2026 Elections & Criminal Justice
2026 Georgia Statewide Candidates: Criminal Justice & Prison Reform Positions
This GPS voter education guide analyzes criminal justice and prison reform positions of 30+ candidates in Georgia's 2026 statewide races (Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General). The guide finds that only 3 candidates across all races have detailed prison reform positions: Jake Olinger (R-Gov), Josh McLaurin (D-Lt.Gov), and Tanya Miller (D-AG). The four leading Republican gubernatorial candidates have collectively offered zero positions on prison conditions, parole reform, GDC oversight, or the DOJ investigation despite $700M in spending with worsening outcomes, and the Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner has not prioritized prison reform.
All Data Points
38 verified data points extracted from primary sources.
Only 3 of 30+ statewide candidates have detailed prison reform positions Finding
Only 3 of 30+ statewide candidates have detailed prison reform positions: Jake Olinger (R-Gov), Josh McLaurin (D-Lt.Gov), Tanya Miller (D-AG).
Four leading GOP gubernatorial candidates have zero positions on prison conditions or DOJ investigation Finding
The 4 leading Republican gubernatorial candidates (Jones, Jackson, Carr, Raffensperger) have collectively offered ZERO positions on prison conditions, parole reform, GDC oversight, or the DOJ investigation — despite $700M in spending with worsening …
Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Bottoms has not prioritized prison reform Finding
The Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner (Keisha Lance Bottoms) has relevant experience but has not prioritized prison reform in her 2026 campaign. No specific positions on prison conditions, parole reform, GDC oversight, sentencing reform, or DOJ f…
Burt Jones exclusively punitive legislative record Case detail
Burt Jones has an exclusively punitive record. Led passage of SB 44 (2023, gang mandatory minimums), SB 63 (2024, expanded cash bail), fentanyl mandatory minimum increases, SB 185 (2025, transgender prisoner care ban). Has 60+ sheriff endorsements. …
Jones has 60+ sheriff endorsements Statistic
Burt Jones has received 60+ sheriff endorsements as the Trump-endorsed frontrunner in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
60 sheriff endorsements (60+)
Rick Jackson $50M self-funder with no prison healthcare positions Finding
Rick Jackson is a healthcare executive (Jackson Healthcare, $3B+ revenue) and late entry to the race in February 2026 with $50M in self-funding. Despite being a healthcare executive with direct expertise on the prison healthcare crisis ($432M GDC he…
Jackson Healthcare revenue exceeds $3B Statistic
Jackson Healthcare, the company associated with gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson, has $3B+ in revenue.
$3B
Chris Carr Gang Prosecution Unit: 120+ convictions Statistic
Attorney General Chris Carr created a Gang Prosecution Unit that has achieved 120+ convictions.
120 convictions (120+)
Chris Carr Human Trafficking Unit: 60+ convictions Statistic
Attorney General Chris Carr created a Human Trafficking Unit that has achieved 60+ convictions.
60 convictions (60+)
Chris Carr: 'toughest state in the nation on crime' Quote
Chris Carr's stated goal is to make Georgia the 'toughest state in the nation on crime.' He supports mandatory minimum expansion and has 53 sheriff endorsements.
Carr has 53 sheriff endorsements Statistic
Attorney General Chris Carr has received 53 sheriff endorsements in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
53 sheriff endorsements
Chris Carr as AG would negotiate DOJ consent decree but has taken no position on it Finding
As Attorney General, Chris Carr would negotiate a DOJ consent decree regarding Georgia prison conditions, but he has taken no position on the matter.
Jake Olinger: most detailed reform platform of any candidate Policy
Jake Olinger has the most detailed reform platform of any candidate. Includes: appoint Parole Board members to increase grant rates including formerly incarcerated person; require written denial explanations; automatic review for old-law sentences; …
Olinger: 'Georgia doesn't have a prison space problem. Georgia has a failed policy problem.' Quote
Jake Olinger opposed $600M in prison spending, stating: 'Georgia doesn't have a "prison space problem." Georgia has a failed policy problem.'
$600M prison spending opposed by Olinger Statistic
Jake Olinger opposed $600M in state spending on prisons, arguing Georgia has a failed policy problem rather than a prison space problem.
$600M
Keisha Lance Bottoms banned cash bonds for city ordinance violations as Atlanta mayor Policy
As Atlanta mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms banned cash bonds for city ordinance violations.
Atlanta homicides rose 60% during Bottoms' tenure Statistic
Atlanta homicides rose 60% during Keisha Lance Bottoms' tenure as mayor, a contested element of her record.
60%
Bottoms polling at 35% as Democratic frontrunner Statistic
Keisha Lance Bottoms is the Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner at 35% in polls.
35%
Geoff Duncan sponsored SB 441 (Criminal Record Responsibility Act) Case detail
Former Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan sponsored SB 441 (Criminal Record Responsibility Act) and passed hate crimes legislation in 2020. He switched from Republican to Democrat for the 2026 race.
Blake Tillery led budget process for $600M prison spending Case detail
Blake Tillery, Senate Appropriations Chair, led the budget process for $600M in prison spending and authored SB 39 (transgender prisoner care ban). Has 62 sheriff endorsements. No prison reform positions.
Tillery has 62 sheriff endorsements Statistic
Blake Tillery has received 62 sheriff endorsements in the Republican Lt. Governor primary.
62 sheriff endorsements
Brenda Nelson-Porter: only Republican Lt. Gov. candidate with prison reform positions Finding
Brenda Nelson-Porter is the only Republican Lt. Governor candidate with prison reform positions. She advocates that prison food is 'insufficient'; Senate study committees on nutrition and medical care; making parole more accessible for trade program…
Josh McLaurin most documented legislative record on prison reform Case detail
Josh McLaurin has the most documented legislative record on prison reform of any statewide candidate. Co-chaired 2021 House Democratic Caucus Committee investigating prison crisis. Sponsored voting rights restoration for felony convictions (HB 101, …
McLaurin voting rights restoration bills would affect approximately 200,000 people Statistic
Josh McLaurin sponsored voting rights restoration for felony convictions (HB 101, HR 28, SB 179) that would affect approximately 200,000 people.
200,000 people affected
McLaurin was one of only 3 senators voting against SB 79 (fentanyl sentences) Statistic
Josh McLaurin voted NO on SB 79 (fentanyl sentences) — one of only 3 senators opposing the bill.
3 senators opposing
McLaurin: 'The level of human rights abuses is intolerable' Quote
Josh McLaurin stated: 'The level of human rights abuses is intolerable. We want to change the system.'
McLaurin: 'locking more people up for longer sentences is taking away their ability to participate in society' Quote
Josh McLaurin stated: 'We know that locking more people up for longer sentences is taking away their ability piece by piece to participate in society.'
Tanya Miller: most reform-oriented AG candidate Case detail
Tanya Miller is the most reform-oriented AG candidate. Former prosecutor (Fulton County Homicide Unit, Crimes Against Women/Children) and current civil rights attorney. Pledges to 'decrease the amount of people entangled in our criminal justice syst…
Tanya Miller: 'decrease the amount of people entangled in our criminal justice system' Quote
Tanya Miller pledges to 'decrease the amount of people entangled in our criminal justice system.'
Only Olinger committed to appointing Parole Board members who will increase grant rates Finding
The Governor appoints the entire Parole Board. Only Jake Olinger has committed to appointing Board members who will increase grant rates, including a formerly incarcerated person.
Only Tanya Miller has addressed the DOJ consent decree among AG candidates Finding
The next Attorney General will negotiate any DOJ consent decree regarding Georgia prison conditions. Only Tanya Miller has addressed this responsibility.
$700M spending with worsening outcomes Statistic
Despite $700M in spending, outcomes in Georgia prisons have been worsening, yet the four leading Republican gubernatorial candidates have offered no positions on the issue.
$700M
$432M GDC health budget Statistic
The GDC health budget is $432M, relevant to the prison healthcare crisis that healthcare executive Rick Jackson has not addressed.
$432M
Chase Oliver must gather 78,000+ signatures for ballot access Statistic
Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver, the 2024 Libertarian presidential nominee, must gather 78,000+ signatures for ballot access in the Georgia governor's race.
78,000 signatures required (78,000+)
Brenda Nelson-Porter: prison food is 'insufficient' Quote
Republican Lt. Governor candidate Brenda Nelson-Porter advocates that prison food is 'insufficient' and calls for Senate study committees on nutrition and medical care.
Derrick Jackson: 'reimagining community safety from an intersectional perspective' Quote
State Representative Derrick Jackson advocates 'reimagining community safety from an intersectional perspective' and addresses the school-to-prison pipeline, but offers no specific policy commitments on parole, sentencing, or conditions.
Qualifying period complete as of March 6, 2026 Methodology note
The qualifying period for 2026 Georgia statewide candidates was complete as of March 6, 2026. The guide was compiled by Georgia Prisoners' Speak on March 14, 2026.
Tanya Miller: stands 'firm against efforts that would criminalize lower income, young, and Black Georgians' Quote
Tanya Miller stands 'firm against efforts that would criminalize lower income, young, and Black Georgians.'
Sources
10 cited sources backing this research.
Secondary
Journalism
AP (March 14, 2026)
Secondary
Journalism
Atlanta News First
Secondary
Data portal
Ballotpedia
Secondary
Journalism
CBS Atlanta (March 10, 2026)
Primary
Official report
Emerson College Polling (March 2026)
Secondary
Journalism
FOX 5 Atlanta
Secondary
Journalism
Georgia Recorder (multiple dates 2025-2026)
Primary
Press release
Georgia Republican Party candidate guide
Primary
Gps original
Tertiary
Data portal
Wikipedia 2026 Georgia gubernatorial election
Key Entities
Organizations, people, facilities, and other named entities referenced in this research.
Bill Cowsert
[person]
Blake Tillery
[person]
Brad Raffensperger
[person]
Brenda Nelson-Porter
[person]
Brian Strickland
[person]
Burt Jones
[person]
Chase Oliver
[person]
Chris Carr
[person]
David Clark
[person]
Derrick Jackson
[person]
Geoff Duncan
[person]
Georgia Department of Corrections
[organization]
Georgia Prisoners' Speak
[organization]
Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles
[organization]
Greg Dolezal
[person]
HB 101
[legislation]
HR 28
[legislation]
Jackson Healthcare
[organization]
Jake Olinger
[person]
Jason Esteves
[person]
John F. Kennedy
[person]
Josh McLaurin
[person]
Keisha Lance Bottoms
[person]
Mike Thurmond
[person]
Rick Jackson
[person]
Robert Trammell
[person]
SB 179
[legislation]
SB 185
[legislation]
SB 39
[legislation]
SB 44
[legislation]
SB 441
[legislation]
SB 63
[legislation]
SB 79
[legislation]
Southern Center for Human Rights
[organization]
Stephen B. Bright
[person]
Steve Gooch
[person]
Tanya Miller
[person]
U.S. Department of Justice
[organization]