,facilities,medical Sources: Augusta State Medical Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] FY2018 Health program budget: $238,206,280 GDC's FY2018 'Appropriation by Program' table lists Health at $238,206,280. Value: 238206280.0 dollars Tags: budget,medical Sources: GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2018 - [reported] Valdosta State Prison population 1,013 on June 1, 2026 On June 1, 2026, there were 1,013 people incarcerated at Valdosta State Prison. Value: 1013.0 people Date: 2026-06-01 Tags: facilities,demographics Sources: Horrific Conditions Create Humanitarian Crisis at Valdosta State Prison – Southern Center for Human Rights – Equality. Dignity. Justice. - [reported] GCHC staffing composition and 19% vacancy rate The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts reported that GCHC provided 682 staff for physical health care services, 95 mental health nurses, 4 dental staff, and 211 staff categorized as 'other'; according to GCHC labor reports there was a 19% vacancy rate. Value: 19.0 percent vacancy rate (vs. 682 physical health care staff) Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: staffing,medical,mental_health Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [confirmed] ASMP capacity 1,326, opened 1983, security level Close GDC's facility page lists ASMP's capacity as 1,326, opened in 1983, security level Close. Value: 1326.0 capacity Tags: facilities,operations Sources: Augusta State Medical Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Pew: Georgia total correctional health care spending $206.1M (2007) to $208.1M (2011), +1% real Pew's 'State Prison Health Care Spending' report Table C.1 lists Georgia's total correctional health care spending as $206,094 thousand in 2007 and $208,103 thousand in 2011, a real change of 1%. Value: 208103.0 thousand dollars (2011) (vs. 206094 thousand dollars (2007)) Tags: budget,medical,trend Sources: A report from The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation July 2014 - [reported] As few as 7 officers on duty at Valdosta State Prison in first weekend of June 2026 GDC's own staffing reports showed no more than 15, and as few as 7, officers on duty at Valdosta State Prison on any given shift during the first weekend of June 2026, when 1,013 people were incarcerated there. Value: 7.0 officers (vs. 15 maximum officers on duty) Date: 2026-06-01 Tags: staffing,facilities,conditions Sources: Horrific Conditions Create Humanitarian Crisis at Valdosta State Prison – Southern Center for Human Rights – Equality. Dignity. Justice. - [reported] GCHC contract amount decreased 7% ($12.5 million) FY2010-FY2014 The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts found the GCHC contract amount decreased by 7% ($12.5 million) between fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2014. Value: 12.5 million dollars (vs. 7 percent decrease) Tags: budget,medical Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [reported] Pharmacy expenses 4.5% higher year-over-year in FY24, driven by Hepatitis-C treatment volumes GDC partners with CorrectRx for pharmacy services, with orders completed online and delivered same or next day; at the close of FY24, pharmacy expenses were 4.5% higher year-over-year, primarily driven by higher than anticipated Hepatitis-C treatment volumes. Value: 4.5 percent Tags: medical,budget Sources: FY24 Annual Report - [confirmed] ASMP constructed 1982, capacity 1326, opened 1983, Close security GDC's own facility page for Augusta State Med. Prison lists it as constructed in 1982 with capacity 1326, opened in 1983, security level Close. Value: 1326.0 capacity Tags: facilities,operations Sources: Augusta State Medical Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Pew: Georgia per-inmate health care spending $3,826 (2007) to $4,018 (2011), +5% real Pew's 'State Prison Health Care Spending' report Table C.3 lists Georgia's per-inmate correctional health care spending as $3,826 in 2007 and $4,018 in 2011, a real change of 5%. Value: 4018.0 dollars per inmate (2011) (vs. 3826 dollars per inmate (2007)) Tags: budget,medical,trend Sources: A report from The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation July 2014 - [reported] FY2014 GCHC contract amended mid-year for 340B pricing loss The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts reported that in FY2014 the GCHC contract amount was amended mid-year: the original contract amount was $158.9 million, and $2 million was added to compensate for the temporary loss of 340B pricing. Value: 2.0 million dollars (vs. 158.9 original FY2014 contract amount (millions)) Tags: budget,medical Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [reported] Hepatitis-C medications 15% of pharmaceutical costs, HIV 31%, other 44% in FY24 In FY24, Hepatitis-C medications accounted for 15% of GDC pharmaceutical costs, HIV medications 31%, and all other medicines 44%. Value: 15.0 percent (vs. 31 HIV percent) Tags: medical,budget Sources: FY24 Annual Report - [reported] Pew: Georgia average daily prison population 53,864 (2007) to 51,794 (2011), -4% Pew's 'State Prison Health Care Spending' report Table C.2 lists Georgia's average daily prison population as 53,864 in 2007 and 51,794 in 2011, a change of -4%. Value: 51794.0 average daily population (2011) (vs. 53864 average daily population (2007)) Tags: demographics,trend Sources: A report from The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation July 2014 - [reported] Giles autopsy: 76% carbon monoxide, above lethal range An autopsy found Giles had a carbon monoxide level of 76%, well above the 40% to 60% levels considered lethal. Value: 76.0 percent (vs. 60 upper lethal threshold (percent)) Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: death,medical Sources: $5 Million Settlement in Death of Georgia Prisoner Left by Guards in Cell on Fire - [reported] Offender Pharmacy subtotal expenses: $47.9M FY22, $53.5M FY23, $56.0M FY24 GDC's Offender Pharmacy subtotal expenses were $47,902,502.16 in FY22, $53,489,194.22 in FY23, and $55,994,365 in FY24, including Hepatitis-C Medications costs of $256,366.20 in FY22, $4,084,992 in FY23, and $8,317,626.40 in FY24. Value: 55994365.0 USD (vs. 47902502.16 FY22) Tags: medical,budget Sources: FY24 Annual Report - [reported] AJC analysis: GDC on track for deadliest year ever in 2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that its analysis of 2024 data found GDC was on track to have its deadliest year ever, with at least 24 homicides and a total of 156 deaths reported in the first six months of 2024. Value: 156.0 deaths (vs. 24 homicides) Tags: death,violence,investigations Sources: State lawmakers dig into violent conditions in Georgia prisons, Fulton jail • Georgia Recorder, state lawmakers dig into violent conditions in georgia prisons fulton jail [2] - [reported] FY2024 Amended Appropriations Health budget: $338,556,718 GDC's Amended FY2024 Appropriations and Budget by Program lists Health at $338,556,718. Value: 338556718.0 USD Tags: budget,medical Sources: FY24 Annual Report - [confirmed] Approximately 55 offenders receive dialysis daily at ASMP, three hours per treatment GDC's press release states that on average approximately 55 offenders receive dialysis treatment each day at ASMP, with an average of three hours to complete the process per individual, and the Center operates six days per week with two shifts. Value: 55.0 offenders per day (vs. 3 hours per treatment) Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: medical,facilities Sources: Expanded Dialysis Center Opens at Augusta State Medical Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections - [reported] Vera: Georgia health care payments 20% of prison spending (2015) The Vera Institute's 'The Price of Prisons' report lists Georgia's state prison costs as a share of total prison spending at 20% for 'Payments to health care providers'. Value: 20.0 percent of prison spending Date: 2015-01-01 Tags: budget,medical Sources: May 2017 (vera-institute.files.svdcdn.com) - [confirmed] EMS director: average 30-minute delay at GDC prison gates The DOJ report quotes an EMS director's estimate that EMS teams are delayed an average of 30 minutes during emergency responses to a GDC prison, waiting for security staff to open the three gates necessary to access the prison's medical department. Value: 30.0 minutes Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: staffing,medical,operations,facilities Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Vera: national prison health care payments 11% of prison spending Vera Institute's 'The Price of Prisons' report states that nationally only 11 percent of prison spending was spent on payments for prison health care, including payments to outside health care providers, pharmaceuticals, and hospital care. Value: 11.0 percent of prison spending Date: 2015-01-01 Tags: budget,medical Sources: May 2017 (vera-institute.files.svdcdn.com) - [confirmed] GDC Health program funding FY2015–FY2018 GDC's Health program total funds were $199,368,523 in FY2015 expenditures, $207,771,903 in FY2016 expenditures, $204,683,131 in the FY2017 current budget, and a Governor's recommendation of $260,159,778 for FY2018. Value: 199368523.0 USD (vs. 260159778 FY2018 Governor's recommendation (USD)) Tags: budget,medical Sources: The Governor’s Budget Report, fy 2018 governors budget report - [reported] Vera: Georgia ADP 46,145, total prison expenditures $921,844,210, cost per inmate $19,977 Vera Institute's 'The Price of Prisons' report lists Georgia's average daily prison population as 46,145, total prison expenditures as $921,844,210, and cost per inmate as $19,977. Value: 19977.0 dollars per inmate (vs. 921844210 total prison expenditures in dollars) Date: 2015-01-01 Tags: budget,demographics Sources: May 2017 (vera-institute.files.svdcdn.com) - [reported] GDC health appropriation approximately $200 million annually, ~80% physical health As of the audit, inmate health care was funded through GDC's health appropriation of approximately $200 million per year, of which approximately 80% was for physical health through the contract with GRU, while mental health and dental health services were also provided through the health budget but the majority of those services were provided separately from the GRU contract. Value: 200.0 million dollars per year (vs. 80 percent for physical health) Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: budget,medical,mental_health Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [reported] Governor's AFY2026 budget: $39,777,721 total change to DOC Health program Georgia's Governor's Budget Report recommends a total change to the Department of Corrections' Health program appropriation, including $38,869,898 for the physical health contract (per diem increase, outside-the-wire care, and additional beds), $479,411 for the mental health contract, and $374,587 for the dental health contract, totaling $39,777,721. Value: 39777721.0 dollars Tags: budget,medical,mental_health Sources: Governor's Budget Report, AFY 2026 and FY 2027 - [reported] Governor's FY2027 budget: $54,769,710 total change to DOC Health program Georgia's Governor's Budget Report recommends increasing the Department of Corrections' Health program funds for the physical health contract by $47,880,895 for a per diem increase and additional beds, for the mental health contract by $1,917,644, for the dental health contract by $1,498,347, and for the pharmacy contract by $3,681,328, totaling a change of $54,769,710. Value: 54769710.0 dollars Tags: budget,medical,mental_health Sources: Governor's Budget Report, AFY 2026 and FY 2027 - [reported] Nearly half of SMU inmates had documented mental disorders; two suicides in 2017 Nearly half of those assigned to Georgia's Special Management Unit had documented mental disorders requiring treatment, and two men committed suicide in the SMU in 2017. Value: 2.0 suicides Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: solitary,mental_health,death Sources: Georgia Prisoners Reach Settlement to Reform One of the “Harshest and Most Draconian” Solitary Confinement Units in the Nation – Southern Center for Human Rights - [reported] GDC Health program FY2026 continuation base: $345,418,609 state funds The Georgia Department of Corrections' Health program continuation budget base for FY2026 was $345,418,609 in total state funds, under both the Governor's and House versions. Value: 345418609.0 USD Tags: medical,budget Sources: HB 68 (FY2026) Criminal Justice and Public Safety budget, Georgia General Assembly - [reported] GDC Health program FY2026: Governor $376.6M vs House $402.3M state funds The Georgia Department of Corrections' Health program FY2026 appropriation totaled $376,594,608 in state funds under the Governor's recommendation, versus $402,253,673 under the House version. Value: 376594608.0 USD (vs. 402253673 House version state funds (USD)) Tags: medical,budget Sources: HB 68 (FY2026) Criminal Justice and Public Safety budget, Georgia General Assembly LEGAL FACTS (51) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Gumm v. Sellers settlement requires out-of-cell mental health evaluation before SMU assignment and at reviews Under the Gumm v. Sellers settlement, before assignment to the SMU and at every 60-day or 90-day review hearing, people will receive an out-of-cell mental health evaluation performed by a licensed mental health provider; if the provider finds someone is decompensating or likely to decompensate, they will be transferred to an appropriate treatment facility. Tags: solitary,mental_health,legal,policy Sources: Georgia Prisoners Reach Settlement to Reform One of the “Harshest and Most Draconian” Solitary Confinement Units in the Nation – Southern Center for Human Rights - [reported] Griggs and Maddox lawsuit settled The Augusta Press reported that a civil rights lawsuit against the state of Georgia over conditions at Augusta State Medical Prison, filed in U.S. District Court in Augusta in 2017 on behalf of Eugene Griggs and Cameron Maddox, was settled, with the settlement coming months after DOJ announced it would investigate allegations that prison officials abandoned responsibility for inmate safety and medical care. Tags: legal,conditions,medical,investigations Sources: State settles civil rights lawsuit over Augusta State Medical Prison conditions - The Augusta Press - [reported] DOJ Eighth Amendment finding on protection from violence The DOJ findings report states that the State fails to protect incarcerated people from violence and harm by other incarcerated people, in violation of the Eighth Amendment, as one of its two listed findings (the report's FINDINGS section lists only this and a sexual-harm finding; there is no separate finding on medical or mental health care). Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: violence,legal,investigations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] Trans medical care lawsuit names Oliver, Sauls, Mardis, and Centurion Health as defendants The Georgia class-action lawsuit over trans medical care named as defendants GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver, Assistant Commissioner Randy Sauls, GDC Medical Director Marlah Mardis, and Centurion Health, and charged them with deliberate indifference to the medical needs of people in their custody. Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: legal,medical,policy Sources: Trans People in Georgia Prisons File Class Action Lawsuit Challenging Ban on Essential Medical Care, Seek Injunction Restoring Hormone Therapy | Center for Constitutional Rights - [reported] Former ASMP medical director lawsuit settled The Augusta Press reported that the state settled a separate lawsuit filed by a former medical director at Augusta State Medical Prison who alleged he was forced out of his job because he spoke out about dangerous safety and health conditions for inmates and staff. Date: 2021-01-01 Tags: legal,medical,corruption,conditions Sources: State settles civil rights lawsuit over Augusta State Medical Prison conditions - The Augusta Press - [reported] Trans medical care lawsuit filed by CCR and Bondurant Mixson & Elmore; seeks Eighth Amendment injunction The lawsuit over Georgia's trans medical care ban was filed by the Center for Constitutional Rights and lawyers from Bondurant Mixson & Elmore LLP, charging the defendants with deliberate indifference to the medical needs of people in their custody and asking the court to enjoin the law as violating the Eighth Amendment. Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: legal,medical Sources: Trans People in Georgia Prisons File Class Action Lawsuit Challenging Ban on Essential Medical Care, Seek Injunction Restoring Hormone Therapy | Center for Constitutional Rights - [confirmed] OCGA § 42-5-2 caps non-contracted hospital reimbursement at Medicaid rate A Georgia Penal Institutions Code provision on costs of inmate care states that a hospital authority or hospital not under contract with the Georgia Department of Corrections as of July 1, 2009 shall be reimbursed no more than the applicable Georgia Medicaid rate for emergency services provided to a state inmate. Date: 2009-01-01 Tags: legal,medical,budget Sources: Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 42-5-2 (GPS's copy of the Code) - [reported] GDC awarded $2.4 billion healthcare contract to Centurion without competitive process, per lawsuit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the Georgia Department of Corrections has awarded a $2.4 billion contract for healthcare in the prison system to a new company without the competitive process required under state law, per the then-current contractor's lawsuit. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: legal,budget,medical,policy Sources: Lawsuit accuses Ga. prison system of violating state law to replace healthcare provider - [confirmed] Board of Corrections rule lists hepatitis C among chronic conditions GDC's Board of Corrections rule on medical services lists hepatitis C among chronic conditions (along with AIDS, tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis and renal disease) relevant to inmate medical care responsibilities and co-pay deduction procedures. Tags: medical,policy,legal Sources: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 125-4-4-.01, Responsibility (Georgia Board of Corrections rule; passage checked against GPS's copy of the rule) - [confirmed] Wellpath appeal A25A0483 withdrawn October 29, 2024 The Georgia Court of Appeals order in Wellpath LLC v. State of Georgia, case A25A0483, granting Wellpath's motion to withdraw its appeal, is dated Atlanta, October 29, 2024. Date: 2024-10-29 Tags: legal,corruption,medical Sources: Wellpath, LLC v. State of Georgia, Court of Appeals of Georgia, 2024-10-29 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Wellpath lawsuit claims its price was objectively lower than Centurion's $2.4 billion The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Wellpath's lawsuit asserted that its price was "objectively lower" than the $2.4 billion the GDC agreed to pay Centurion for a contract of similar length. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: legal,budget,medical Sources: Lawsuit accuses Ga. prison system of violating state law to replace healthcare provider - [confirmed] Eleventh Circuit: genuine disputes of material fact in Johnson v. Lewis HCV case In Johnson v. Lewis, the Eleventh Circuit held there were genuine disputes of material fact as to whether GDC Statewide Medical Director Dr. Sharon Lewis and prison doctors Thomas Ferrell and Kevin Marler were deliberately indifferent to inmate Ricky Johnson's Hepatitis C, which progressed to stage F4 cirrhosis after he was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 2009 but did not receive medication for nine years. Date: 2023-10-11 Tags: medical,legal,hepatitis Sources: Ricky J. Johnson v. Dr. Sharon Lewis, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2023-10-11 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Federal grand jury returned two-count indictment Aug. 5 against former ASMP officers Roberson and Phillips On Aug. 5, a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Georgia returned a two-count indictment charging former Augusta State Medical Prison Correctional Officers Robert Roberson and Marcus Phillips with violating the constitutional rights of an inmate by showing deliberate indifference, in connection with his death. Tags: legal,death,investigations Sources: Office of Public Affairs | Former Augusta State Medical Prison Correctional Officers Charged in Connection with Inmate’s Death | United States Department of Justice - [confirmed] O.C.G.A. § 42-5-55: no medical deduction when inmate account balance is $10 or less O.C.G.A. § 42-5-55 authorizes the commissioner to establish criteria for deductions from an inmate's account to defray costs for medical treatment initiated by the inmate, but prohibits deductions whenever the balance in the inmate's account is $10.00 or less. Tags: legal,medical,policy Sources: Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 42-5-55 (GPS's copy of the Code) - [reported] Henegar sued five prison employees under §1983 for deliberate indifference Proceeding under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Henegar sued five prison employees, two corrections officers and three nurses, arguing that by failing to ensure he got his Dilantin they exhibited deliberate indifference to his medical needs in violation of the Eighth Amendment; the district court granted summary judgment. Date: 2016-01-01 Tags: legal,medical Sources: USCA11 Case: 21-14275 Document: 84-1 Date Filed: 07/10/2024 Page: 1 of 47 - [confirmed] O.C.G.A. § 42-5-55: chronic-illness medications exempt from account deductions O.C.G.A. § 42-5-55 excludes medication prescribed for treatment of a chronic illness from costs deductible from an inmate's account, defining 'chronic illness' to include hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary illness, a seizure disorder, AIDS, cancer, tuberculosis, hepatitis C, rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder, and renal disease. Tags: legal,medical,policy Sources: Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 42-5-55 (GPS's copy of the Code) - [reported] Eleventh Circuit en banc holds deliberate-indifference plaintiff must show actual awareness The Eleventh Circuit sitting en banc in Wade v. McDade held that to show subjective recklessness as used in criminal law, a deliberate-indifference plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant was actually aware that his own conduct caused a substantial risk of serious harm to the plaintiff, and remanded to the panel for application of this standard. Date: 2024-07-10 Tags: legal,medical Sources: USCA11 Case: 21-14275 Document: 84-1 Date Filed: 07/10/2024 Page: 1 of 47 - [confirmed] O.C.G.A. § 42-5-55: medical deductions do not relieve state of duty to provide treatment O.C.G.A. § 42-5-55 provides that deductions to defray medical treatment costs shall in no way relieve the governmental unit, agency, or subdivision having physical custody of an inmate from furnishing needed medical treatment. Tags: legal,medical Sources: Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 42-5-55 (GPS's copy of the Code) - [reported] DOJ report included 13 pages of remedial recommendations and 49-day lawsuit warning The DOJ findings report on Georgia prisons included 13 pages of recommended short- and long-term remedial measures and stated the Attorney General may file a lawsuit to correct the problems in 49 days. Tags: investigations,legal,conditions Sources: Justice Department finds Georgia is ‘deliberately indifferent’ to unchecked abuses at its prisons | FOX 5 Atlanta - [confirmed] Benjamin v. Oliver permanent injunction and class certification signed 12/3/2025 The order in Benjamin v. Oliver granting permanent injunction and class certification was signed by Judge Victoria M. Calvert on 12/3/2025. The court granted plaintiffs' motion to certify class and motion for permanent injunction and partial summary judgment, denied the State Defendants' motion for partial summary judgment on the merits, and certified final judgment as to plaintiffs' and class members' § 1983 claims for injunctive relief stemming from enforcement of S.B. 185's prohibitions on hormone therapy. Date: 2025-12-03 Tags: legal,medical,policy Sources: Benjamin v. Oliver, 2025-12-03 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Federal Medicaid funds barred for most services to inmates of public institutions Federal law prohibits the use of federal Medicaid funds to pay for nearly all services for an inmate of a public institution regardless of Medicaid eligibility, but states may receive federal Medicaid funds for services provided to individuals who receive inpatient hospital services during incarceration. Tags: legal,medical,budget,policy Sources: State Medicaid Eligibility Policies for Individuals Moving - [confirmed] O.C.G.A. § 42-4-71: county jail medical co-pay capped at $5 per occurrence O.C.G.A. § 42-4-71, governing county detention facilities, caps the deduction from an inmate's account for inmate-requested medical treatment at $5.00 per occurrence and bars the fee when the account balance is $10.00 or less. Tags: legal,medical,policy Sources: Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 42-4-71 (GPS's copy of the Code) - [reported] Eleventh Circuit affirmed qualified immunity in Wade v. McDade On December 23, 2024, a panel of the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the grant of qualified immunity to defendant officials with the Georgia Department of Corrections in the claim of a now-dead Georgia prisoner, David Henegar, who suffered epileptic seizures and injury after his medication was withheld at Walker State Prison. Date: 2024-12-23 Tags: legal,medical,death Sources: Eleventh Circuit Announces New Deliberate Indifference - [reported] Eleventh Circuit affirms judgment against Betty Wade after en banc remand After the en banc Eleventh Circuit remanded Wade v. McDade to the panel, the court of appeals issued a non-published opinion affirming the judgment against appellant Betty Wade. Date: 2024-12-23 Tags: legal Sources: Betty Wade v. Georgia Correctional Health, LLC, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2024-12-23 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] ASMP civil rights lawsuit settled 2022 The Augusta Press reported that a civil rights lawsuit against the state of Georgia over conditions inside Augusta State Medical Prison was settled in 2022, following the DOJ's announcement that it would investigate allegations that prison officials had abandoned their duties. Date: 2022-01-01 Tags: legal,conditions,investigations,facilities Sources: Inmate death at Augusta State Medical Prison sparks concerns over facility safety - The Augusta Press - [reported] Court question on Eighth Amendment for pre-SB 185 hormone therapy recipients The district court in Benjamin v. Oliver directed the parties to address whether the Eighth Amendment analysis differs for persons who were already receiving hormone replacement therapy, as the term is defined in SB 185, prior to the date of SB 185's effectiveness. Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: legal,medical Sources: Benjamin v. Oliver, 2025-12-03 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Pearson v. Augusta State Medical Prison §2241 petition dismissed Pearson v. Augusta State Medical Prison, a habeas corpus petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 in the Southern District of Georgia, was dismissed without prejudice by the district court on August 7, 2025, denying a certificate of appealability. Date: 2025-08-07 Tags: legal,medical Sources: Pearson v. Augusta State Medical Prison, 2025-08-07 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Wade v. McDade citation Prison Legal News cites the case as Wade v. McDade, 2024 U.S. App. LEXIS 32496 (11th Cir.), decided 2024. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: legal Sources: Eleventh Circuit Announces New Deliberate Indifference - [reported] Wellpath alleged it did not get fair chance to negotiate before $2.4 billion Centurion deal Wellpath alleged in its complaint that GDC signed a $2.4 billion deal with Centurion without giving Wellpath a fair chance to negotiate a new contract. Tags: legal,budget,corruption Sources: Georgia prisons will soon have a new healthcare provider after contract was brought into question - [confirmed] Edwards v. Augusta State Medical Prison §1983 case dismissed Edwards v. Augusta State Medical Prison, a prisoner civil-rights case under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the Southern District of Georgia, was dismissed without prejudice on May 12, 2025 under Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(1)(A)(i). Date: 2025-05-12 Tags: legal,medical Sources: Edwards v. Augusta State Medical Prison, 2025-05-12 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Appellants in Isis Benjamin v. GDC Commissioner In the 11th Circuit appeal Isis Benjamin v. Commissioner, Georgia Department of Corrections, the appellants are the Assistant Commissioner, Georgia Department of Corrections, the Commissioner, Georgia Department of Corrections, and the Statewide Medical Director. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: legal,medical Sources: Isis Benjamin v. Commissioner, Georgia Department of Corrections, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2026-08-17 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Wellpath alleged it spent $40 million of its own money over three years on constitutional healthcare In the lawsuit, Wellpath alleged that over three years it spent $40 million of its own money to uphold the state's constitutional right to provide prisoners with adequate health care. Tags: legal,budget,medical Sources: Georgia prisons will soon have a new healthcare provider after contract was brought into question - [reported] Oral argument in Isis Benjamin v. GDC Commissioner The appeal in Isis Benjamin v. Commissioner, Georgia Department of Corrections at the Eleventh Circuit involved oral argument presented by counsel for the Commissioner, Statewide Medical Director and Assistant Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections as Appellants, and for Appellees John Doe, Isis Benjamin, Fantasia Horton, Naeomi Madison and Brynn Wilson. Date: 2026-08-17 Tags: legal,medical Sources: Isis Benjamin v. Commissioner, Georgia Department of Corrections, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2026-08-17 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Eleventh Circuit dismisses state appeal as moot The Eleventh Circuit dismissed as moot the state defendants' appeal of the preliminary injunction in Isis Benjamin v. Commissioner, Georgia Department of Corrections following the district court's December 3 order and judgment. Date: 2025-12-18 Tags: legal,medical Sources: Isis Benjamin v. Commissioner, Georgia Department of Corrections, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2025-12-18 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Gumm SMU settlement final approval May 7, 2019 The Court issued its Final Order and Permanent Injunction in the Gumm SMU settlement on May 7, 2019, which certified the settlement class and granted final approval of the settlement agreement. Date: 2019-05-07 Tags: legal,solitary,conditions Sources: Case 5:15-cv-00041-MTT Document 485 Filed 04/23/24 Page 1 of 100 - [reported] No formal DOJ-GDC resolution as of February 22, 2025 As of February 22, 2025, DOJ and the State of Georgia had not reached a formal resolution to resolve GDC's allegedly unlawful practices identified in the findings report. Date: 2025-02-22 Tags: investigations,legal Sources: DOJ Investigation of Georgia Prisons, Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse - [reported] Gumm filed lawsuit February 12, 2015 Timothy Gumm, then an inmate held in GDC's Special Management Unit, filed a federal lawsuit on February 12, 2015 challenging unconstitutional conditions and practices in the SMU's Tier III Program. Date: 2015-02-12 Tags: legal,solitary,conditions Sources: Case 5:15-cv-00041-MTT Document 485 Filed 04/23/24 Page 1 of 100 - [confirmed] Whittle v. Southern Correctional Medicine: Dynamic Mobile Dentistry dismissed for failure to state §1983 claim In Whittle v. Southern Correctional Medicine, the court dismissed Dynamic Mobile Dentistry on the ground that the plaintiff failed to state a claim of Section 1983 liability for its dental treatment of the plaintiff, and the case proceeded on the plaintiff's medical deliberate-indifference claim against Southern Correctional Medicine d/b/a Genesys Healthcare Alliance, LLC. Date: 2023-09-12 Tags: legal,medical Sources: Whittle v. Southern Correctional Medicine, 2023-09-12 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Doe v. GDC preliminary injunction on gender-affirming items, April 17, 2024 On 4/17/2024 the district court in Doe v. Georgia Department of Corrections granted in part Jane Doe's motion for preliminary injunction, ordering defendants to provide Plaintiff access to breast and buttock padding and hair removal cream until hormone replacement therapy had the intended impact, and to provide status updates about Plaintiff's surgical consultation. Date: 2024-04-17 Tags: legal,medical,policy Sources: Doe v. Georgia Department, 2024-04-17 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Ashley Diamond settlement payment In the Ashley Diamond v. Owens case (SPLC lawsuit over denial of medically necessary transgender health care and hormone therapy in a Georgia men's prison), the Georgia Department of Corrections agreed, as part of a settlement, to pay Diamond an undisclosed financial settlement. Date: 2016-02-12 Tags: legal,medical Sources: Settlement reached in SPLC case that highlighted plight of transgender prisoners - [confirmed] Whittle v. Southern Correctional Medicine: summary judgment granted to Genesys and DMD, case closed In Whittle v. Southern Correctional Medicine, the court granted summary judgment to Southern Correctional Medicine, LLC and directed the clerk to enter final judgment in favor of both Genesys and DMD, closing the civil action. Tags: legal,medical Sources: Whittle v. Southern Correctional Medicine, 2023-09-12 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Eleventh Circuit dismisses Doe appeal as moot after federal transfer The Eleventh Circuit dismissed the GDC defendants' appeal of the preliminary injunction in Jane Doe v. Georgia Department of Corrections as moot after Doe was transferred to federal custody, because the preliminary injunction had also expired. Date: 2025-03-06 Tags: legal,transfers,medical Sources: Jane Doe v. Georgia Department of Corrections, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2025-03-06 (court record via CourtListener) - [confirmed] Eleventh Circuit appeal stemmed from gender-affirming care injunction The Eleventh Circuit's appeal in Jane Doe v. Georgia Department of Corrections stemmed from a preliminary injunction that required prison officials to provide Jane Doe breast and buttock padding and hair-removal cream while incarcerated in a state prison, and the court dismissed the appeal as moot after Doe was transferred to federal custody. Date: 2025-03-06 Tags: legal,medical,transfers Sources: Jane Doe v. Georgia Department of Corrections, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2025-03-06 (court record via CourtListener) - [reported] Trump DOJ withdrew statement of interest supporting transgender Georgia inmate The DOJ under the Trump administration officially withdrew a statement of interest that had supported a transgender woman incarcerated in Georgia's attempt to obtain gender-affirming care and surgery. The DOJ under President Joe Biden issued the statement of interest in the case the prior year. Tags: legal,medical,policy Sources: Raven.config('https://6b64f5cc8af542cbb920e0238864390a@sentry.io/147999').install(); (advocate.com) - [reported] Gumm v. Jacobs settlement approved May 7, 2019, with $425,000 attorney fees and costs The district court approved a settlement agreement and final judgment in Gumm v. Jacobs, a class action over SMU conditions at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison, with attorney fees and costs of $425,000. Date: 2019-01-01 Tags: legal,solitary,conditions Sources: David M. Reutter, "Settlement in Class-Action Suit Over SMU Conditions at Georgia Prison," Prison Legal News, September 9, 2019 - [confirmed] DOJ investigation timeline: 2016 LGBTI, 2021 expanded to violence DOJ launched a statewide investigation in 2016 into whether GDC adequately protects LGBTI incarcerated persons from sexual abuse by staff and other incarcerated persons, and in 2021 expanded the investigation to include protection of all incarcerated persons at medium- and close-security-level prisons from violence. Tags: investigations,legal,violence,conditions Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [reported] 2011 legislation required Medicaid rate for non-contracted hospital emergency care Because of legislation enacted in 2011, GCHC began paying the Medicaid rate to non-contracted hospitals when emergency services are provided to inmates, whereas previously hospitals that would not enter contracts with GCHC were able to impose full charges on inmate care. Date: 2011-01-01 Tags: legal,budget,medical Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [reported] Gumm v. Jacobs settlement establishes general 24-month limit on SMU confinement The settlement agreement in the Gumm v. Jacobs SMU class action establishes a "general 24-month limit on confinement in SMU," and class members will be regularly reviewed to "determine whether they will process through the program phases or transfer to a different facility." Date: 2019-01-01 Tags: legal,solitary,conditions Sources: David M. Reutter, "Settlement in Class-Action Suit Over SMU Conditions at Georgia Prison," Prison Legal News, September 9, 2019 - [reported] DOJ Civil Rights Division statewide investigation into Georgia prison violence and sexual abuse The U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division announced a statewide investigation into homicides inside Georgia prisons, prisoner-on-prisoner violence and the sexual abuse of gay, lesbian and transgender prisoners by other inmates and staffers. Tags: investigations,violence,legal Sources: Family gets $2.2 million settlement for death of Georgia inmate, calls for criminal investigation | News | rockdalenewtoncitizen.com - [confirmed] DOJ reasonable cause: Georgia violates Eighth Amendment DOJ's findings report concludes there is reasonable cause to believe the State of Georgia and GDC violate the Eighth Amendment, after an investigation of Georgia's prisons housing people at the medium- and close-security levels. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: legal,investigations,conditions,violence Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) - [confirmed] DOJ conclusion: failure to protect from violence and sexual abuse The DOJ report's conclusion states the Department has reasonable cause to believe Georgia violates the Eighth Amendment by failing to protect incarcerated persons from violence and sexual abuse, and by failing to provide reasonably safe conditions. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: legal,violence,conditions,investigations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) TRENDS (7) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Pew: median real per-inmate health care spending change, FY2010-FY2015 Pew's 'Prison Health Care: Costs and Quality' report states that from fiscal 2010 to 2015, real per-inmate health care spending rose by a median of 2 percent across state departments of correction. Tags: budget,medical Sources: A report from Oct 2017 - [reported] AJC: GDC prisoner deaths by calendar year, 2015-2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, charting Georgia Department of Corrections data, reported GDC prisoner deaths by calendar year as 143 in 2015, 138 in 2016, 175 in 2017, 175 in 2018, 160 in 2019, 281 in 2020, 257 in 2021, 255 in 2022, 262 in 2023, and 332 in 2024. Tags: death,medical,conditions Sources: Georgia prison homicides soar as lawmakers focus on fixes - [reported] 45% increase in inpatient admissions for illness or injuries from 2016 to 2020 Documents included in Wellpath's original 2021 contract provided by the Georgia Department of Corrections show a 45% increase in inpatient admissions for illness or injuries from 2016 to 2020 across state prisons. Tags: medical,trend,facilities Sources: Georgia prisons will soon have a new healthcare provider after contract was brought into question - [reported] Year-over-year GCHC contract changes FY2010-FY2014 The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts reported that the GCHC contract amount decreased by $4.8 million (3%) from fiscal year 2010 to 2011, decreased another $7.3 million (4%) from fiscal year 2011 to 2012, decreased by $900,000 (0.6%) from fiscal year 2012 to 2013, and increased by $500,000 (1%) from fiscal year 2013 to 2014. Tags: budget,medical Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) - [reported] GDC health service provider costs rose from $57.6M (FY2021) to $190.6M (FY2024) GDC's reported "Total cost of health service providers" performance measure rose from $57,614,021 in FY2021 to $103,541,175 in FY2022, $181,442,638 in FY2023, and $190,589,181 in FY2024. Tags: medical,budget Sources: HB 68 (FY2026) Criminal Justice and Public Safety budget, Georgia General Assembly - [reported] GDC medication costs rose from $31.5M (FY2021) to $56.0M (FY2024) GDC's reported "Cost of medications" performance measure rose from $31,487,495 in FY2021 to $37,786,696 in FY2022, $43,725,054 in FY2023, and $55,994,365 in FY2024. Tags: medical,budget,drugs Sources: HB 68 (FY2026) Criminal Justice and Public Safety budget, Georgia General Assembly - [reported] GDC total daily health cost per inmate rose from $15.26 (FY2021) to $17.22 (FY2024) GDC's reported "Total daily health cost per inmate, including physical health, mental health, dental care" rose from $15.26 in FY2021 to $15.59 in FY2022, $15.68 in FY2023, and $17.22 in FY2024. Tags: medical,budget,demographics Sources: HB 68 (FY2026) Criminal Justice and Public Safety budget, Georgia General Assembly DATA GAPS (3) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Pew data gap: Georgia health care spending categories did not sum to total Pew's state data notes state that Georgia's disaggregation of health care spending by category did not sum to the state's reported total health care expenditures. Tags: budget,medical,data_gap Sources: A report from Oct 2017 - [confirmed] 2007 DOAA: 86 of 203 files on deceased inmates could not be located DOAA's report found that an evaluator's annual report correctly states that 86 of 203 files on deceased inmates could not be located at the time of the audit. Date: 2007-01-01 Tags: death,medical,investigations,data_gap Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Care Follow-up (2007-08) - [confirmed] DOJ identified additional homicides not in GDC totals DOJ's report states it identified multiple additional homicide deaths that GDC's reported homicide totals fail to reflect. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: violence,death,investigations,operations Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) METHODOLOGY NOTES (1) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] 2014 DOAA audit did not examine quality of care The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' review of GDC's inmate health contract states that the review did not examine the quality of care provided through the contract. Date: 2014-01-01 Tags: medical,policy Sources: DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12) QUOTES (1) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Wellpath executive: low CO staffing impacted safe care The DOJ report cites a Wellpath executive's testimony in Wellpath v. Georgia that GDC's low correctional officer staffing levels materially impacted Wellpath's ability to provide care to patients in a safe manner. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: staffing,medical,legal,violence Sources: DOJ Findings Report: Investigation of Georgia Prisons (October 2024) DATASETS (19) ---------------------------------------- # GDC homicides by year, 2018-2023 (DOJ-cited mortality reports) Annual homicide counts in GDC prisons as cited in the DOJ findings report from GDC mortality reports. Year Homicides ----------------- 2018 7 2019 13 2020 28 2021 28 2022 31 2023 35 # GDC average correctional officer vacancy rates, 2021-2023 Average CO vacancy rates reported in the DOJ findings report on Georgia prisons. Year Average CO vacancy rate ------------------------------- 2021 49.3 2022 56.3 2023 52.5 # GDC health service provider and medication costs, FY2021-FY2024 GDC performance measures for total cost of health service providers and cost of medications, as reported in the FY2026 Governor's budget document. Fiscal Year Total cost of health service providers Cost of medications -------------------------------------------------------------------------- FY2021 57614021 31487495 FY2022 103541175 37786696 FY2023 181442638 43725054 FY2024 190589181 55994365 # GDC daily per-inmate health care costs by category, FY2021-FY2024 GDC-reported daily cost per inmate for physical health care, dental care, and mental health care, FY2021 through FY2024. Fiscal Year Physical Health Care Dental Care Mental Health Care -------------------------------------------------------------------- FY2021 12.63 0.61 9.81 FY2022 13.09 0.7 8.58 FY2023 13.05 0.67 7.89 FY2024 14.45 0.64 8.22 # GDC prisoner deaths by calendar year, 2015-2024 (AJC chart of GDC data) Annual count of prisoner deaths in Georgia Department of Corrections facilities by calendar year, as charted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from GDC data. Year Deaths -------------- 2015 143 2016 138 2017 175 2018 175 2019 160 2020 281 2021 257 2022 255 2023 262 2024 332 # GDC Health Program Funding FY2015–FY2018 GDC Health program total funds by fiscal year, from the FY2018 Governor's Budget Report. Fiscal Year Amount Category --------------------------------------------------- FY2015 199368523 Expenditures FY2016 207771903 Expenditures FY2017 204683131 Current Budget FY2018 260159778 Governor's Recommendation # GDC Health Program Budget FY2018-FY2021 GDC Health program total funds by fiscal year from the Governor's Budget Report for AFY2020 and FY2021. Fiscal Year Amount Budget Type ---------------------------------------- FY2018 239706639 Expenditures FY2019 251764019 Expenditures FY2020 243325228 Amended Budget # GDC Health Services Division FTE by Fiscal Year End-of-fiscal-year full-time-equivalent employee count for the Health Services Division. Fiscal Year FTE ------------------ FY20 26 FY21 24 FY22 24 # GDC Health Program Appropriations by Fiscal Year (FY2014-FY2025) Health program budget figures from GDC annual fiscal reports, showing growth from $188.9M in FY2014 to $405.1M in FY2025. Fiscal Year Health Budget Percent of Total Budget ----------------------------------------------------- FY2014 188966904 15.81 FY2017 249289549 FY2018 238206280 FY2020 233066277 FY2021 251946510 FY2023 260284197 FY2025 405134602 22 # GDC year-end prison population, selected years 2019-2023 Year-end counts of inmates in the Georgia prison system as reported by GDC. Year Population ------------------ 2019 53943 2020 46132 2022 47382 2023 49387 # Georgia state prisoner deaths by calendar year, 2015-2019 (BJS) Annual count of deaths of Georgia state prisoners by calendar year from the Bureau of Justice Statistics Mortality in State and Federal Prisons statistical tables. Year Deaths -------------- 2015 131 2016 133 2017 173 2018 163 2019 157 # GDC posted homicide notices by year, 2017-2020 (Augusta Press) Annual homicide notices posted by the Georgia prison system as reported by The Augusta Press. Year Homicides ----------------- 2017 7 2018 7 2019 12 2020 17 # GDC total daily health cost per inmate, FY2021-FY2024 GDC performance measure for total daily health cost per inmate including physical health, mental health, and dental care. Fiscal Year Daily health cost per inmate ------------------------------------------- FY2021 15.26 FY2022 15.59 FY2023 15.68 FY2024 17.22 # Pew/Vera inflation-adjusted per-inmate health care spending, Georgia vs. 48-state median, FY2010-FY2015 Inflation-adjusted per-inmate health care spending for Georgia and the 48-state median, FY2010 through FY2015, from Pew/Vera Table C.3. Fiscal Year Georgia 48-State Median --------------------------------------- FY2010 3871 5563 FY2011 3899 5521 FY2012 3683 5484 FY2013 3543 5456 FY2014 3676 5420 FY2015 3610 5680 # GDC Offender Pharmacy Expenses FY22-FY24 Pharmacy expense line items including prescription/OTC, HIV, Hepatitis-C, and non-medication costs. Category FY22 Expenses FY23 Expenses FY24 Expenses ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prescription & OTC Medications 25929529 24722358 24678892 340B HIV Medications 13677216 9438684 0 Non-340B HIV Medications 4318905 10574604 17417679.38 Hepatitis-C Medications 256366.2 4084992 8317626.4 Non-Medication Costs 4357485.96 4668556.22 5580167.22 Subtotal 47902502.16 53489194.22 55994365 # Pew State Prison Health Care Spending: Georgia 2007-2011 Georgia total correctional health care spending, per-inmate spending, and average daily prison population from Pew's Table C.1, C.2, and C.3. Year Total Health Care Spending Per-Inmate Spending Average Daily Population --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2007 206094 3826 53864 2008 229106 4194 54629 2009 215069 3927 54767 2010 207282 3860 53704 2011 208103 4018 51794 # Georgia state prisoner deaths by cause, cumulative (BJS Table 16) Cumulative deaths of Georgia state prisoners by cause category from BJS Mortality in State and Federal Prisons Table 16. Cause categories sum to 2,340 versus the reported all-causes total of 2,369. Cause Deaths ----------------------------------- All causes 2369 Heart disease 780 Cancer 597 Liver disease 125 AIDS-related 83 Respiratory disease 187 All other illnesses 300 Suicide 145 Drug/alcohol intoxication 12 Accident 22 Homicide 89 # GCHC staffing by category Staffing counts provided by GCHC for physical health care, mental health nursing, dental, and other categories, as reported in the 2014 DOAA special examination. Staff category Count -------------------------------------- Physical health care services 682 Mental health nurses 95 Dental staff 4 Other 211 # GDC Inmate Healthcare Costs: FY2007 and FY2014 Direct care expenditures, budget, and inmate counts from GDC FY2014 Annual Report 'Inmate Healthcare Costs' table. Fiscal Year Direct Care (Expenditures) Budget Inmates ------------------------------------------------------------- 2007 61.5 195177486 53863 2014 49.4 202249867 50830 KEY ENTITIES (151) ---------------------------------------- - Agnes Bohannon [person]: Prisoner who died at Lee Arrendale State Prison in September 2019 from cardiovascular disease after days of cardiac and respiratory distress. $1.5M settlement. - Alan Watson [person]: Chief of Staff at the Georgia Department of Corrections. - Ali Tanner [person]: Inmate, 45, murdered inside ASMP in July 2021, stabbed in the side of the neck while walking outside. (aka: Tanner) - Alison Ganem [person]: Attorney at the Southern Center for Human Rights and signatory of the VSP letter. - Alliant [organization]: Partner providing pre-authorization services for medical consults aligned with Georgia Medicaid, starting April 2020. - American Correctional Association [organization]: One of three national bodies offering voluntary accreditation to correctional facilities (aka: ACA) - American Correctional Association (ACA) [organization]: Professional organization that accredits correctional facilities and programs. Has re-accredited the Board's Field Operations Division. (aka: ACA) - Amos Huff [person]: ASMP inmate who died in an apparent homicide at the prison on March 30, 2023. - Ashley Diamond [person]: Transgender woman sexually assaulted 16 times in Georgia men's prisons. Her case contributed to the legal challenge against SB 185. - Ashley Diamond v. Owens [case]: SPLC lawsuit over denial of medically necessary transgender health care and hormone therapy in a Georgia men's prison; settled in 2016. - Atlanta Journal-Constitution [organization]: Georgia newspaper that conducted multi-year investigation into GDC corruption, drug trafficking, and overdose deaths. (aka: AJC) - Augusta State Medical Prison [facility]: Georgia state medical prison visited by DOJ during 2022-2023 investigation (aka: Augusta State Medical) - Augusta Transitional Center [facility]: GDC transitional center; source of a 2024 promotion to Hancock State Prison. (aka: Augusta TC) - Augusta University [organization]: Georgia university whose division, Georgia Correctional HealthCare, provided prison medical services from 1998-2021 - Bacon State Prison [facility]: GDC facility that received initial national ACA accreditation certification per February 2023 Board of Corrections minutes. - Benjamin v. Oliver [case]: Federal lawsuit challenging SB 185's prohibitions on hormone therapy; district court granted permanent injunction and class certification on 12/3/2025. (aka: Isis Benjamin v. Commissioner, Georgia Department of Corrections) - Betty Wade [person]: Appellant in Wade v. McDade whose judgment was affirmed by the Eleventh Circuit. - Board of Corrections [organization]: Governing board overseeing the Georgia Department of Corrections, chaired by Larry Haynie. - Bondurant Mixson & Elmore LLP [organization]: Law firm co-counsel in the trans medical care class action. - Bonnie Rocheleau [person]: Deceased prisoner whose case resulted in a $925,000 settlement related to Dr. Nazaire's medical negligence. - Brandon Peters [person]: Prisoner who died in his cell at Georgia State Prison in November 2020 after days of severe belly pain, fever and bowel problems; $750,000 settlement in 2023. - Bruce Smith [person]: 56-year-old disabled inmate allegedly struck by a certified nursing assistant at Augusta State Medical Prison on Feb. 14. - Brynn Wilson [person]: Named plaintiff in Benjamin v. Oliver. - 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) - Cameron Maddox [person]: Plaintiff in civil rights lawsuit over conditions at Augusta State Medical Prison; judge found his suffering was not 'routine'. - Case 5:15-cv-00041-MTT [case]: Civil rights class action challenging conditions of confinement in GDC's Special Management Unit; consent decree since 2019; contempt order issued April 2024. (aka: GDC SMU consent decree litigation) - Centene Corporation [organization]: Parent corporation of Centurion, a managed care company - Center for Constitutional Rights [organization]: Co-plaintiff with Martha Wright in the original 2000 lawsuit against Corrections Corporation of America over prison phone rates. (aka: CCR) - Centurion [organization]: Current GDC physical healthcare contractor, replacing Wellpath - Centurion Equity, Inc. [organization]: Ultimate parent company of Centurion of Georgia, LLC. - Centurion Health [organization]: Healthcare company that assumed a $2.4 billion 9-year no-bid contract to provide Georgia prison healthcare in July 2024. - Coastal State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison visited by DOJ during 2022-2023 investigation (aka: Coastal) - Columbia County Sheriff's Office [organization]: Law enforcement agency that arrested Officer Jebkely in the ASMP contraband case. - Commissioner Oliver [person]: Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner who testified to legislators about salary increases and stated that 'trying to hire 2,600 people in a fiscal year is just not possible.' - Correct Rx [organization]: Pharmacy vendor referenced in GDC's November 2021 Healthcare Transition Update. (aka: Pharmacy-Correct Rx) - CorrectRX [organization]: Current holder of GDC pharmacy contract - Daniel Farmer [person]: ASMP officer criminally charged in October 2022 with helping assault an inmate. - David Henegar [person]: Georgia prisoner who suffered epileptic seizures after medication was withheld at Walker State Prison; plaintiff in Wade v. McDade. - Department of Audits and Accounts (DOAA) [organization]: Georgia state audit agency that produced the 2007 Special Examination of GDC health care and mortality review practices. (aka: DOAA, State Auditor) - Doe v. Georgia Department of Corrections [case]: Federal litigation over gender-affirming care for a transgender woman incarcerated in Georgia; preliminary injunction granted in part April 17, 2024, and appeal dismissed as moot March 6, 2025. (aka: Jane Doe v. Georgia Department of Corrections) - DOJ [organization]: Federal agency that investigated Georgia prisons and found 8th Amendment violations in October 2024. (aka: Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice) - DOJ investigation of Georgia prisons [operation]: U.S. Department of Justice investigation finding unconstitutional conditions in 17 Georgia prisons, including Dooly State Prison. (aka: DOJ findings October 2024) - Dr. Sharon Lewis [person]: GDC Statewide Medical Director. Named defendant in both Sullivan federal cases. (aka: Sharon Lewis) - Dr. Taylor [person]: Physician at Augusta State Medical Prison quoted by Prison Legal News on staffing shortages. - Dynamic Mobile Dentistry [organization]: Dental provider dismissed as defendant in Whittle v. Southern Correctional Medicine. (aka: DMD) - Edwards v. Augusta State Medical Prison [case]: 42 U.S.C. § 1983 prisoner civil-rights case dismissed without prejudice on May 12, 2025. - Eugene Griggs [person]: Plaintiff in civil rights lawsuit over conditions at Augusta State Medical Prison. - Fantasia Horton [person]: Named plaintiff in Benjamin v. Oliver. - Fulton County Superior Court [organization]: Court where Wellpath filed its lawsuit against GDC and others. - Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 125-4-4-.01 [legislation]: Georgia Board of Corrections rule on medical services responsibilities. (aka: Rule 125-4-4-.01) - GDC Office of Health Services [organization]: GDC office responsible for negotiating and managing contracts with external health care providers. - GDC RFP ES-RFP-46700-415 [program]: GDC procurement to establish a contract for Mental Health Services and/or Dental Services for Offenders. - GDC SOP 507.01.01 [legislation]: GDC standard operating procedure stating needed care is not denied for lack of funds. (aka: Philosophy and Right to Treatment) - GDC SOP 507.01.11 [organization]: GDC standard operating procedure requiring Medical Association of Georgia (NCCHC-aligned) and ACA accreditation of all state and private prisons. (aka: Standards and Accreditation) - GDC SOP 507.02.02 [organization]: GDC standard operating procedure on health record confidentiality and release of information. (aka: Confidentiality of the Health Record and Release of Information) - GDC SOP 507.03.03 [organization]: GDC standard operating procedure on health care staffing proposals and standards. (aka: Staffing Levels) - GDC SOP 507.04.03 [organization]: GDC standard operating procedure on health care complaint investigation and reply timelines and record retention. (aka: Offender Health Concerns and Complaints) - GDC SOP 507.04.05 [legislation]: GDC standard operating procedure governing medical copays, effective 02/02/2022. (aka: Charges to Offender Accounts for Health Care Provided) - GDC SOP 507.04.27 [legislation]: GDC standard operating procedure governing sick call access and triage, effective 1/27/2022. (aka: Sick Call) - GDC SOP 507.04.67 [organization]: GDC standard operating procedure governing offender death notification and mortality review. (aka: Offender Death and Mortality Reviews) - GDC SOP 508.16 [legislation]: GDC Standard Operating Procedure governing mental health/mental retardation level of care classification (MH-I through MH-V). (aka: MH/MR Level of Care SOP) - GEO Group [organization]: Private prison company that owns and operates select prison facilities in Georgia under contract with GDC. (aka: GEO Group, Inc.) - Georgia Board of Corrections [organization]: Governing board that issues rules for Georgia prison operations, including Rule 125-4-2-.08 (Library) and Rule 125-2-4-.17 - Georgia Bureau of Investigation [organization]: Georgia state law enforcement agency that conducts some criminal investigations involving the prisons (aka: GBI) - Georgia Correctional HealthCare [organization]: Division of Augusta University that provided medical services to GDC from 1998 to 2021 under approximately $190 million annual contract (aka: GCHC) - Georgia Correctional HealthCare (GCHC) [organization]: Division of Georgia Regents University that contracted with GDC to provide medical care to the offender population (per FY2016 annual report). (aka: GCHC) - Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts [organization]: State agency the committee recommended review all GDC contract renewals for the past five years. (aka: Georgia Department of Audits) - 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 Diagnostic and Classification Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison from which David 'Toro' Zavala operated drug trafficking while serving time for armed robbery. - Georgia Regents University [organization]: University that contracted with GDC since 1997 to provide physical healthcare services to inmates; created Georgia Correctional HealthCare unit. (aka: GRU, Medical College of Georgia) - Georgia Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety [organization]: Legislative subcommittee before which GDC Commissioner Oliver testified on healthcare funding. (aka: Senate Appropriations subcommittee) - Georgia Senate Supporting Safety and Welfare of All Individuals in Department of Corrections Study Committee [legislation]: Legislative study committee that issued recommendations on mental health services and contract audits. (aka: 2024 Senate Study Committee on DOC) - Georgia State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison where Chad Ashley Allen, serving a life sentence for murder, operated drug trafficking enterprise with Ghost Face Gangsters. - Governor's Office of Planning and Budget [organization]: Georgia agency responsible for developing the Governor's Budget Report (aka: OPB) - Gumm v. Jacobs [case]: Federal class action lawsuit challenging conditions in Georgia's Special Management Unit. Filed pro se by Timothy Gumm in 2015. Settlement reached January 2019. 100-page contempt order issued April 2024 finding GDC 'flagrantly violated' the settlement. Filed in U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia. - Gumm v. Sellers [case]: Case challenging solitary confinement in Georgia's Special Management Unit, settled with GDC. - Hancock State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison where THC gummies, white powdery substances, and marijuana were recovered in January 2024. - Harris v. Georgia Department of Corrections [case]: Federal case against GDC pending as of latest docket entries, with settlement conferences through June 2025 and no terminating order. (aka: Harris v. GDC) - HB 68 (FY 2026G) [legislation]: Georgia FY2026 budget document containing GDC Health program appropriations and performance measures. (aka: FY2026 Governor's budget - Criminal Justice and Public Safety) - Isis Benjamin [person]: Named plaintiff in Benjamin v. Oliver. - Isis Benjamin v. Commissioner, Georgia Department of Corrections [case]: Eleventh Circuit appeal with GDC Commissioner, Statewide Medical Director and Assistant Commissioner as appellants; oral argument held August 17, 2026. - Jacobi Chomicki [person]: 23-year-old inmate who died at Augusta State Medical Prison on May 22; cause of death undetermined. - Janette Shields [person]: 67-year-old nursing assistant from Augusta arrested Feb. 24 on charges of simple battery and exploitation of an elderly or disabled person at Augusta State Medical Prison. - Jenna Mitchell [person]: Transgender woman who died by suicide in solitary confinement at Valdosta State Prison on December 6, 2017, allegedly after being taunted by an officer. $2.2M settlement. - Jerry Lackey [person]: Inmate at Augusta State Medical Prison who died by suicide in the mental health unit on April 8, 2020, at age 39. - Jerry Merritt [person]: Inmate stabbed to death at Augusta State Medical Prison on January 20, 2026. - Jim Barnaby [person]: Deputy commissioner of the Georgia Department of Administrative Services, named as a respondent in Wellpath's lawsuit. - Jimmy Lucero [person]: 19-year-old prisoner who starved to death at Augusta State Medical Prison in 2015; estate received a $550,000 settlement in 2019. - John Jaquis Trimier [person]: Charged with murder in the stabbing death of Jerry Merritt at ASMP. - Johnson v. Lewis [case]: Prisoner civil rights suit by Ricky J. Johnson; process issued June 20, 2017 for Sharon Lewis, Homer Bryson, Mohammad, Chaudray, Ferrell, Turner, Johnson, John Doe (Wilcox State Prison), John Doe (Hays State Prison), and Kevin Marler. (aka: JOHNSON v. LEWIS) - Kevin Marler [person]: Prison doctor named in Johnson v. Lewis hepatitis C litigation. (aka: Dr. Kevin Marler) - Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton [organization]: Law firm co-counsel in Gumm v. Sellers. - Kirkland & Ellis LLP [organization]: Law firm providing pro bono representation to Ricky Johnson. - Lee Arrendale State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison where drug-coated paper was found being passed in November 2025. - Lee State Prison [facility]: Cycle 3 reports 16 cells with 32 beds. - Lowndes County Coroner [organization]: County coroner's office that determined the youngest VSP decedent was found two days after death and conducted the Benham autopsy. - Macon State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison visited by DOJ during 2022-2023 investigation (aka: Macon) - Marcus Phillips [person]: Former ASMP correctional officer federally indicted for deliberate indifference in an inmate's death; later acquitted. - Marlah Mardis [person]: State defendant in Benjamin v. Oliver. (aka: Dr. Marlah Mardis) - Mary Rankin [person]: Former health services administrator at Phillips State Prison who resigned in October 2022 citing inadequate security coverage for the medical department. - Medical Association of Georgia [organization]: Organization that accredits GDC private prisons alongside the ACA as required by contract. (aka: MAG) - Mental and Dental Services for Offenders RFP (ES-RFP-46700-415) [program]: GDC procurement event listed on the Georgia Procurement Registry with status 'Awarded,' fiscal year 2018. (aka: ES-RFP-46700-415) - MHM Services, Inc. [organization]: Parent company of Centurion of Georgia, LLC. - MHM-Centurion [organization]: Private contractor providing mental health and dental services to GDC under a 10-year, $40 million contract starting FY2020. (aka: Centurion, MHM-Centurion) - Michael Tarver [person]: Diabetic inmate serving a life sentence for murder who lost his left leg and settled a lawsuit against the state for $550,000. - Mollianne Fischer [person]: Deceased prisoner whose case resulted in a $1.5 million settlement related to Dr. Nazaire's medical negligence. - MyWoundDoc [organization]: Provider of wound care clinic services at Augusta State Medical Prison. - Naeomi Madison [person]: Named plaintiff in Benjamin v. Oliver. - National Commission on Correctional Health Care [organization]: One of three national bodies offering voluntary accreditation to correctional facilities; develops correctional healthcare standards (aka: NCCHC) - National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) [organization]: Health care standards body referenced in GDC SOP 507.01.11 and Riverbend accreditation history. (aka: NCCHC) - O.C.G.A. § 42-4-71 [legislation]: Statute governing county detention facilities; caps inmate medical co-pay at $5 per occurrence and bars fees at balances of $10 or less. (aka: Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 42-4-71) - O.C.G.A. § 42-5-55 [legislation]: Statute authorizing deductions from inmate accounts for inmate-initiated medical treatment, exempting chronic-illness medications and barring deductions at balances of $10 or less. (aka: Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 42-5-55) - Office of Health Services (GDC) [organization]: GDC office responsible for health services oversight, including mortality reviews and complaint handling under SOPs. (aka: OHS) - Oliver v. Centurion of Georgia, L.L.C. [case]: Case dismissed April 16, 2025 on motion to dismiss, with judgment in favor of GDC and Tyrone Oliver. - Patton State Prison [facility]: GDC facility that received initial national ACA accreditation certification per February 2023 Board of Corrections minutes. (aka: Patton PDC) - Pearson v. Augusta State Medical Prison [case]: 28 U.S.C. § 2241 habeas petition dismissed without prejudice on August 7, 2025 in the Southern District of Georgia. - Pew Charitable Trusts [organization]: Nonpartisan research organization; co-authored Prison Health Care Costs and Quality report with Vera Institute - Phillips State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison visited by DOJ during 2022-2023 investigation (aka: Phillips) - Pulaski State Prison [facility]: Georgia women's state prison where Christina Buttery died on December 21, 2022, from a methamphetamine and fentanyl overdose. - Randy Sauls [person]: Assistant Commissioner of Health Services, Georgia Department of Corrections - Rendevor [organization]: Provider of dialysis unit services at Augusta State Medical Prison. - Ricky J. Johnson [person]: Georgia inmate with Hepatitis C who sued GDC medical officials; won $20,000 against Dr. Sharon Lewis. - Riverbend Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility [facility]: GEO Group-operated facility for GDC; ACA reaccredited 2022 at 99.77%; NCCHC accredited 2013 and 2015. (aka: Riverbend) - Robert Roberson [person]: Former ASMP correctional officer federally indicted for deliberate indifference in an inmate's death; later acquitted. - Roderick Hayes [person]: Inmate at Augusta State Medical Prison killed in an incident; a correctional officer and two inmates were charged. - SB 185 [legislation]: 2025 Georgia legislation banning transgender prisoner care, led by Burt Jones - SB185 [legislation]: Georgia law banning medical treatment for gender dysphoria for people in GDC custody, challenged in federal class action filed Aug. 8, 2025. - Senate Study Committee on Corrections [organization]: Georgia Senate study committee that issued a 2024 final report on corrections including healthcare recommendations. (aka: 2024 Senate Study Committee) - Southern Center for Human Rights [organization]: Legal advocacy organization that investigated food conditions at Gordon County Jail and sent a formal letter to Sheriff Mitch Ralston in October 2014. (aka: SCHR) - Southern Correctional Medicine [organization]: Correctional healthcare provider and defendant in Whittle v. Southern Correctional Medicine. (aka: Genesys Healthcare Alliance, LLC, Genesys) - Special Management Unit [facility]: Georgia's primary long-term solitary confinement unit, located at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson. Subject of Gumm v. Jacobs litigation and described by experts as 'one of the harshest and most draconian' in the nation. (aka: SMU) - State Board of Corrections [organization]: Georgia board to which the GDC Commissioner reports, along with the Governor - Ted Philbin [person]: Warden at Augusta State Medical Prison effective December 1, 2017. - Thomas Ferrell [person]: Prison doctor named in Johnson v. Lewis hepatitis C litigation. (aka: Dr. Thomas Ferrell) - Thomas Henry Giles [person]: Mentally ill prisoner who died of smoke inhalation/carbon monoxide (homicide ruling) at Augusta State Medical Prison on October 28, 2020 after guards watched him burn. $5M settlement — largest in GDC history. - Thomas M. Fitzgerald [person]: Prisoner who died in December 1999 while strapped to a bed in an isolated cell; his family received a $1.2 million settlement in 2016. - Timothy Gumm [person]: Prisoner serving a life sentence for rape who filed the pro se lawsuit (Gumm v. Jacobs) challenging SMU conditions in 2015 after 5 years in isolation. Held in SMU for 7.5 years despite 14 transfer recommendations. Placed in SMU following a failed escape attempt in 2010. - Timothy Young [person]: Physician and whistleblower who sued over unsanitary conditions at ASMP; settled for $300,000. (aka: Dr. Timothy Young) - Tyrone Oliver [person]: Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections who in March 2024 stopped including preliminary cause of death in monthly mortality reports. (aka: Commissioner Oliver, GDC Commissioner) - U.S. Department of Justice [organization]: Federal agency that published October 2024 findings report on unconstitutional conditions in Georgia prisons. (aka: DOJ) - Vera Institute of Justice [organization]: Research organization focused on criminal justice; published Health Care Behind Bars report (2025) (aka: Vera Institute, Vera) - Victor Walker [person]: Interim Warden at Augusta State Medical Prison effective July 1, 2023. - Victoria M. Calvert [person]: Judge who signed the 12/3/2025 order in Benjamin v. Oliver. (aka: Judge Victoria M. Calvert) - Wade v. McDade [case]: En banc Eleventh Circuit decision (July 2024) that fundamentally redefined deliberate indifference, requiring plaintiff to prove official was subjectively aware that his OWN conduct put plaintiff at substantial risk. Makes Georgia Eighth Amendment claims significantly harder. (aka: 106 F.4th 1251 (11th Cir. 2024)) - 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. - Wellpath [organization]: Largest private correctional healthcare company with $2.7 billion annual revenue; filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2024 (aka: Correct Care Solutions) - Wellpath v. GDC [case]: Lawsuit filed May 7 in Fulton County Superior Court by Wellpath against GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver, DOAS deputy commissioner Jim Barnaby, and Centurion of Georgia, alleging the $2.4 billion Centurion contract was awarded without the competitive process required by state law. (aka: Wellpath lawsuit) - Wellpath, LLC v. State of Georgia [case]: Georgia Court of Appeals case in which Wellpath withdrew its appeal on October 29, 2024. (aka: A25A0483) - Whittle v. Southern Correctional Medicine [case]: Civil action alleging medical deliberate indifference; Dynamic Mobile Dentistry dismissed, summary judgment granted to Genesys and DMD. - Whitworth State Prison [facility]: GDC facility that received ACA reaccreditation per February 2023 Board of Corrections minutes. - Wilcox State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison visited by DOJ during 2022-2023 investigation (aka: Wilcox) SOURCES (118) ---------------------------------------- - $5 Million Settlement in Death of Georgia Prisoner Left by Guards in Cell on Fire, Prison Legal News (2024-06-01) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2024/jun/1/5-million-settlement-death-georgia-prisoner-left-guards-cell-fire/ - $550,000 Settlement in Georgia Prisoner’s Starvation Death, Prison Legal News (2020-09-01) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2020/sep/1/550000-settlement-georgia-prisoners-starvation-death/ - 1994 annual report, Georgia Department of Corrections (1994-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:dlg_ggpd_y-ga-br300-b-pa1-b1994 - 2 inmates killed at local prisons amid flare-up in violence, man faces murder charge death augusta state medical prison inmate, WRDW/WAGT (2026-02-13) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.wrdw.com/2026/02/13/man-faces-murder-charge-death-augusta-state-medical-prison-inmate/ - 2O22 (gdc.georgia.gov), Georgia Department of Corrections (2022-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/gdc-annual-fiscal-report/gdc-annual-fiscal-report-2022/download - A report from Oct 2017, Pew Charitable Trusts / Vera Institute of Justice (2017-10-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.pew.org/-/media/assets/2017/10/sfh_prison_health_care_costs_and_quality_final.pdf - A report from The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation July 2014, The Pew Charitable Trusts (2014-07-01) [academic, secondary] URL: https://www.pew.org/-/media/assets/2014/07/stateprisonhealthcarespendingreport.pdf - Accreditation FAQs | National Commission on Correctional Health Care, National Commission on Correctional Health Care [official_report, primary] URL: https://ncchc.org/accreditation/accreditation-faqs/ - AJC, Georgia prison medical provider extra costs due to violence, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (2024-01-01) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.ajc.com/news/investigations/georgia-prison-medical-provider-cites-millions-in-extra-costs-due-to-violence/RZH5DDKJ75HJJALOSWP5A3GUXA/ - AJC: Valdosta prison — Southern Center for Human Rights report, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (2026-10-19) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/10/valdosta-prison-southern-center-for-human-rights-report/ - Associates Help Ga. Prisoner Beat The Odds In Court | News | Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Kirkland & Ellis LLP (2024-03-01) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.kirkland.com/news/in-the-news/2024/03/associates-help-ga-prisoner-beat-the-odds-in-court - Augusta State Medical Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia Department of Corrections [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/locations/augusta-state-med-prison - Benjamin v. Oliver, 2025-12-03 (court record via CourtListener), CourtListener (2025-12-03) [legal_document, primary] URL: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71063207/ - Betty Wade v. Georgia Correctional Health, LLC, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2024-12-23 (court record via CourtListener), CourtListener (2024-12-23) [legal_document, primary] URL: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/66636884/ - Biennial report 1982-1983, Georgia Board of Corrections (1983-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:dlg_ggpd_y-ga-br300-b-pa1-b1982-h83 - Board Meeting Minutes November 2021, Georgia Department of Corrections / Board of Corrections (2021-11-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/board-meeting-minutes/board-meeting-minutes-november-2021/download - Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes april 30 2025, Georgia Department of Corrections (2025-04-30) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/board-meeting-minutes/board-meeting-minutes-april-30-2025/download - Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes february 2023, Georgia Department of Corrections (2023-02-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/board-meeting-minutes/board-meeting-minutes-february-2023/download - Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes january 2023, Georgia Department of Corrections (2023-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/board-meeting-minutes/board-meeting-minutes-january-2023/download - Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes march 2022, Georgia Department of Corrections (2022-03-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/board-meeting-minutes/board-meeting-minutes-march-2022/download - Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes october 2021, Georgia Department of Corrections (2021-10-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/board-meeting-minutes/board-meeting-minutes-october-2021/download - Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes september 2021, Georgia Board of Corrections (2021-09-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/board-meeting-minutes/board-meeting-minutes-september-2021/download - Board of Corrections, board meeting minutes september 2024, Georgia Department of Corrections (2024-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/board-meeting-minutes/board-meeting-minutes-september-2024/download - Case 5:15-cv-00041-MTT Document 485 Filed 04/23/24 Page 1 of 100, GovInfo (2024-04-23) [legal_document, primary] URL: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-gamd-5_15-cv-00041/pdf/USCOURTS-gamd-5_15-cv-00041-19.pdf - cdn.thegeorgiavirtue.com: 2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport, Georgia Senate Study Committee on Corrections (2024-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://cdn.thegeorgiavirtue.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2024SenateStudyCommDOCFinalReport.pdf - Centene Subsidiary Re-Awarded Correctional Mental and Dental Healthcare Contract in Georgia, Centene Corporation, August 2, 2019, Centene Corporation / PRNewswire (2019-08-02) [press_release, primary] URL: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/centene-subsidiary-re-awarded-correctional-mental-and-dental-healthcare-contract-in-georgia-300895431.html - David M. Reutter, "Settlement in Class-Action Suit Over SMU Conditions at Georgia Prison," Prison Legal News, September 9, 2019, Prison Legal News by David M. Reutter (2019-09-09) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2019/sep/9/settlement-class-action-suit-over-smu-conditions-georgia-prison/ - DOAA Inmate Health Care Follow-up (2007-08), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2007-08-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/6961 - DOAA Inmate Health Care Program Evaluation (2004-10), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2004-10-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/8163 - DOAA Inmate Health Contract Audit (2014-12), Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts by Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (2014-12-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://www.audits.ga.gov/ReportSearch/download/17503 - Doctor: Healthcare at Augusta State Medical Prison hindered by widespread, systematic problems, WJBF (2023-01-01) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20230829141428id_/https://www.wjbf.com/news/doctor-healthcare-at-augusta-state-medical-prison-hindered-by-widespread-systematic-problems/ - Doe v. Georgia Department, 2024-04-17 (court record via CourtListener), CourtListener (2024-04-17) [legal_document, primary] URL: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68067305/ - 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 - DOJ Investigation of Georgia Prisons, Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse, Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse [data_portal, secondary] URL: https://clearinghouse.net/case/18216/ - Edwards v. Augusta State Medical Prison, 2025-05-12 (court record via CourtListener), CourtListener (2025-05-12) [legal_document, primary] URL: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69904455/ - Eleventh Circuit Announces New Deliberate Indifference, Prison Legal News (2025-07-15) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2025/jul/15/eleventh-circuit-announces-new-deliberate-indifference-framework-dismissing-georgia-prisoners-claim-skipped-anti-seizure-meds/ - Expanded Dialysis Center Opens at Augusta State Medical Prison | Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia Department of Corrections (2023-03-20) [press_release, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/press-releases/2023-03-20/expanded-dialysis-center-opens-augusta-state-medical-prison - Family gets $2.2 million settlement for death of Georgia inmate, calls for criminal investigation | News | rockdalenewtoncitizen.com, Rockdale Newton Citizen (2021-01-01) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20211207050842id_/https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/news/family-gets-2-2-million-settlement-for-death-of-georgia-inmate-calls-for-criminal-investigation/article_59640b59-af04-56c2-ae80-e47189b2550a.html - Former Augusta State Medical Prison guards acquitted in inmate death, WRDW (2026-06-03) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.wrdw.com/2026/06/03/former-augusta-state-medical-prison-guards-acquitted-inmate-death/ - Former Augusta State Medical Prison guards acquitted in inmate death, former augusta state medical prison guard acquitted inmate death, WRDW (2026-01-01) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.wrdw.com/2026/06/03/former-augusta-state-medical-prison-guard-acquitted-inmate-death/ - FY23 Annual Report, Georgia Department of Corrections (2023-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/gdc-annual-fiscal-report/gdc-annual-fiscal-report-2023/download - FY24 Annual Report, Georgia Department of Corrections (2024-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/gdc-annual-fiscal-report/gdc-annual-fiscal-report-2024/download - FY25 (gdc.georgia.gov), Georgia Department of Corrections (2025-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/gdc-annual-fiscal-report/gdc-annual-fiscal-report-2025/download - Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 125-4-4-.01, Responsibility (Georgia Board of Corrections rule; passage checked against GPS's copy of the rule), Georgia Secretary of State (2026-01-01) [legal_document, primary] URL: https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/125-4-4-.01 - Ga. prison medical provider cites millions in extra costs due to violence, Corrections1 [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.corrections1.com/correctional-healthcare/ga-prison-medical-provider-cites-millions-in-extra-costs-due-to-violence - GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2014, Georgia Department of Corrections (2014-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/gdc-annual-fiscal-report/gdc-annual-fiscal-report-2014/download - GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2017, Georgia Department of Corrections (2017-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/gdc-annual-fiscal-report/gdc-annual-fiscal-report-2017/download - GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2018, Georgia Department of Corrections (2018-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/gdc-annual-fiscal-report/gdc-annual-fiscal-report-2018/download - GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2019, Georgia Department of Corrections (2019-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/gdc-annual-fiscal-report/gdc-annual-fiscal-report-2019/download - GDC Annual Fiscal Report 2020, Georgia Department of Corrections (2020-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/gdc-annual-fiscal-report/gdc-annual-fiscal-report-2020/download - GDC press release, 'GDC Awarded ACA Accreditation,' January 9, 2018, Georgia Department of Corrections by GDC (2018-01-09) [press_release, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/press-releases/2018-01-09/gdc-awarded-aca-accreditation - gdc.georgia.gov: gdc annual fiscal report 2016, Georgia Department of Corrections (2016-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/gdc-annual-fiscal-report/gdc-annual-fiscal-report-2016/download - gdc.georgia.gov: gdc annual fiscal report 2021, Georgia Department of Corrections (2021-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://gdc.georgia.gov/document/gdc-annual-fiscal-report/gdc-annual-fiscal-report-2021/download - Georgia Corrections Awards Behavioral & Dental Contract To Incumbent Centene - OPEN MINDS, OPEN MINDS (2019-08-01) [journalism, secondary] URL: https://openminds.com/market-intelligence/news/georgia-corrections-department-awards-behavioral-dental-contract-to-incumbent-centene/ - Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.01.01, Philosophy and Right to Treatment (passage checked against GPS's copy), Georgia Department of Corrections [official_report, primary] URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106301 - Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.01.11, Standards and Accreditation (passage checked against GPS's copy), Georgia Department of Corrections (2026-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106311 - Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.02.02, Confidentiality of the Health Record and Release of Information (passage checked against GPS's copy), Georgia Department of Corrections (2026-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106433 - Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.03.03, Staffing Levels (passage checked against GPS's copy), Georgia Department of Corrections (2026-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106437 - Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.03, Offender Health Concerns and Complaints (passage checked against GPS's copy), Georgia Department of Corrections (2026-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106330 - Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.05, Charges to Offender Accounts for Health Care Provided (passage checked against GPS's copy), Georgia Department of Corrections (2022-02-02) [official_report, primary] URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106332 - Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.27, Sick Call (passage checked against GPS's copy), Georgia Department of Corrections (2022-01-27) [official_report, primary] URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106363 - Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.28, Chronic Care (passage checked against GPS's copy), Georgia Department of Corrections [official_report, primary] URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106364 - Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.37, Urgent and Emergent Care Services (passage checked against GPS's copy), Georgia Department of Corrections (2023-11-29) [official_report, primary] URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106373 - Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 507.04.67, Offender Death and Mortality Reviews (passage checked against GPS's copy), Georgia Department of Corrections [official_report, primary] URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106404 - Georgia Department of Corrections SOP 508.16, Mental Health Levels of Care (passage checked against GPS's copy), Georgia Department of Corrections [official_report, primary] URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106278 - Georgia prison homicides soar as lawmakers focus on fixes, Atlanta Journal-Constitution [journalism, secondary] URL: https://www.ajc.com/news/prison-homicides-soar-as-georgia-legislators-focus-on-fixes/4TFY2WPMLRC4ZC3OGJQ42DZRTQ/ - Georgia Prisoners Reach Settlement to Reform One of the “Harshest and Most Draconian” Solitary Confinement Units in the Nation – Southern Center for Human Rights, Southern Center for Human Rights (2025-01-01) [official_report, primary] URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20251009160146id_/https://www.schr.org/georgia-prisoners-reach-settlement-to-reform-one-of-the-harshest-and-most-draconian-solitary-confinement-units-in-the-nation/ - 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Johnson v. 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