Budget, Policy & Sentencing

Georgia Department of Corrections: Budget & Spending Trends FY2022-FY2027

108 Data Points 9 Sources 22 Entities Research Date: Feb 27, 2026

This compilation documents a dramatic escalation in Georgia Department of Corrections spending from FY2022 through FY2027, with total budgets rising from approximately $1.1 billion to nearly $1.8 billion—a 44% increase over four years driven primarily by healthcare contract expansions ($38.9M-$54.8M annual increases), infrastructure/security upgrades ($280M in AFY2025 alone), and staff compensation adjustments. Healthcare spending now represents the fastest-growing cost center, with physical health contract increases alone exceeding $47.8M in FY2027, while the prison population has rebounded from pandemic lows of ~42,795 to nearly 51,000 by early 2024. The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute's analyses highlight that these massive spending increases fail to address financial burdens on incarcerated Georgians—including $5 medical co-pays, commissary price increases, and unpaid prison labor—while regressive revenue streams and expanding carceral policies drive further population growth.

Where this research is used

This page is a research collection: individual facts drawn from the sources listed further down, each traced to where it came from. A research topic brings many collections together into one overview of an issue. The facts on this page feed these 9 topics; open one to see how they fit with the rest of the evidence.

Budget & Spending

Georgia's prison budget rose from $1.53 billion in fiscal 2024 to an all-time peak of $1.91 billion in fiscal 2025, then settled near $1.79 billion for fiscal 2027. Across that arc the money moved toward health contracts, private beds and surveillance technology while the state-operated prison program, food service and education shrank. GPS's own budget series has since corrected several of its earlier headline claims, and the gap between what the state appropriates and what it can show for it remains the central accountability problem.

11,375 data points

Communications & Technology

Georgia's prison communications system runs through a single vendor family — Securus Technologies for phone calls, its subsidiary JPay for tablets, email and money transfers — under a contract that pays the state 59.6 percent of gross call revenue. Families pay per-minute charges, per-stamp email fees, transfer fees and tablet content prices that bear little relation to consumer telecom costs, while the state simultaneously spends roughly $50 million on managed access systems meant to block the contraband phones that compete with that paid network. GPS's research finds the blocking approach has not reduced phone-related incidents, has produced no accountability for staff smuggling, and rests on tens of millions of dollars in procurement that left no public paper trail.

3,852 data points

Facility Conditions & Infrastructure

Georgia's prison system is physically failing: a stock of buildings whose average age exceeds 30 years and whose design life the state's own commissioner puts at 15 to 20, run at multiples of their original design capacity, with locks that do not lock, plumbing that does not drain, mold that is not removed and housing that is not cooled. A 2024 federal findings report, a 2024 Senate study committee and a December 2024 consultant assessment all reached the same conclusion in different words — that the physical plant is an emergency. The state's answer has been a $600 million construction-and-repair program whose own timelines, the commissioner has said, will run years past the funding window.

11,131 data points

Healthcare & Medical Neglect

Georgia's prison healthcare system fails the constitutional floor on a documented, repeated basis: the federal Department of Justice concluded in October 2024 that medical care in Georgia prisons is 'abhorrent,' 'life-threatening' and unconstitutional, with people waiting months for treatment and roughly 10% of those with Hepatitis C or HIV receiving it. The state has outsourced the duty to a succession of contractors — Georgia Correctional HealthCare until 2021, Wellpath for three years, and Centurion Health since July 2024 under a $2.40 billion nine-year contract — while the Health program appropriation reached $432,247,728 for fiscal year 2027. What the record leaves is a delivery system that cannot staff itself, a mortality record the Department stopped explaining in March 2024, and named dead people whose settlements the state pays years later.

4,808 data points

Parole & Sentencing

Parole in Georgia is a discretionary act of executive clemency, and the record shows that discretion narrowing to the point of near-refusal: parole releases fell from 16,772 in fiscal 1991 to 5,588 in fiscal 2025, the overall grant rate dropped from 38 percent in 2019 to 28 percent in 2024, and the life-sentence grant rate sits between 4.5 and 5.4 percent. Over the same decades the average time served before release on a life sentence rose from under nine years in 1973 to 29.6 years in fiscal 2025. The Board's own reports also leave contradictions unresolved — year-shifted tables, a fluctuating time-served series, and a life-decision volume that tripled while grants fell.

11,852 data points

Policy & Advocacy

Georgia's policy and advocacy landscape is defined by a paradox: a decade of bipartisan sentencing reform that measurably reduced incarceration and racial disparity, followed by a sharp reversal toward prison construction, surveillance technology, and record spending attached to no independent oversight. Legislative victories on wrongful conviction compensation, survivor justice, and out-of-time appeals sit alongside bills that died in the last minutes of session — an independent prison ombudsman, restrictive housing limits, parole transparency — and a post-conviction system the Chief Justice of Georgia calls 'a mess' that only the legislature can fix. The 2026 statewide elections and an unresolved federal investigation are the two live pressure points advocates are organizing around.

7,412 data points

Population & Demographics

Georgia's prison population has travelled from roughly 3,000 people in 1925 to a peak above 54,000, and now sits somewhere between 47,000 and 53,000 depending on which counting rule is used. That population is about 60 percent Black in a state that is about 33 percent Black, is aging faster than the national average, and holds a life-sentenced population that grew while the rest of the country's shrank. This page assembles the trend lines, the demographic splits, and the definitional disagreements that make Georgia's population numbers hard to pin down.

7,570 data points

Prison Labor & Economics

Georgia operates one of the largest uncompensated prison labor systems in the United States: roughly 80% of able-bodied incarcerated people work, and the state pays $0 for routine assignments. The savings are captured by state and county government while the costs are pushed onto the families of incarcerated people, who fund commissary purchases at markups documented between 67% and 1,150% above retail. In 2024 alone Georgia extracted $18.76 million in commissary profit from people who work for free — and then raised prices roughly 30% in November 2025.

3,864 data points

Prison Nutrition in Georgia

Food adequacy, meal cost, commissary substitution, and nutrition-related health harms in Georgia prisons.

934 data points

50,000 GDC oversees more than 50,000 offenders serving p… $1.7B GDC FY2026 Original Budget: $1.712 billion total … $1.8B GDC Amended FY2026 Budget: $1.799 billion total f… $1.8B GDC FY2027 Budget: $1.779 billion total funds $1.5B GDC FY2024 Total Expenditures: $1.527 billion $1.9B GDC FY2025 Total Expenditures: $1.914 billion

Key Findings

The most impactful data from this research collection. Tap a card for the full finding, GPS commentary on why it matters, and its source.

All Data Points

108 verified data points extracted from primary sources.

GDC oversees more than 50,000 offenders serving prison sentences Statistic

The Georgia Department of Corrections administers the prison sentences of offenders adjudicated by Georgia courts, with more than 50,000 of these offenders serving prison sentences.

50,000 offenders

demographics facilities

GDC FY2026 Original Budget: $1.712 billion total funds Statistic

The GDC FY2026 original budget totaled $1,712,067,948 in total funds, comprising $1,695,298,277 in State General Funds, $809,589 in Federal Funds, and $15,960,082 in Other Funds.

$1.7B

budget

GDC Amended FY2026 Budget: $1.799 billion total funds Statistic

The GDC Amended FY2026 budget totaled $1,799,204,979 in total funds after $87,137,031 in changes to State General Funds.

$1.8B vs. 1,712,067,948 FY2026 Original Budget

budget

GDC FY2027 Budget: $1.779 billion total funds Statistic

The GDC FY2027 budget totaled $1,778,839,635 in total funds, comprising $1,762,069,964 in State General Funds, $809,589 in Federal Funds, and $15,960,082 in Other Funds.

$1.8B vs. 1,712,067,948 FY2026 Original Budget

budget

GDC FY2024 Total Expenditures: $1.527 billion Statistic

GDC actual expenditures in FY2024 totaled $1,526,654,104 across all programs.

$1.5B

budget

GDC FY2025 Total Expenditures: $1.914 billion Statistic

GDC actual expenditures in FY2025 totaled $1,913,888,054 across all programs, representing a significant spike from FY2024's $1,526,654,104.

$1.9B vs. 1,526,654,104 FY2024 Expenditures

budget

GDC FY2024 State General Funds: $1.423 billion Statistic

GDC State General Fund expenditures in FY2024 totaled $1,422,978,935.

$1.4B

budget

GDC FY2025 State General Funds: $1.824 billion Statistic

GDC State General Fund expenditures in FY2025 totaled $1,823,730,648, an increase of approximately $401 million from FY2024.

$1.8B vs. 1,422,978,935 FY2024 State General Funds

budget

Health program Amended FY2026 budget: $417.3 million Statistic

The GDC Health program budget for Amended FY2026 totaled $417,255,739, an increase of $39,777,721 from the original FY2026 budget of $377,478,018.

$417.3M vs. 377,478,018 FY2026 Original Health Budget

budget medical

Health program FY2027 budget: $432.2 million Statistic

The GDC Health program budget for FY2027 totaled $432,247,728, an increase of $54,769,710 from the original FY2026 budget of $377,478,018.

$432.2M vs. 377,478,018 FY2026 Original Health Budget

budget medical

Health program FY2024 actual expenditures: $325.6 million Statistic

GDC Health program actual expenditures in FY2024 totaled $325,613,120.

$325.6M

budget medical

Health program FY2025 actual expenditures: $389.9 million Statistic

GDC Health program actual expenditures in FY2025 totaled $389,939,841, an increase of approximately $64.3 million from FY2024.

$389.9M vs. 325,613,120 FY2024 Health Expenditures

budget medical

Amended FY2026 physical health contract increase: $38.9 million Statistic

For Amended FY2026, the governor's budget increases funds for the physical health contract by $38,869,898, broken down as: per diem increase ($10,946,108), outside-the-wire care ($15,000,000), and opening of additional beds ($12,923,790).

$38.9M

budget medical

Amended FY2026 outside-the-wire healthcare: $15 million Statistic

The Amended FY2026 budget includes $15,000,000 specifically for outside-the-wire care as part of the physical health contract increase.

$15.0M

budget medical

FY2027 physical health contract increase: $47.9 million Statistic

For FY2027, the governor's budget increases funds for the physical health contract by $47,880,895, broken down as: per diem increase ($23,627,395) and opening of additional beds ($24,253,500).

$47.9M

budget medical

Amended FY2026 mental health contract increase: $479,411 Statistic

For Amended FY2026, the governor's budget increases funds for the mental health contract by $479,411 to increase staffing ratios.

$479,411

budget mental_health

FY2027 mental health contract increase: $1.9 million Statistic

For FY2027, the governor's budget increases funds for the mental health contract by $1,917,644 to increase staffing ratios.

$1.9M vs. 479,411 Amended FY2026 mental health increase

budget mental_health

Amended FY2026 dental health contract increase: $374,587 Statistic

For Amended FY2026, the governor's budget increases funds for the dental health contract by $374,587 to increase staffing ratios.

$374,587

budget medical

FY2027 dental health contract increase: $1.5 million Statistic

For FY2027, the governor's budget increases funds for the dental health contract by $1,498,347 to increase staffing ratios.

$1.5M vs. 374,587 Amended FY2026 dental health increase

budget medical

FY2027 pharmacy contract increase: $3.7 million Statistic

For FY2027, the governor's budget increases funds for the pharmacy contract by $3,681,328 for a per diem increase.

$3.7M

budget medical

Amended FY2026 prior year funds for physical health risk share: $20.4 million Statistic

The Amended FY2026 budget utilizes prior year funds of $20,402,982 for physical health risk share obligations.

$20.4M

budget medical

State Prisons FY2025 expenditures spike: $1.117 billion Statistic

State Prisons program expenditures in FY2025 were $1,117,374,600, a dramatic increase from FY2024's $821,265,828, representing a $296 million year-over-year increase.

$1.1B vs. 821,265,828 FY2024 State Prisons Expenditures

budget facilities

State Prisons Amended FY2026 budget: $938.7 million Statistic

The State Prisons program Amended FY2026 budget totals $938,705,499, including a $36,746,804 increase from the original budget.

$938.7M

budget facilities

State Prisons FY2027 budget: $914.9 million Statistic

The State Prisons program FY2027 budget totals $914,864,554.

$914.9M

budget facilities

FY2027 managed access and drone detection: $13.4 million in new funds Statistic

For Amended FY2026, the governor's budget increases funds for managed access and drone detection systems to prevent contraband by $13,387,475 in State Prisons. For FY2027, existing funds of $10,793,600 are utilized for these same systems.

$13.4M

budget contraband operations

Amended FY2026 one-time salary supplement: $2,000 per full-time employee Policy

The Amended FY2026 budget provides a one-time salary supplement of $2,000 to full-time, regular state employees across all GDC programs, totaling $12,050,341 for State Prisons alone.

budget staffing

FY2027 additional correctional officer positions: $26.8 million Statistic

For FY2027, the governor's budget provides $26,824,134 for additional correctional officer positions to improve staff to offender ratios based on improved retention.

$26.8M vs. 4,982,902 Amended FY2026 additional CO positions

budget staffing

FY2027 Over Watch and Logistics (OWL) Unit funding Statistic

For FY2027, the governor's budget provides $1,238,495 to annualize personnel for the Over Watch and Logistics (OWL) Unit and $5,521,230 for additional technology costs for the OWL Unit to enhance safety, security, and technology.

$6.8M

budget operations contraband

FY2027 security threat group regional coordinators: $377,168 Statistic

For FY2027, the governor's budget provides $377,168 for three security threat group regional coordinators, with $137,802 in start-up costs funded in Amended FY2026.

$377,168

budget gangs operations

FY2027 canine handlers: $624,652 Statistic

For FY2027, the governor's budget provides $624,652 to increase funds for six canine handlers, with $964,650 in start-up costs funded in Amended FY2026.

$624,652

budget contraband operations

FY2027 managed access analysts: $409,040 Statistic

For FY2027, the governor's budget provides $409,040 for five managed access analysts to support contraband prevention.

$409,040

budget contraband operations

Private Prisons FY2024 expenditures: $144.3 million Statistic

Private Prisons program expenditures in FY2024 were $144,251,930.

$144.3M

budget facilities

Private Prisons FY2027 budget: $177.8 million Statistic

The Private Prisons program FY2027 budget totals $177,767,784, up from $144,251,930 in FY2024 expenditures.

$177.8M vs. 144,251,930 FY2024 Private Prisons Expenditures

budget facilities

FY2027 expansion of private prison beds: 263 beds at Coffee and Wheeler Statistic

For FY2027, the governor's budget adds $4,227,620 to add 160 private prison beds at Coffee Correctional Institution and 103 private prison beds at Wheeler Correctional Institution.

263 beds

budget facilities

Jenkins and Riverbend funding to fully utilize beds: $1.05 million Statistic

Both Amended FY2026 and FY2027 budgets include $1,054,637 to increase funds for Jenkins Correctional Institution and Riverbend Correctional Institution to fully utilize available beds at the correct tier rate added in HB68 (2025 Session).

$1.1M

budget facilities legal

Amended FY2026 jail subsidy increase: $6.2 million Statistic

The Amended FY2026 budget increases funds for jail subsidy payments to local jails for housing Department of Corrections inmates by $6,242,030 under the Offender Management program.

$6.2M

budget facilities

Autry State Prison peer-led programming pilot: $150,000 Statistic

The Amended FY2026 budget provides $150,000 for a pilot program at Autry State Prison to provide for peer-led programming.

$150,000

budget reentry policy

Metro Reentry Facility additional programming: $93,179 (AFY2026) and $39,786 (FY2027) Statistic

The Amended FY2026 budget provides $93,179 and the FY2027 budget provides $39,786 for additional programming at the Metro Reentry Facility.

$93,179

budget reentry

Modular correctional units operations: FY2027 includes food and operations funding Statistic

The FY2027 budget includes $364,749 for food services at four modular correctional units (Food and Farm Operations) and $1,760,207 for operations at five modular correctional units (State Prisons). The Amended FY2026 budget also includes $182,375 for food services and $880,104 for operations at modular units.

$2.1M

budget facilities

Lee Arrendale State Prison operations increase: $1.54 million Statistic

Both the Amended FY2026 and FY2027 budgets include $1,542,179 each to increase funds for operations at Lee Arrendale State Prison.

$1.5M

budget facilities

High school diploma program accreditation: $953,033 Statistic

For FY2027, the governor's budget provides $953,033 for required staff needed to meet accreditation requirements to operate a high school diploma program, with $93,672 in start-up costs in Amended FY2026.

$953,033

budget reentry policy

FY2027 public safety supplies and equipment: $2.45 million Statistic

The Amended FY2026 budget provides $2,450,500 for the purchase of public safety supplies and equipment for State Prisons.

$2.5M

budget operations

FY2027 State Health Benefit Plan employer rate reduction: 29.454% to 20.264% Policy

The FY2027 budget reduces funds across all GDC programs to reflect a reduction in the employer contribution rate for the State Health Benefit Plan from 29.454% to 20.264%, resulting in savings of $28,375,825 in State Prisons alone.

budget staffing policy

GBPI FY2025 proposed budget: $1.48 billion Statistic

For Fiscal Year 2025, Governor Brian Kemp proposed a $1.48 billion budget for the Georgia Department of Corrections, nearly $153 million higher than what was approved initially for FY 2024.

$1.5B

budget

FY2025 increase over FY2024: nearly $153 million Statistic

The FY2025 proposed budget is nearly $153 million higher than what was approved initially for FY 2024, primarily attributed to cost-of-living adjustments, maintenance and operations costs, and physical health and pharmacy service contracts.

$153.0M

budget

Three-year trend of rising state prison spending (FY2023-FY2025) Trend

The FY2025 budget proposals mark a three-year trend in rising state prison spending, serving as fiscal responses to acute safety and staffing concerns while incentivizing long-term growth in prison populations.

budget staffing violence

Georgia prison population fell below 43,000 during pandemic Statistic

Georgia's state prison population fell below 43,000 following pandemic crises that fueled statewide court case delays and decreased the number of individuals experiencing incarceration.

43,000 incarcerated individuals

demographics

Prison population reached nearly 51,000 by January 2024 Statistic

By January 2024, Georgia's prison population reached nearly 51,000 incarcerated Georgians, including those under GDC jurisdiction while serving parole or probation.

51,000 incarcerated individuals vs. 43,000 pandemic low

demographics

Black Georgians represent 58% of prison population Statistic

Black Georgians continue to represent an outsized 58% share of the state's prison population while comprising only 33 percent of the overall state population, evidence of the state's legacy of slavery, segregation, Jim Crow, racialized criminalization through over-policing, racially biased school punishment, and historic disinvestments in communities of color.

58% vs. 33 Black share of Georgia overall population

demographics

Amended FY2024: $7 million for $1,000 staff bonus Statistic

The Amended FY2024 budget includes $7 million to provide a $1,000 bonus to eligible, full-time GDC staff.

$7.0M

budget staffing

Amended FY2024: $6.1 million for recruiting and culture review Statistic

The Amended FY2024 budget includes $6.1 million to fund a recruiting campaign and agency work culture review for GDC.

$6.1M

budget staffing

Amended FY2024: $65.3 million for physical health and pharmacy contracts Statistic

The Amended FY2024 budget includes $65.3 million to increase funds for physical health and pharmacy services contracts.

$65.3M

budget medical

Amended FY2024: $5.6 million for safety, security and technology Statistic

The Amended FY2024 budget includes $5.6 million in increased funds for safety, security and technology initiatives.

$5.6M

budget operations contraband

Amended FY2024: $4.7 million for 400 transition center beds Statistic

The Amended FY2024 budget includes $4.7 million to fund operational costs to add 400 transition center beds.

$4.7M

budget facilities reentry

FY2025: $71.9 million for physical health and pharmacy contracts Statistic

The FY2025 budget includes $71.9 million to increase funds for physical health and pharmacy services contracts.

$71.9M

budget medical

FY2025: $21.2 million for 4% COLA for eligible staff Statistic

The FY2025 budget includes $21.2 million to provide 4% cost-of-living adjustments for eligible full-time state employees, not to exceed $3,000 per employee.

$21.2M

budget staffing

FY2025: $21.6 million for POST-certified officer salary increases Statistic

The FY2025 budget includes $21.6 million to provide $3,000 salary increases for POST-certified law enforcement officers.

$21.6M

budget staffing

FY2025: $17.5 million for capital maintenance and repairs Statistic

The FY2025 budget includes $17.5 million for capital maintenance and repairs.

$17.5M

budget facilities

FY2025: $10 million for 400 transition center bed operations Statistic

The FY2025 budget includes $10 million to provide a year's worth of projected funds to cover ongoing operational costs to add 400 transition center beds.

$10.0M

budget facilities reentry

FY2025: $6.9 million for 200 temporary beds at Coffee and Wheeler Statistic

The FY2025 budget includes $6.9 million to provide 200 temporary beds at Coffee and Wheeler state prisons to allow for maintenance and repairs.

$6.9M

budget facilities

FY2025: $1.2 million for additional weekend meals Statistic

The FY2025 budget includes $1.2 million to provide additional meals on weekends.

$1.2M

budget conditions

FY2025: $172,000 for vocational education contracts Statistic

The FY2025 budget includes $172,000 to increase funds for state technical college system vocational education contracts.

$172,000

budget reentry

Nearly $220 million in added spending for AFY 2024 and FY 2025 Statistic

Despite nearly $220 million in proposed added spending for AFY 2024 and FY 2025, GBPI finds these priorities continue to ignore the multi-million-dollar financial burdens placed on Georgians experiencing incarceration and their loved ones.

$220.0M

budget

Phone and mail fees generate millions in annual commission revenue Finding

Incarcerated individuals are burdened with phone and mail communication fees, which provide millions of dollars in annual commission revenue for the state.

conditions budget

FY2021 $5 million commissary spending cut shifted costs to incarcerated people Finding

Incarcerated Georgians bear increased prices of basic necessities like hygiene products due to a more than $5 million spending cut in FY 2021, effectively shifting costs to prisoners and their families.

budget conditions

GBPI: Budget fails to address unpaid prison labor subsidizing profits Finding

Many incarcerated Georgians are forced to perform unpaid labor that subsidizes public and private profits, manufacturing goods that could land in the stores of countless retailers through complex supply chains, yet budget spending fails to address this.

conditions policy

Budget fails to prioritize accommodations for incarcerated women Finding

GBPI notes that the added spending fails to prioritize and appropriate for humane accommodations for the varied, rising and specific needs incarcerated women and birthing people experience—including postpartum pumping rooms, lactation programs and child-friendly spaces for children visiting parents experiencing incarceration.

conditions policy medical

SB 63 would expand pre-trial detention and reduce legal representation Legal fact

One of the latest legislative proposals supported by Governor Kemp is Senate Bill 63 which, if passed, would expand pre-trial detention and reduce access to legal representation, potentially reversing criminal justice reforms from the Deal administration.

legal policy

Deal administration reforms reduced Black incarceration from 62% to 53% Trend

Criminal legal system reforms from Georgia Governor Nathan Deal helped reduce the number and percentage of Black Georgians experiencing incarceration from 62% in 2009 to 53% in 2017.

demographics policy

GBPI FY2026 proposed budget: $1.62 billion Statistic

For Fiscal Year 2026, Governor Brian Kemp proposed a $1.62 billion budget for the Georgia Department of Corrections, $125 million higher than what was approved for FY 2025.

$1.6B

budget

Four-year trend: 44% increase in prison spending FY2022-FY2026 Trend

If the proposed FY2026 budget is passed, it would represent annual spending levels nearly $500 million higher than FY 2022, a 44% increase in prison spending from FY 2022 to FY 2026.

budget

Governor Kemp proposals total ~$500 million across AFY2025 and FY2026 Statistic

Governor Kemp's current proposals total roughly $500 million in added spending for AFY 2025 and FY 2026.

$500.0M

budget

AFY2025: $280 million for infrastructure, technology, and security Statistic

The Amended FY2025 budget includes $280 million in additional funds to support new infrastructure projects, technology upgrades and security improvements.

$280.0M

budget facilities operations

AFY2025: $66 million for healthcare contract expansion Statistic

The Amended FY2025 budget includes $66 million in additional funds to expand prison health contracts to include mental, dental, physical and pharmacy services for incarcerated Georgians.

$66.0M

budget medical

AFY2025: $17 million for workforce marketing, training, and retention Statistic

The Amended FY2025 budget includes a $17 million increase to boost marketing, training and workforce retention efforts among corrections staff.

$17.0M

budget staffing

AFY2025: $1.2 million for technical and vocational education expansion Statistic

The Amended FY2025 budget includes a $1.2 million increase to expand contracts for technical and vocational education programs and purchase related education equipment.

$1.2M

budget reentry

FY2026: $50 million for infrastructure, technology, and security Statistic

The FY2026 budget includes a $50 million increase to support new infrastructure projects, technology upgrades and security improvements.

$50.0M

budget facilities operations

FY2026: $31 million for healthcare contract expansion Statistic

The FY2026 budget includes a $31 million increase to expand prison health contracts to include mental, dental, physical and pharmacy services for incarcerated Georgians.

$31.0M

budget medical

FY2026: $23 million for staff compensation Statistic

The FY2026 budget includes $23 million in additional funds to provide salary increases and make job promotion system changes for eligible corrections staff.

$23.0M

budget staffing

GDC $5 medical co-pay for incarcerated people Policy

According to GDC's handbook, incarcerated people are charged a $5 medical co-pay for requested health services and medications that GDC deems as necessary. GDC states it will charge someone with a debt instead of denying them care if they cannot afford a co-pay.

medical conditions policy

Unaffordable co-pays deter healthcare seeking and worsen illness Finding

Unaffordable co-pays or the threat of incurring debt can carry health and fiscal consequences, including deterring incarcerated Georgians from seeking care, increasing the likelihood that illnesses can spread or worsen, and increasing the likelihood that subsequent care will be more expensive.

medical conditions

No fiscal proposals address incarcerated Georgians' healthcare access Finding

Despite proposals to add nearly $100 million over AFY 2025 and FY 2026 to increase prison health contract spending to match a rising prison population, no fiscal proposals specifically address incarcerated Georgians' ongoing prison health access challenges.

medical policy budget

Prison population as of January 31, 2025: 49,828 Statistic

According to GDC Friday Reports, the number of people incarcerated in GDC was 49,828 as of January 31, 2025.

49,828 incarcerated individuals

demographics

Multi-year effort for single-person cells and lock upgrades Finding

GDC FY2026 fiscal proposals address several acute safety and staffing issues, including a multi-year effort to create single-person cells, upgrade damaged or faulty locks across facilities, utilize added technology to combat the flow of prison contraband and increase bed capacity in private prisons.

facilities conditions contraband violence

GBPI: Criminal legal spending growth reinforced by over-policing and fines/fees dependence Finding

Georgia's accelerated pace of prison spending is in tandem with its accelerated pace of growth in criminal legal system policies that place more Georgians under carceral control and debt. This pace is also reinforced by over-policing and state and local dependence on fines and fees revenue streams tied to criminal legal system entanglement.

budget policy

GBPI Budget Primer: GDC FY2025 budget $1.5 billion Statistic

The GDC FY2025 budget totals $1.5 billion, with a year-over-year increase of $166 million from FY2024 to FY2025.

$1.5B

budget

Two-year increase FY2023 to FY2025: $214 million Statistic

The two-year budget increase from FY2023 to FY2025 totals $214 million.

$214.0M

budget

20-year cost growth: approximately 70% increase in prison operations Trend

Over the past 20 years, prison operation costs have increased by approximately 70%.

budget

Custody population approximately 51,000 in 2023 Statistic

The GDC custody population in 2023 was approximately 51,000 individuals, having largely remained unchanged over a 20-year period.

51,000 individuals

demographics

Prison population largely unchanged over 20 years despite 70% cost growth Trend

Despite a 70% increase in prison operation costs over 20 years, the custody population has largely remained unchanged over the same period at approximately 51,000.

budget demographics

FY2025 prison safety and infrastructure: nearly $52 million Statistic

The FY2025 budget includes nearly $52 million for prison safety and infrastructure.

$52.0M

budget facilities

FY2025 staff pay increases: nearly $43 million Statistic

The FY2025 budget includes nearly $43 million to increase GDC staff pay.

$43.0M

budget staffing

FY2025 health and pharmacy contracts: nearly $72 million increase Statistic

The FY2025 budget includes a nearly $72 million increase in health and pharmacy contracts.

$72.0M

budget medical

Health spending increased approximately 40% since FY2022 Trend

GDC health spending has increased approximately 40% since FY2022.

budget medical

Fees collected from incarcerated individuals: over $10 million annually Statistic

Fees collected from incarcerated individuals total more than $10 million annually for each of the last 3 years.

$10.0M

budget conditions

Daily incarceration cost: $86.61 per person (FY2024) Statistic

The daily cost of incarcerating one person in Georgia is $86.61 as of FY2024.

$86.61

budget

Annual cost per inmate: $31,612 Statistic

The annual cost of incarcerating one person in Georgia is $31,612.

$31,612

budget

Total annual operating cost for ~50,000 prisoners: ~$1.5 billion Statistic

The total annual operating cost for approximately 50,000 prisoners is approximately $1.5 billion.

$1.5B

budget

Medical costs for inmates over 65: $8,500/year vs $950/year younger Statistic

Medical costs for incarcerated individuals over 65 average $8,500 per year compared to $950 per year for younger inmates, a ratio of approximately 9 to 1.

$8,500 vs. 950 annual medical cost for younger inmates

budget medical demographics

Cost of increased length of stay: ~$1.1 billion annually Statistic

The cost of increased length of stay alone is approximately $1.1 billion annually.

$1.1B

budget policy

GDC authority: Titles 9, 17, and 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated Legal fact

The Georgia Department of Corrections operates under the authority of Titles 9, 17, and 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

legal

CoreCivic and GEO Group operate private prisons in Georgia Case detail

CoreCivic and GEO Group, Inc. own and operate select facilities in the state. Like state prisons, these facilities are typically reserved for felony offenders with more than one year of incarceration to serve.

facilities

RSAT is a nine-month intensive substance abuse program Policy

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Centers operate a nine-month, highly structured program targeting high risk, high needs inmates nearing release, probationers sentenced by the courts, parole revocators and other court or GDC-referred inmates who have a need for intensive substance abuse programming.

drugs reentry policy

ITF is a nine-month co-occurring disorders treatment program Policy

Integrated Treatment Facilities (ITF) operate a nine-month, highly structured program that actively combines interventions intended to address both mental health and substance abuse issues in persons with co-occurring disorders.

mental_health drugs policy

GDC reopened facility as Metro Atlanta re-entry facility Policy

GDC has reopened a state prison facility remissioned to function as a re-entry facility for the Metro Atlanta area, focusing on rehabilitating offenders to achieve recidivism reduction and accommodate re-entry needs.

reentry facilities

GDC population trend: 43,788 (Jan 2021) to 49,160 (2024) to 49,828 (Jan 2025) Trend

The GDC incarcerated population moved from 43,788 in January 2021, dipped to 42,795, then rose to 49,160 by early 2024 and 49,828 by January 31, 2025, according to GDC Friday Reports.

demographics

FY2027 food contract increases: $528,167 Statistic

For FY2027, the governor's budget includes $528,167 in increased funds for food contracts within State Prisons.

$528,167

budget conditions

FY2027 inmate assignment decision support system: $257,800 Statistic

For FY2027, the governor's budget includes $257,800 for maintenance and support of the inmate assignment decision support system under Offender Management, with $125,892 in Amended FY2026.

$257,800

budget operations

Sources

9 cited sources backing this research.

Secondary Journalism

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Number of African-Americans sent to Georgia prisons hits historic lows

B. Rankin — Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Jan 25, 2018)

Secondary Academic

GBPI: Criminal Legal Systems Budget Primer FY2025

— Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (Jan 1, 2024)

Secondary Academic

GBPI: Overview: 2025 Fiscal Year Budget for Georgia Department of Corrections

Ray Khalfani — Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (Jan 1, 2024)

Secondary Academic

GBPI: Overview: 2026 Fiscal Year Budget for the Georgia Department of Corrections

Ray Khalfani — Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (Jan 1, 2025)

Primary Official report

GDC Friday Reports

Georgia Department of Corrections — Georgia Department of Corrections

Primary Official report

GDC Profiles of All Inmates Report

Georgia Department of Corrections — Georgia Department of Corrections (Jan 1, 2024)

Primary Official report

Governor's FY2026-FY2027 Budget: Department of Corrections

Office of the Governor of Georgia — Governor's Budget Report Amended FY 2026 and FY 2027 (Jan 1, 2025)

Secondary Gps original

GPS analysis: Cost per Inmate

— Georgia Prisoners' Speak (Jan 1, 2024)

Secondary Academic

Prison Policy Initiative: The steep cost of medical co-pays in prison

Wendy Sawyer — Prison Policy Initiative (Apr 19, 2017)

Key Entities

Organizations, people, facilities, and other named entities referenced in this research.

Autry State Prison [facility]

Brian Kemp [person]

Clayton Transition Center [facility]

Coffee Correctional Institution [facility]

CoreCivic [organization]

GEO Group [organization]

Georgia Budget and Policy Institute [organization]

Georgia Correctional Industries [organization]

Georgia Department of Corrections [organization]

Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council [organization]

HB68 [legislation]

Jenkins Correctional Institution [facility]

LaGrange Transition Center [facility]

Lee Arrendale State Prison [facility]

Metro Reentry Facility [facility]

Nathan Deal [person]

Over Watch and Logistics Unit [program]

Ray Khalfani [person]

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Centers [program]

Riverbend Correctional Institution [facility]

Senate Bill 63 [legislation]

Wheeler Correctional Institution [facility]