# GPS Research Library > Independent Research GPS Research Library In-depth research on every major issue inside Georgia's prison system — written in plain language for families, advocates, and anyone who wants to und… **Published**: 2026-02-22 **Source**: https://gps.press/research-library/ **Author**: TellMyStory --- Independent Research # GPS Research Library In-depth research on every major issue inside Georgia's prison system — written in plain language for families, advocates, and anyone who wants to understand what's happening behind the walls. [Browse Research Topics](/research-library/topics/) ## Start Here: Research Topics New to the Research Library? **Topic pages** are the best place to start. Each one synthesizes findings from dozens of collections into a single, readable overview — covering healthcare, mortality, staffing, violence, solitary confinement, and 15 more issues. Click into any topic to get the full picture, then use the "Learn More" buttons to dig deeper into specific subjects. [Browse All Topics →](/research-library/topics/) 20 topics covering 5,577 data points [🤖 ### Ask Lighthouse AI Get specific information about any aspect of our research, statistics, or prison conditions — sourced and cited in seconds.](/ask-ai/) [📚 ### Use Our Data All GPS research and data is open for anyone to use. Learn how to work with it in your own tools and projects.](/how-to-use-gps-data-with-ai-tools/) 71 Research Collections 1,571 Sources Cited 5,577 Verified Data Points 1,508 Named Entities Loading research collections… ## By the Numbers The most striking findings from across our research — each linked to its source. 80%One facility has 80% correctional officer vacancyStatistic[Staffing Crisis & Correctional Officer Turnover](https://gps.press/research-library/staffing-crisis-correctional-officer-turnover/)303%Prison meals contain 3x recommended daily sodiumStatistic[Prison Malnutrition Crisis: Health Costs, Violence, and Economic Impact](https://gps.press/research-library/prison-malnutrition-crisis-health-costs-violence-and-economic-impact/)Prisoner lost 22 pounds in two monthsQuote[Food Safety Inspections in Georgia State Prisons](https://gps.press/research-library/food-safety-inspections-in-georgia-state-prisons/)80%One prison has 80% staff vacancy—inmates run housing unitsStatistic[GDC Staffing Crisis: Vacancy Rates, Turnover & Workforce Challenges](https://gps.press/research-library/gdc-staffing-crisis-vacancy-rates-turnover-workforce-challenges/)11 in 23 Georgians under community supervision—highest in nationStatistic[Recidivism & Reentry Failures in Georgia](https://gps.press/research-library/recidivism-reentry-failures-in-georgia/)$0.6060¢ per meal vs $3.66 for schoolchildrenStatistic[Food Safety Inspections in Georgia State Prisons](https://gps.press/research-library/food-safety-inspections-in-georgia-state-prisons/)120 inmates fed single sandwich from sackFinding[Prison Malnutrition Crisis: Health Costs, Violence, and Economic Impact](https://gps.press/research-library/prison-malnutrition-crisis-health-costs-violence-and-economic-impact/)30,000Superpredator predictions: 30,000 murderers by 2000Quote[Lead poisoning drove America\'s crime epidemic](https://gps.press/research-library/lead-poisoning-drove-americas-crime-epidemic/)22Solitary inmates confined 22-24 hours per day in GeorgiaCase detail[Solitary Confinement & Restrictive Housing](https://gps.press/research-library/solitary-confinement-restrictive-housing/)Privatized healthcare has 18-58% higher death ratesStatistic[Prison Healthcare & Medical Neglect: Constitutional Standards, Privatization Failures, and Systemic Crisis](https://gps.press/research-library/prison-healthcare-medical-neglect-constitutional-standards-privatization-failures-and-systemic-crisis/)Georgia pays incarcerated workers $0/hourPolicy[Georgia’s Convict Leasing Program: Historical Origins and Modern Prison Labor (1866–Present)](https://gps.press/research-library/georgias-convict-leasing-program-historical-origins-and-modern-prison-labor-1866present/)$150MPrison surveillance tech spending: $150M+Statistic[GDC Overwatch & Logistic (OWL) Unit Command Center: Technology, Surveillance & Budget Analysis](https://gps.press/research-library/gdc-overwatch-logistic-owl-unit-command-center-technology-surveillance-budget-analysis/) Figures drawn from GPS research collections. Some numbers originate from GDC self-reported data and may undercount the true scale. ## How to Use This Page The Research Library has several layers. Here's what each one is for. 📑 ### Research Topics **Start here.** 20 topic pages synthesize findings from across all collections into readable overviews. Each has a "Learn More" button that lets you ask AI follow-up questions grounded in the data. [Browse Topics →](/research-library/topics/) 🗃 ### Research Collections The individual studies, reports, and investigations that feed the topic pages. Scroll down to search and browse all collections. Each one has its own page with data points, sources, and datasets. [Search Collections ↓](#rl-search) 🤖 ### Ask Lighthouse AI Have a specific question? Lighthouse AI searches the full Research Library, mortality database, policy library, and statistics — then gives you a sourced answer in seconds. [Open Lighthouse AI →](/ask-ai/) 📊 ### GPS Data & Statistics Explore raw numbers: prison population, mortality data, facility profiles, parole statistics, budget analysis, and 34 years of offense data across 304 categories. [View Statistics →](/gdc-statistics/) ## About the Research Library The GPS Research Library is a structured, citation-backed knowledge base covering every major issue in Georgia's prison system. We extract, verify, and organize the most critical facts from hundreds of sources — [DOJ reports](https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/findings_report_-_investigation_of_georgia_prisons.pdf), [state budget documents](https://opb.georgia.gov/budget-information/budget-documents/governors-budget-reports), academic studies, court filings, investigative journalism, and our own original research. Every data point is tagged by type, linked to its original source, and assigned a confidence level. The result is a research infrastructure that powers GPS articles, our AI tools, and everything on this page. The **[Research Topics](/research-library/topics/)** pages synthesize these collections into 20 readable overviews — the best starting point for understanding any issue. Individual **collection pages** (listed below) go deeper into specific studies, reports, and investigations. For additional resources, visit the [Resources page](/gps-informational-resources/), the [GDC Policy Library](/GDC-Policy-Library/) (561 SOPs, 195 Board Rules), or the [Mortality Database](/gdc-mortality-statistics/) tracking 1,777 deaths in GDC custody. The Research Library exists because accountability requires evidence, and evidence requires structure. Scattered data is easy to ignore. A verified, cross-referenced knowledge base built from hundreds of primary sources is not. ## Built for Accountability. Open to Everyone. Whether you're a family member looking for answers, a journalist investigating conditions, or an advocate pushing for change — the GPS Research Library gives you the verified facts you need. [Search with Lighthouse AI](/ask-ai/) [View Statistics](/gdc-statistics/) [About GPS](/about-us/)