GDC Budget / Fiscal Analysis
GDC Budget Baseline FY2025–FY2027: Per-Inmate Operating Cost, Programming Spending, and Multi-State Education Comparisons
This amendment document provides canonical GDC budget data from the GPS budget database REST API, correcting and superseding several figures from prior GPS reporting (post 9639 'Mission Failure'). Key findings include that GDC's total appropriation peaked at $1.91 billion in FY2025 before declining, that State Prisons funding was cut by $187 million (16.78%) between FY2025 actual and FY2027 approved while Private Prisons grew by $20.9 million (13.69%), that the FY2027 approved budget introduced a new Opioid Settlement Trust Fund of $8.6 million as a fund-source swap for substance abuse programs, and that the legislature cut the high school diploma program by $104,000 directing GDC to explore virtual alternatives. The document also corrects the '$120 million surveillance' and '$634 million largest increase' claims from prior reporting, establishing canonical surveillance/security spending at approximately $27.1 million for AFY2026/FY2027.
Key Findings
The most impactful data from this research collection.
$-187,485,279.00
State Prisons Budget Cut $187M in Two Years
StatisticSurveillance Budget 60x Larger Than Education
Finding22
Surveillance Spending 22x Larger Than Rehabilitation
StatisticAlabama Outspends Georgia 19:1 on Prison Education
Finding$40M
10% Recidivism Cut = Massive Fiscal Savings
StatisticPrison Education Reduces Recidivism by 43%
Finding$4.00
Prison Education ROI: $4–$5 Per Dollar
StatisticAll Data Points
140 verified data points extracted from primary sources.
GDC FY2024 Actual Total Budget Statistic
GDC total budget for FY2024 actual was $1,526,654,104 ($1.53 billion), composed of State General Funds $1,422,978,935, Federal Funds $3,022,249, and Other Funds $100,652,921.
$1.5B
GDC Total Annual Appropriation Statistic
GDC's total appropriation is approximately $1.8 billion per year. This is the controlling fiscal envelope from which all programming, surveillance, staff, and facility operations are funded.
$1.8B
GDC FY2025 Actual Total Budget — Peak Year Statistic
GDC total budget for FY2025 actual was $1,913,888,054 ($1.91 billion), the peak year in the FY2024–FY2027 window. Composed of State General Funds $1,823,730,648, Federal Funds $3,309,597, and Other Funds $86,847,809.
$1.9B
GDC Active In-Custody Population April 2026 Statistic
As of GDC's April 2026 monthly statistical report, GDC's active in-custody population is approximately 47,282 people.
47,282 people
GDC FY2026 Original Budget Statistic
GDC total budget for FY2026 original was $1,712,067,948 ($1.71 billion), composed of State General Funds $1,695,298,277, Federal Funds $809,589, and Other Funds $15,960,082.
$1.7B
GDC Parole Population April 2026 Statistic
A further 12,162 people are under parole supervision as of April 2026.
12,162 people
GDC FY2026 Amended Budget Statistic
GDC total budget for FY2026 amended was $1,799,204,979 ($1.80 billion), composed of State General Funds $1,782,435,308, Federal Funds $809,589, and Other Funds $15,960,082. This is the specific figure corresponding to the widely cited '$1.8 billion'…
$1.8B
GDC Historic Records Database Total Statistic
The broader GDC records database contains 302,343 historic GDC records (active + inactive + parole).
302,343 records
GDC FY2027 Governor's Proposed Budget Statistic
GDC total budget for FY2027 as proposed in the Governor's Budget was $1,778,839,635 ($1.78 billion), composed of State General Funds $1,762,069,964, Federal Funds $809,589, and Other Funds $15,960,082.
$1.8B
GDC Active Lifer Count Statistic
Statewide active-lifer count: 7,993.
7,993 people
GDC FY2027 Approved Budget (HB 974) Statistic
GDC total budget for FY2027 approved (HB 974 Senate Appropriations Committee Substitute) was $1,787,672,791 ($1.79 billion), composed of State General Funds $1,762,261,281, Federal Funds $809,589, Other Funds $15,960,082, and a new Opioid Settlement…
$1.8B
GDC Active LWOP Count Statistic
Statewide active life-without-parole (LWOP) count: 2,355.
2,355 people
Correction: '$1.8 billion' refers to FY2026 amended, not FY2025 Methodology note
The '$1.8 billion' figure widely cited in GPS reporting (including post 9639 'Mission Failure') corresponds specifically to the FY2026 amended budget total ($1,799,204,979). It is not the FY2025 actual, which was higher at $1.91 billion. GDC's total…
Implied Per-Inmate Operating Cost (Composite) Statistic
Implied operating cost per active inmate: $1.8 billion / 47,282 = approximately $38,070 per active inmate per year. This is a top-down calculation and does not separate facility operating cost from administrative overhead, parole supervision, or cap…
$38,070
GDC Budget Peaked in FY2025 Then Declined Trend
GDC's total appropriation peaked in FY2025 at approximately $1.91 billion, then declined to approximately $1.80 billion (FY2026 amended) and $1.79 billion (FY2027 approved), representing a decline of approximately $126 million from FY2025 actual to …
Largest Corrections Funding Increase in Georgia History Statistic
The AFY2026/FY2027 budget cycle contained the largest single corrections funding increase in Georgia history, totaling approximately $634 million in new corrections appropriations.
$634M
State Prisons Budget Cut $187M (16.78%) from FY2025 to FY2027 Statistic
GDC's largest program (State Prisons) was reduced from $1,117,374,600 (FY2025 actual) to $929,889,321 (FY2027 approved), a reduction of $187,485,279 or 16.78%.
$-187,485,279.00 vs. percent change FY2025 actual to FY2027 approved
New Spending: Thermal Cameras, CCTVs, Perimeter Security Statistic
Thermal cameras, CCTVs, and perimeter security received $84.7 million in new AFY2026/FY2027 spending.
$84.7M
Private Prisons Budget Grew $20.9M (13.69%) from FY2025 to FY2027 Statistic
GDC's Private Prisons program grew from $152,648,138 (FY2025 actual) to $173,541,185 (FY2027 approved), an increase of $20,893,047 or 13.69%.
$20.9M vs. percent change FY2025 actual to FY2027 approved
New Spending: Managed Access Cell Phone Blocking Statistic
Managed access cell phone blocking received $35 million or more in new AFY2026/FY2027 spending.
$35M
Health Budget Grew $37.3M (9.56%) from FY2025 to FY2027 Statistic
GDC's Health program grew from $389,939,841 (FY2025 actual) to $427,216,930 (FY2027 approved), an increase of $37,277,089 or 9.56%.
$37.3M vs. percent change FY2025 actual to FY2027 approved
New Spending: Body Cameras and Tasers Statistic
Body cameras and tasers received $7.2 million in new AFY2026/FY2027 spending.
$7.2M
Spending Shift from State Prisons to Private Prisons, Health, and Offender Management Finding
Between FY2025 actual and FY2027 approved, the redistribution within the GDC budget moved spending away from state-operated facilities (State Prisons –$187M, –16.78%) toward private contractors (Private Prisons +$20.9M, +13.69%), medical/health serv…
New Spending: OWL Surveillance Unit Statistic
OWL surveillance unit received $6.8 million in new AFY2026/FY2027 spending.
$6.8M
Offender Management Budget Grew $8.1M (15.98%) from FY2025 to FY2027 Statistic
GDC's Offender Management program grew from $50,538,361 (FY2025 actual) to $58,614,564 (FY2027 approved), an increase of $8,076,203 or 15.98%.
$8.1M vs. percent change FY2025 actual to FY2027 approved
New Spending: Digital Forensics Statistic
Digital forensics received $4.1 million in new AFY2026/FY2027 spending.
$4.1M
Departmental Administration Cut $9.1M (18.44%) from FY2025 to FY2027 Statistic
GDC's Departmental Administration program was reduced from $49,517,997 (FY2025 actual) to $40,386,511 (FY2027 approved), a reduction of $9,131,486 or 18.44%.
$-9,131,486.00 vs. percent change FY2025 actual to FY2027 approved
New Spending: Officer Tablets Statistic
Officer tablets received $2.5 million in new AFY2026/FY2027 spending.
$2.5M
Transition Centers Budget Grew $3.8M (8.14%) from FY2025 to FY2027 Statistic
GDC's Transition Centers program grew from $46,297,756 (FY2025 actual) to $50,067,051 (FY2027 approved), an increase of $3,769,295 or 8.14%.
$3.8M vs. percent change FY2025 actual to FY2027 approved
New Spending: Off-Site Mail Screening Statistic
Off-site mail screening received approximately $1 million in new AFY2026/FY2027 spending.
$1M
AFY2026 Amended Total Line-Item Changes: $87.1M Statistic
The AFY2026 amended budget contained $87,137,031 in total line-item changes. The largest category was health contract at $39,723,896, followed by security at $16,940,427 and one-time salary supplement ($2,000) at $15,064,541.
$87.1M
Total New Surveillance Spending AFY2026/FY2027 Statistic
Total new surveillance spending across the two budget years: over $120 million.
$120M
FY2027 Approved Net Total Line-Item Changes: $67.0M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget (HB 974 Senate Appropriations Committee Substitute) contained $66,963,004 in net total line-item changes. The largest category was health contract at $49,944,274, followed by correctional officer staffing at $28,527,189.
$67.0M
New Rehabilitation Programming AFY2026 Statistic
Additional programming through offender reentry services and a high school diploma program (AFY2026): $336,851.
$336,851
AFY2026 Health Contract Spending: $39.7M Statistic
The AFY2026 amended budget allocated $39,723,896 for health contract line-item changes, the largest single category in that budget cycle.
$39.7M
New Rehabilitation Programming FY2027 Statistic
Additional programming through offender reentry services and a high school diploma program (FY2027): $992,819.
$992,819
FY2027 Health Contract Spending: $49.9M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget allocated $49,944,274 for health contract line-item changes, the largest single category in that budget cycle.
$49.9M
Pilot Peer-Led Program at One Prison Statistic
Pilot peer-led program at one prison: $150,000 in new AFY2026/FY2027 spending.
$150,000
AFY2026 Managed Access/Drone Detection Spending: $13.4M Statistic
Within the AFY2026 security category ($16,940,427 total), managed access/drone detection accounted for $13,387,475.
$13.4M
Additional Programming at One Reentry Facility Statistic
Additional programming at one reentry facility: $93,179 in new AFY2026/FY2027 spending.
$93,179
AFY2026 One-Time $2,000 Salary Supplement: $15.1M Statistic
The AFY2026 amended budget included $15,064,541 for a one-time $2,000 salary supplement for correctional officers.
$15.1M
Total New Rehabilitation Investment AFY2026/FY2027 Statistic
Total new rehabilitation investment across the two budget years: approximately $2.6 million.
$2.6M
FY2027 Correctional Officer Staffing: $28.5M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget allocated $28,527,189 for correctional officer staffing increases.
$28.5M
Surveillance-to-Rehabilitation Ratio in New Spending Finding
Surveillance-to-rehabilitation ratio in new AFY2026/FY2027 spending: over $120 million surveillance / $2.6 million rehabilitation ≈ 46 to 1.
FY2027 Correctional Officer Salary Adjustment ($2,000): $15.6M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget allocated $15,572,351 for a $2,000 correctional officer salary adjustment for recruitment and retention.
$15.6M
Per-Inmate New Rehabilitation Investment Statistic
$2.6 million / approximately 50,000 incarcerated people = approximately $52 per person per year, or approximately $0.14 per person per day.
$52.00 vs. dollars per person per day
FY2027 OWL Unit Personnel: $1.4M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget allocated $1,443,038 for OWL Unit personnel within the security category.
$1.4M
Education Not a Standalone Line Item in GDC Budget Finding
Education is not a standalone line item in GDC's budget. It is embedded within the broader 'State Prisons' appropriation, which ranges from approximately $901 million to $938 million across the two budget years, with no dedicated allocation for educ…
FY2027 OWL Unit Additional Technology: $5.5M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget allocated $5,521,230 for OWL Unit additional technology within the security category.
$5.5M
Technical/Vocational Education Programs AFY2025 Statistic
Technical and vocational education programs and related equipment (AFY2025): $1.2 million.
$1.2M
FY2027 Managed Access/Drone Detection Uses $10.8M Existing Funds Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget allocates $0 in new funds for managed access/drone detection, instead utilizing $10,793,600 from existing funds.
$10.8M
Technical/Vocational Education Programs FY2026 Statistic
Technical and vocational education programs and related equipment (FY2026): $805,000.
$805,000
AFY2026 Private Prison Spending (Jenkins CI + Riverbend CI): $1.05M Statistic
The AFY2026 amended budget allocated $1,054,637 for private prisons, specifically for Jenkins CI and Riverbend CI.
$1.1M
Vocational Education Budget FY2025 — $172,000 Statistic
Vocational education budget for the entire state prison system in FY2025: $172,000 — equivalent to approximately $3.44 per active incarcerated person per year (calculated against 47,282 active inmates).
$172,000 vs. dollars per inmate per year
FY2027 Private Prison Spending (Jenkins CI + Riverbend CI): $1.06M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget allocated $1,055,658 for private prisons, specifically for Jenkins CI and Riverbend CI.
$1.1M
Education Spending as Share of GDC Budget Statistic
Education spending (cited at approximately $2 million total) represents approximately 0.11% of GDC's total $1.8 billion budget.
0.1%
AFY2026 Reentry Spending: $243K (Including Autry Peer-Led Pilot) Statistic
The AFY2026 amended budget allocated $243,179 for reentry, including $150,000 for an Autry State Prison peer-led pilot and $93,179 for Metro Reentry Facility programming.
$243,179
Surveillance Budget 60x Larger Than Education Total Finding
The new surveillance technology budget alone (over $120 million) is approximately 60 times larger than the cited education total (~$2 million).
AFY2026 Inmate Assignment Decision Support System: $125,892 Statistic
The AFY2026 amended budget allocated $125,892 for technology, specifically an inmate assignment decision support system.
$125,892
Top Offense: Aggravated Assault Statistic
Top offense in GDC historic records database: aggravated assault with 29,302 records.
29,302 records
AFY2026 High School Diploma Program Staff: $93,672 Statistic
The AFY2026 amended budget allocated $93,672 for high school diploma program staff for accreditation.
$93,672
Top Offense: Pre-July 2012 Burglary Statistic
Second top offense in GDC historic records database: pre-July 2012 burglary with 20,780 records.
20,780 records
FY2027 High School Diploma Program Cut by $104,000 Policy
The Senate Appropriations Committee Substitute (HB 974) reduced the high school diploma program by $104,000, with budget language directing GDC to 'explore virtual high school options.' The Governor's FY2027 proposed budget had included $953,033 for…
Top Offense: Possession of Cocaine Statistic
Third top offense in GDC historic records database: possession of cocaine with 14,096 records.
14,096 records
Two-Budget-Cycle Prison Education Investment: ~$942,705 (Not $1.3M) Finding
The combined AFY2026 and FY2027 approved investment in expanded prison education programming through the high school diploma program is approximately $942,705, not the approximately $1.3M that would have resulted from full adoption of the Governor's…
Top Offense: Armed Robbery Statistic
Fourth top offense in GDC historic records database: armed robbery with 13,275 records.
13,275 records
New Opioid Settlement Trust Fund: $8,641,839 in FY2027 Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget contains a new Opioid Settlement Trust Fund line of $8,641,839, appearing as a new fund source for the first time. This fund derives from settlement funds Georgia is receiving from opioid manufacturers and distributors thr…
$8.6M
Top Offense: Pre-July 2012 First-Degree Forgery Statistic
Fifth top offense in GDC historic records database: pre-July 2012 first-degree forgery with 10,252 records.
10,252 records
Substance Abuse Fund-Source Swap: $8.3M State Funds Replaced by Opioid Settlement Funds Finding
The FY2027 approved budget reduced State General Funds spending on substance abuse programs by $8,273,423 (Detention Centers –$2,178,619 and State Prisons –$6,094,804), offset by the new $8,641,839 Opioid Settlement Trust Fund. Both reductions are e…
Cited Per-Person Incarceration Cost ($34,000) Statistic
The 'Mission Failure' GPS analysis cited a per-person incarceration cost of approximately $34,000 per year as the basis for calculating the cost of recidivism reincarcerations. This is the facility-only operating cost figure, as opposed to the $38,0…
$34,000 vs. composite per-inmate cost including overhead
FY2027 Substance Abuse Reduction in Detention Centers: $2.2M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget reduced State General Funds for substance abuse in Detention Centers by $2,178,619, shifting to Opioid Settlement Trust Funds.
$-2,178,619.00
Florida Prison Education Spending Statistic
Florida spends approximately $91 million on prison education, equivalent to approximately $1,028 per inmate per year. Florida increased its prison education spending by 119% across three years.
$91M vs. dollars per inmate per year
FY2027 Substance Abuse Reduction in State Prisons: $6.1M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget reduced State General Funds for substance abuse in State Prisons by $6,094,804, shifting to Opioid Settlement Trust Funds.
$-6,094,804.00
Florida Prison Education Spending Increase Statistic
Florida increased its prison education spending by 119% across three years.
119%
Opioid Settlement Fund Substitution Risk Flagged as GPS Reporting Target Data gap
Tracking how Georgia spends opioid settlement funds — and whether they substitute for, rather than supplement, State General Fund spending on substance abuse — is a documented GPS reporting target for FY2027 and beyond.
Florida Recidivism Rate Statistic
Florida's stated recidivism rate: 21%.
21%
Correction: '$120M Surveillance' Claim Cannot Be Reconciled with AFY2026/FY2027 Line Items Methodology note
Article 9639 ('Mission Failure') cited 'over $120 million' in surveillance and security technology spending across the AFY2026/FY2027 budget cycle. The canonical line-item changes data shows new spending in security and technology categories totalin…
Texas Prison Education Spending via Windham School District Statistic
Texas spends approximately $66 to $76 million through the Windham School District, a dedicated educational agency within the Texas prison system with its own superintendent and more than 1,000 staff. Per-inmate education spending: approximately $508…
$66M vs. million dollars (high estimate)
Canonical Surveillance-to-Rehabilitation Ratio: 22:1 (Not 46:1) Statistic
The surveillance-to-rehabilitation ratio computed from canonical line-item changes is approximately $27.1M / $1.23M ≈ 22:1 across AFY2026 amended + FY2027 approved combined. This is significantly different from article 9639's 46:1 figure but still s…
22 ratio (surveillance:rehabilitation) vs. ratio from article 9639
Texas Recidivism Rate Statistic
Texas's stated recidivism rate: 15%.
15%
Canonical Two-Budget-Cycle Rehabilitation Investment: ~$1.23M (Not $2.6M) Statistic
The approved two-budget-cycle rehabilitation investment (AFY2026 amended + FY2027 approved) is approximately $1,225,705, not the $2.6 million cited in article 9639.
$1.2M vs. dollars (article 9639 claim)
Alabama Prison Education Spending Statistic
Alabama spends approximately $19.3 million on prison education, equivalent to approximately $742 per inmate per year. Alabama operates under federal oversight for unconstitutional prison conditions but still outspends Georgia on prison education by …
$19.3M vs. dollars per inmate per year
Correction: '$634M Largest Corrections Increase' Cannot Be Reconciled Methodology note
Article 9639 characterized the AFY2026/FY2027 budget cycle as containing $634 million in new corrections appropriations — 'the largest single corrections funding increase in Georgia history.' The canonical total of line-item changes across AFY2026 a…
Alabama Outspends Georgia 19:1 Per-Inmate on Education Finding
Alabama, despite operating under federal oversight for unconstitutional prison conditions, still outspends Georgia on prison education by approximately 19 to 1 on a per-inmate basis.
FY2024 to FY2025 Budget Increase: ~$387M Statistic
The FY2024 actual to FY2025 actual increase was approximately $387 million ($1.53B to $1.91B), representing the largest year-over-year increase in the visible four-year window (FY2024–FY2027).
$387.0M
Mississippi Programming Enrollment Rate Statistic
Mississippi enrolls approximately 80% of its incarcerated population in programming. The state is the poorest in the United States by per-capita measures.
80%
38 New Positions Authorized in AFY2026/FY2027 Statistic
Across all line-item changes in the GPS budget database, the AFY2026/FY2027 budget cycles authorize 38 total new positions.
38 positions
South Carolina Prison Education Credentials Statistic
South Carolina operates a dedicated prison school district. Approximately 8,300 credentials awarded annually.
8,300 credentials per year
FY2027 Benefits Adjustment Reduction: $34.0M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget included a benefits adjustment reduction of $33,984,399.
$-33,984,399.00
South Carolina Lowest Recidivism Rate in U.S. Statistic
South Carolina has a stated recidivism rate of 17.1% — the lowest in the entire United States by the cited measure.
17.1%
FY2027 Offender Call Monitoring Contract: $1.1M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget allocated $1,118,244 for an offender call monitoring contract within the technology category.
$1.1M
Georgia Prison Education Spending — Dead Last Among Southern States Statistic
Georgia spends approximately $2 million on prison education for approximately 51,000 inmates, equivalent to approximately $39 per person per year. Ranked dead last among Southern states in per-inmate education spending.
$39.00
FY2027 Data Intelligence Annual Maintenance: $1.75M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget allocated $1,750,000 for data intelligence annual maintenance within the technology category.
$1.8M
Georgia 3-Year Reconviction Rate Statistic
GDC's official three-year reconviction rate is reported at 25 to 27%, equating to approximately 3,000 to 3,200 reconvictions per year from each annual release cohort.
25% vs. percent (high estimate)
FY2027 Tablet One-Time Funding Reduced: –$1.5M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget reduced tablet one-time funding by $1,538,700 within the technology category.
$-1,538,700.00
GPS Estimate of Georgia's Actual Recidivism Rate Finding
The GPS Research Library estimates Georgia's actual return-to-incarceration rate is closer to 50% — approximately double the official figure — using rearrest and longer windows.
FY2027 Technology Category Net Total: $1.59M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget technology category net total was $1,587,344, comprising inmate assignment decision support $257,800, offender call monitoring contract $1,118,244, data intelligence annual maintenance $1,750,000, and tablets one-time fund…
$1.6M
Georgia Only Measures Reconvictions, Not Rearrests Methodology note
Georgia measures only reconvictions (not rearrests), uses only a three-year window, and excludes deaths from the dataset. Only nine states report all three recidivism measures (reconviction, rearrest, return to incarceration); Georgia is not among t…
BJS 30-State Recidivism Rates Statistic
The Bureau of Justice Statistics 30-state recidivism dataset (which includes Georgia) reports a three-year rearrest rate of 68%, a six-year rate of 79%, and a nine-year rate of 83%.
68% vs. percent (9-year rearrest)
FY2027 Security Category Total: $8.4M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget security category total was $8,445,494, comprising canine handlers $695,018, security threat group coordinators $377,168, managed access analysts $409,040, OWL Unit personnel $1,443,038, and OWL Unit additional technology …
$8.4M
Fiscal Impact of 10 Percentage Point Recidivism Reduction Statistic
Reducing Georgia's reconviction rate by 10 percentage points would equate to approximately 1,200 fewer reconvictions per year, or approximately $40 million per year in avoided incarceration costs — more than fifteen times GDC's current annual rehabi…
$40M vs. fewer reconvictions per year
AFY2026 Canine Handlers: $964,650 Statistic
The AFY2026 amended budget allocated $964,650 for canine handlers within the security category.
$964,650
RAND: Correctional Education Reduces Recidivism by 43% Finding
The RAND Corporation's meta-analysis of correctional education found that participants in educational programs are 43% less likely to recidivate, with employment outcomes 13 percentage points higher and a return on investment of $4 to $5 per dollar …
AFY2026 Security Threat Group Coordinators: $137,802 Statistic
The AFY2026 amended budget allocated $137,802 for security threat group coordinators within the security category.
$137,802
RAND: Prison Education ROI $4-$5 Per Dollar Statistic
The RAND Corporation found a return on investment of $4 to $5 per dollar invested in prison education.
$4.00 vs. dollars return per dollar invested (high)
AFY2026 Public Safety Supplies/Equipment: $2.45M Statistic
The AFY2026 amended budget allocated $2,450,500 for public safety supplies and equipment within the security category.
$2.5M
RAND: Vocational Training 205% ROI Statistic
Vocational training produces an estimated 205% return on investment.
205%
AFY2026 Operations Category: $6.24M Statistic
The AFY2026 amended budget allocated $6,242,030 for the operations category.
$6.2M
GDC Vocational Completers Recidivism Rate Statistic
GDC's own internal data shows vocational program completers recidivate at approximately 13.64% — roughly half the general population rate.
13.6% vs. percent (general population reconviction rate)
AFY2026 Correctional Officer Staffing: $4.98M Statistic
The AFY2026 amended budget allocated $4,982,902 for correctional officer staffing.
$5.0M
Hypothetical 2% Education Budget Allocation Finding
If Georgia matched approximately 2% of its corrections budget for education (the approximate share Texas and Florida allocate), that would equal approximately $30 million per year — roughly fifteen times current per-capita levels and still less than…
AFY2026 Facility Ops: $2.67M Statistic
The AFY2026 amended budget allocated $2,665,855 for facility operations.
$2.7M
SCI Chester 'Little Scandinavia' Per-Bed Setup Cost Statistic
Pennsylvania's 'Little Scandinavia' pilot at SCI Chester: 64 beds at approximately $310,000 setup cost. Per-bed setup cost: approximately $4,844 per bed. Operating since 2022.
$4,844 vs. total setup cost
FY2027 Facility Ops: $4.23M Statistic
The FY2027 approved budget allocated $4,232,901 for facility operations.
$4.2M
Pennsylvania Expansion of Little Scandinavia Model Case detail
Pennsylvania announced March 2025 expansion of the Little Scandinavia model to three additional facilities, expected to include a maximum-security site and a women's prison.
Legislature Directed GDC to 'Explore Virtual High School Options' Policy
The HB 974 Senate Appropriations Committee Substitute (April 4, 2026) included budget language directing GDC to 'explore virtual high school options' as part of reducing the high school diploma program by $104,000, specifying a virtual-delivery alte…
SCI Chester Staff-to-Inmate Ratio vs Standard Housing Statistic
The Little Scandinavia unit at SCI Chester has a staff-to-inmate ratio of approximately 1:8, compared to approximately 1:128 in standard SCI Chester housing.
8 inmates per staff (Little Scandinavia) vs. inmates per staff (standard housing)
GPS Budget Database Covers Nine REST API Endpoints Methodology note
The GPS budget database REST API (gps-budget-data/v1) exposes nine endpoints: /budget, /budget/totals, /budget/compare, /budget/trend/{program}, /department, /changes, /programs, /stats, and /fiscal-years. Data is current to April 4, 2026 and backed…
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center Per-Bed Cost Statistic
California's San Quentin Rehabilitation Center: 2,500-bed capacity at approximately $239 million construction cost. Per-bed construction cost: approximately $95,600 per bed. Scheduled to open January 2026.
$95,600 vs. million dollars total construction
Autry State Prison Peer-Led Reentry Pilot: $150,000 Statistic
The AFY2026 amended budget allocated $150,000 for an Autry State Prison peer-led pilot within the reentry category.
$150,000
California vs Pennsylvania Per-Bed Cost Ratio Finding
California's per-bed setup cost is approximately 19.7 times higher than Pennsylvania's per-bed setup cost ($95,600 vs. $4,844).
Metro Reentry Facility Programming: $93,179 Statistic
The AFY2026 amended budget allocated $93,179 for Metro Reentry Facility programming within the reentry category.
$93,179
CDCR FY2026-27 Budget Statistic
California's proposed FY2026-27 corrections budget is approximately $14.2 billion, with much of the increase attributed to officer pay growing at approximately three times the rate of inflation.
$14.2B
Food and Farm Operations Cut $487K (1.53%) from FY2025 to FY2027 Statistic
GDC's Food and Farm Operations program was reduced from $31,748,617 (FY2025 actual) to $31,261,736 (FY2027 approved), a reduction of $486,881 or 1.53%.
$-486,881.00 vs. percent change FY2025 actual to FY2027 approved
Cost of Chester-Style Pilot vs GDC Digital Forensics Budget Finding
The GDC AFY2026/FY2027 budget allocated approximately $4.1 million to digital forensics alone — more than thirteen times the cost of standing up a SCI Chester–scale rehabilitation pilot ($310,000).
Detention Centers Budget Grew $873K (1.15%) from FY2025 to FY2027 Statistic
GDC's Detention Centers program grew from $75,822,744 (FY2025 actual) to $76,695,493 (FY2027 approved), an increase of $872,749 or 1.15%.
$872,749 vs. percent change FY2025 actual to FY2027 approved
Cost of Chester-Style Pilot vs GDC Thermal Camera Budget Finding
The GDC AFY2026/FY2027 budget allocated approximately $84.7 million to thermal cameras, CCTVs, and perimeter security — approximately 273 times the cost of a SCI Chester–scale pilot ($310,000).
San Quentin-Scale Facility as Share of GDC Budget Finding
A San Quentin–scale 2,500-bed Nordic-inspired facility's implied capital cost of approximately $239 million would represent approximately 13.3% of GDC's annual budget or approximately 38% of the new $634 million corrections increase.
Walker State Prison: DOJ Notable Exception Finding
The October 2024 DOJ findings report singled out Walker State Prison as a 'notable exception' within GDC. Walker has more staff positions filled than other Georgia prisons, more programming, fewer incarcerated people reporting fear of violence, and …
Walker as Internal Evidence for Staffing + Programming Finding
Walker is GDC's own internal evidence that the formula of adequate staffing plus programming produces measurable safety outcomes within the existing GDC system, without any Nordic or Scandinavian framing or capital expenditure beyond standard facili…
Data Gap: GDC Total Education Spending Across All Line Items Data gap
GDC total education spending across all line items, including any embedded education spending within the $901-to-$938 million 'State Prisons' appropriation, remains unresolved by published GDC documentation. Without this figure, no per-inmate educat…
Data Gap: GDC Capital Outlay History FY2020-FY2027 Data gap
GDC capital outlay history for FY2020 through FY2027 — including any new facility construction, renovation, or major rehabilitation costs — is needed to enable per-bed cost comparison against the SCI Chester ($4,844/bed) and San Quentin ($95,600/bed…
Data Gap: GDC Private Prison Contract Spending Data gap
GDC private prison contract spending — specifically the line items referenced as exceeding the proposed $30 million education scaling figure — needs confirmation through the Department of Administrative Services contract database.
Data Gap: GDC Per-Inmate Operating Cost (Own Calculation) Data gap
GDC per-inmate operating cost as calculated by GDC itself, separating facility-only operating cost from administrative overhead, parole supervision, and capital outlay, should be requested from GDC's Office of Strategic and Administrative Services.
Data Gap: Walker State Prison Full Budget Allocation Data gap
Walker State Prison's full FY2025-FY2027 budget allocation, including staffing, programming, and security technology line items, is needed to support Walker as the within-system comparative anchor.
Data Gap: GDC Programming Participation and Completion Data Data gap
GDC data on programming participation, completion, and recidivism by program type (vocational, GED/HSE, cognitive-behavioral, substance abuse) is needed to validate or update the cited 13.64% vocational completer recidivism figure.
RAND: Education Improves Employment by 13 Percentage Points Statistic
The RAND Corporation's meta-analysis found that correctional education participants had employment outcomes 13 percentage points higher than non-participants.
13%
CDCR Officer Pay Growing 3x Rate of Inflation Finding
Much of the increase in California's proposed FY2026-27 corrections budget is attributed to officer pay growing at approximately three times the rate of inflation.
Chester-Style Pilot = 0.017% of GDC Budget Finding
A SCI Chester-style 64-bed unit at approximately $310,000 setup cost would be approximately one-thirteen-thousandth of GDC's annual budget, or approximately 0.017%.
New Spending Skewed Toward Surveillance Over Rehabilitation Finding
The allocation of the $634 million in new corrections dollars is heavily skewed toward surveillance and security technology rather than rehabilitation, education, or staffing-for-programming.
Sources
22 cited sources backing this research.
Primary
Official report
Secondary
Journalism
Secondary
Journalism
Secondary
Official report
Primary
Official report
Primary
Official report
Primary
Official report
Secondary
Data portal
Primary
Data portal
Primary
Data portal
Primary
Data portal
Primary
Data portal
Primary
Data portal
Primary
Gps original
Secondary
Gps original
GPS Post 9639 — Mission Failure
Secondary
Gps original
Secondary
Gps original
Primary
Legislation
Primary
Official report
Secondary
Gps original
Key Entities
Organizations, people, facilities, and other named entities referenced in this research.
Alabama Department of Corrections
[organization]
Autry State Prison
[facility]
Bureau of Justice Statistics
[organization]
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
[organization]
Florida Department of Corrections
[organization]
GDC
[organization]
Georgia Budget and Policy Institute
[organization]
Georgia Department of Corrections
[organization]
Georgia Office of Planning and Budget
[organization]
Georgia Prisoners' Speak
[organization]
Governor's Office of Planning and Budget
[organization]
GPS Post 9639 — Mission Failure
[case]
HB 974
[legislation]
Jenkins Correctional Institution
[facility]
Metro Reentry Facility
[facility]
Mississippi Department of Corrections
[organization]
Opioid Settlement Trust Fund
[program]
OWL Unit
[program]
RAND Corporation
[organization]
Riverbend Correctional Institution
[facility]
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
[facility]
SCI Chester
[facility]
South Carolina Department of Corrections
[organization]
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
[organization]
U.S. Department of Justice
[organization]
Walker State Prison
[facility]
Windham School District
[organization]
Related Topics
Research topics that draw on data from this collection.
Budget & Spending
Georgia's Department of Corrections operates a system costing nearly $1.8 billion annually — a figure that has grown dramatically while conditions have deteriorated, violence has surged, and accountability mechanisms have remained largely absent. Between January and May 2025 alone, the Georgia General Assembly approved approximately $634 million in new corrections spending, the largest single infusion in state history, with little public transparency about how those funds will be tracked or evaluated. A forensic examination of GDC's budget trends reveals a system that spends aggressively on incarceration infrastructure while systematically underinvesting in staffing, healthcare, rehabilitation, and the conditions that would actually reduce recidivism and save lives.
2,765 data points
Oversight & Accountability
Georgia's prison oversight architecture has failed at every level — legislative, judicial, executive, and administrative — producing a system where 142 documented homicides, a 50% staffing vacancy rate, and $634 million in emergency spending coexist with no meaningful accountability for the officials responsible. The Georgia Department of Corrections operates with near-total opacity, manipulates its own mortality data, collects millions in kickbacks from vendors it is supposed to regulate, and has twice required federal court intervention — first in 1972 and again in 2024 — because internal oversight mechanisms do not function. What exists in Georgia is not a flawed oversight system; it is the systematic absence of one.
3,254 data points
Reform Models & Programs
Georgia's prison system spends nearly $1.8 billion annually while operating one of the most violent, understaffed, and rehabilitation-deficient correctional systems in the nation — and the gap between what evidence-based reform models have achieved elsewhere and what Georgia delivers to its 52,000+ incarcerated people grows wider each year. National models from California, Texas, New York, and North Carolina demonstrate that structured rehabilitation programming, cognitive-behavioral curricula, mentorship pipelines, and conviction integrity mechanisms produce measurable reductions in violence, recidivism, and long-term costs. Georgia has largely rejected or failed to implement these models, continuing to pour record funding — $634 million in new spending approved in 2025 alone — into a system without accountability benchmarks, program infrastructure, or the staffing required to deliver either safety or rehabilitation.
2,761 data points