Conditions & Operations
GDC Staffing Crisis: Vacancy Rates, Turnover & Workforce Challenges
This compilation documents Georgia Department of Corrections' severe staffing crisis, with nearly 50% of correctional officer positions vacant system-wide and eight facilities exceeding 70% vacancy rates. The crisis drives dangerous conditions including unsupervised housing units, gang control of facilities, and massive overtime costs that ballooned 11-fold during 2019-2022. Governor Kemp proposed over $600 million in additional corrections funding in January 2025, while the DOJ found in October 2024 that grossly inadequate staffing directly contributes to violence and leaves incarcerated persons unsupervised. The February 2024 Board of Corrections meeting minutes detail recruitment campaigns, budget proposals, and legislative efforts including enhanced contraband penalties under Senate Bill 159.
Pre-written explainers based on this research
Key Findings
The most impactful data from this research collection.
80%
One prison has 80% staff vacancy—inmates run housing units
StatisticGuards working 16-hour days, 5 days a week, every week
FindingAll Data Points
59 verified data points extracted from primary sources.
Total budgeted corrections officer positions Statistic
GDC has 5,991 total budgeted corrections officer positions.
5,991 positions
GDC vacant corrections officer positions Statistic
2,985 corrections officer positions are vacant, representing nearly 50% of all budgeted CO positions.
2,985 vacant positions vs. total budgeted positions
GDC system-wide CO vacancy rate approximately 50% Statistic
The system-wide correctional officer vacancy rate is nearly 50%.
50%
Eight GDC facilities exceed 70% CO vacancy rate Statistic
Eight GDC facilities have correctional officer vacancy rates of 70% or more.
8 facilities
Ten GDC facilities exceed 70% vacancy rates Statistic
10 facilities exceed 70% vacancy rates.
10 facilities
18 prisons exceed 60% vacancy rate Statistic
18 prisons report vacancy rates exceeding 60%.
18 prisons
Valdosta State Prison 80% CO vacancy rate Statistic
Valdosta State Prison has 80% of correctional officer positions vacant as of April 2024. It houses the highest percentages of both gang members and mental health inmates.
80%
GDC FY2022 turnover rate 47% Statistic
Fiscal year 2022 correctional officer turnover rate was 47%.
47%
Projected FY2024 turnover rate 32% Statistic
Projected turnover rate by end of fiscal 2024 is 32%, down from 47% in FY2022.
32% vs. FY2022 turnover rate
80% of applicants fail to complete hiring process Statistic
80% of applicants fail to complete the hiring process for correctional officer positions.
80%
670 COs hired since November 2022 Statistic
670 corrections officers have been hired since November 2022.
670 officers hired
Job applications more than doubled after media campaign Statistic
Job applications before media campaign averaged approximately 300 per month. After the campaign, applications exceeded 700 per month, more than doubling.
700 applications per month vs. applications per month before campaign
Additional recruitment funding requested: $2.5 million Statistic
GDC requested an additional $2.5 million in recruitment funding for the next fiscal year.
$2.5M
Proposed total recruitment budget: $6.1 million Statistic
The proposed total recruitment budget is $6.1 million.
$6.1M
Minimum-security CO starting salary: $40,000 Statistic
Minimum-security correctional officer starting salary is $40,000.
$40,000
Maximum-security CO starting salary: $43,000 Statistic
Maximum-security correctional officer starting salary is $43,000.
$43,000
Georgia has one of the lowest CO wages nationally Finding
Georgia has one of the lowest correctional officer wages in the nation.
Requested salary increase: $3,000 per officer + 4% for all prison employees Policy
GDC requested a salary increase of $3,000 per officer plus a 4% increase for all prison employees.
Requested bonus: $1,000 per employee Policy
GDC requested a $1,000 bonus per employee.
Overtime spending exceeded $4 million (2019-2022) Statistic
Overtime spending ballooned to more than $4 million during the period 2019-2022.
$4M
Overtime spending 11 times pre-pandemic levels Statistic
Overtime spending was 11 times as high as pre-pandemic levels during 2019-2022.
11.0x times pre-pandemic levels
Officers working 16-hour days, 5 days a week Finding
Correctional officers are often working 16-hour days, 5 days a week due to staffing shortages.
Smith State Prison staffing: half of required officers most days Case detail
Smith State Prison: each shift is supposed to have 30 officers for approximately 1,500 men, but most days had half that number.
Nearly 52,000 inmates across Georgia prisons Statistic
Nearly 52,000 inmates are housed across Georgia prisons.
52,000 inmates
15,000 verified gang members in GDC custody Statistic
15,000 verified gang members are in GDC custody.
15,000 gang members
14,000 inmates receiving mental health treatment Statistic
14,000 inmates are receiving mental health treatment in Georgia prisons.
14,000 inmates
~19,000 inmates receiving chronic illness treatment Statistic
Approximately 19,000 inmates are receiving chronic illness treatment.
19,000 inmates
99,000+ monthly prescriptions dispensed Statistic
More than 99,000 prescriptions are dispensed monthly across Georgia prisons.
99,000 prescriptions per month
DOJ: Grossly inadequate staffing leaves incarcerated persons unsupervised Finding
The DOJ found that GDC's grossly inadequate staffing leaves incarcerated persons unsupervised and hampers staff's ability to respond to violence. Correctional officers are often responsible for monitoring hundreds of people with no backup.
DOJ: Staff frequently work mandatory overtime due to chronic shortages Finding
The DOJ found that staff frequently work mandatory overtime due to chronic shortages.
DOJ: Many posts go unfilled during shifts Finding
The DOJ found that many posts go unfilled during shifts, leaving housing units unsupervised.
DOJ: Response times to violent incidents dangerously slow Finding
The DOJ found that response times to violent incidents are dangerously slow due to staffing shortages.
DOJ: Staff shortages contribute to gang control of housing units Finding
The DOJ found that staff shortages contribute directly to gang control of housing units.
DOJ: New officers receive inadequate training and mentoring Finding
The DOJ found that new officers receive inadequate training and mentoring.
DOJ: Experienced officers leave due to burnout, low pay, safety concerns Finding
The DOJ found that experienced officers leave due to burnout, low pay, and safety concerns.
Governor Kemp: $600M+ additional corrections funding Policy
Governor Kemp called for more than $600 million in additional corrections funding in January 2025.
Kemp: 4% salary increase for all CO staff Policy
Governor Kemp called for a 4% salary increase for all correctional officer staff to achieve parity with neighboring states.
Kemp: 8% salary increase for behavioral health counselors Policy
Governor Kemp called for an 8% salary increase for behavioral health counselor positions.
Kemp: Hiring 330 additional workers Policy
Governor Kemp's corrections funding plan includes hiring 330 additional workers.
Kemp: Adding 446 prison beds + modular correctional units Policy
Governor Kemp's plan includes adding 446 prison beds plus modular correctional units.
Kemp: Marketing initiative, new training curriculum, lock repair team Policy
Governor Kemp's corrections funding proposal includes a marketing initiative to recruit correctional officers, a new training curriculum, and a statewide lock repair team.
Senate Committee: Staffing is single greatest challenge facing GDC Finding
The Senate Study Committee found that staffing remains the single greatest challenge facing GDC.
Senate Committee: High vacancy rates directly correlate with increased violence Finding
The Senate Study Committee found that high vacancy rates directly correlate with increased violence.
Senate Committee: Compensation does not compete with comparable law enforcement Finding
The Senate Study Committee found that GDC compensation does not compete with comparable law enforcement positions.
Senate Committee: Rural prison locations create recruitment challenges Finding
The Senate Study Committee found that rural prison locations create additional recruitment challenges.
Senate Committee: Staff wellness and mental health support inadequate Finding
The Senate Study Committee found that staff wellness and mental health support is inadequate.
SB 159: Enhanced penalties for employee/contractor contraband introduction Legal fact
Senate Bill 159 specifies penalties for employees or contractors introducing contraband into a prison or jail. Employees or contractors convicted of introducing contraband shall be sentenced to a term of 10 years; any person convicted of introducing…
Board meeting: One-time $1,000 salary supplement for statewide recommendation Policy
Commissioner Oliver discussed statewide recommendations including one-time salary supplements of $1,000, cost-of-living adjustments of 4% up to $3,000, and salary enhancement of $3,000 for POST-certified law enforcement officers.
New state prison construction planned in Washington County Policy
Capital outlay proposals include new state prison construction in Washington County.
Capital outlay: Replace 218 vehicles and 10 buses statewide Policy
GDC capital outlay proposals include replacing 218 vehicles statewide and 10 buses statewide.
GDC privatizing food service at 4 facilities Policy
GDC budget proposals include privatizing food service at 4 facilities.
GDC private prisons bed capacity increase proposed Policy
GDC budget recommendations include a private prisons bed capacity increase.
Additional weekend meals for offenders proposed Policy
GDC Food and Farm Operations budget proposal includes additional offender meals on weekends.
Chandley Communications recruitment campaign targeting 18 facilities Case detail
The Chandley Communications recruitment campaign targeted 18 GDC facilities: Baldwin State Prison, Hancock State Prison, Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison, Hays State Prison, Whitworth Women's Facility, Coastal State Prison, Ware State Pr…
Closure of HR recruitment centers proposed Policy
GDC state prisons budget proposals include closure of human resources recruitment centers as a cost-saving measure.
Trend: Declining turnover rate from 47% (FY2022) to projected 32% (FY2024) Trend
GDC correctional officer turnover rate declined from 47% in fiscal year 2022 to a projected 32% by end of fiscal year 2024, suggesting some improvement from recruitment and retention efforts.
Replacing basic CO training notebooks with Chromebooks Policy
GDC state prisons budget proposal includes replacing basic correctional officer training notebooks with Chromebooks.
Virtual courts technology efficiencies proposed Policy
GDC offender management budget proposal includes virtual courts technology efficiencies.
GDC Georgia Prison Warden's Association scholarship goal: $1,500 Case detail
The Board of Corrections yearly scholarship collection for the Georgia Prison Warden's Association Board of Corrections scholarship fund has a goal of $1,500.
Sources
13 cited sources backing this research.
Primary
Official report
Chandley Communications Recruitment Campaign Strategy and Analysis Overview
Primary
Official report
Corrections1 / GDC Commissioner Reports, 2024
Primary
Official report
DOJ Findings on Staffing (October 2024)
Primary
Official report
DOJ Findings on Staffing, October 2024
Primary
Official report
GDC Board of Corrections Meeting Minutes (February 1, 2024)
Primary
Official report
GDC Board of Corrections Meeting Minutes, February 2024
Primary
Official report
GDC Official Staffing Data (Corrections1 / GDC Commissioner Reports, 2024)
Primary
Press release
Governor Kemp's Response to Corrections Crisis (January 2025)
Primary
Press release
Governor Kemp's Response, January 2025
Primary
Official report
Inmate Services Fiscal Year 2023 Impact Report
Primary
Legislation
Senate Bill 159 (Georgia) - Contraband Penalties
Primary
Official report
Senate Study Committee Findings on Staffing (December 2024)
Primary
Official report
Senate Study Committee Findings on Staffing, December 2024
Key Entities
Organizations, people, facilities, and other named entities referenced in this research.
Ahmed Holt
[person]
Alan Watson
[person]
Andrea Shelton
[person]
Autry State Prison
[facility]
Baldwin State Prison
[facility]
Board of Corrections
[organization]
Calhoun State Prison
[facility]
Chandley Communications
[organization]
Coastal State Prison
[facility]
Dodge State Prison
[facility]
Donna Tebought
[person]
Georgia Department of Corrections
[organization]
Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison
[facility]
Governor Brian Kemp
[person]
Hancock State Prison
[facility]
Hays State Prison
[facility]
Jay Sanders
[person]
Jennifer Ammons
[person]
Johnson State Prison
[facility]
Komola Edwards
[person]
Larry Haynie
[person]
Macon State Prison
[facility]
Matthew Wolfe
[person]
Pulaski State Prison
[facility]
Randy Sauls
[person]
Rob Thrower
[person]
Robin Chandley
[person]
Senate Bill 159
[legislation]
Senate Study Committee
[organization]
Simone Juhmi
[person]
Smith State Prison
[facility]
Telfair State Prison
[facility]
Tyrone Oliver
[person]
U.S. Department of Justice
[organization]
Ware State Prison
[facility]
Wayne Dasher
[person]
Whitworth Women's Facility
[facility]
Wilcox State Prison
[facility]