California’s ‘Prisneyland’ Shows One Death vs Georgia’s 333 Prison Deaths

California's rehabilitation-focused 'Prisneyland' model recorded one death and two use-of-force incidents at Valley State Prison, while Georgia's punishment-first system saw 333 deaths in 2024 alone, including over 100 homicides. The stark contrast highlights how California's $239 million investment in education and dignity produces safer outcomes than Georgia's $1.6 billion in new walls and isolation units.

Key Facts

1. Valley State Prison recorded one death and only two use-of-force incidents in the most recent reporting year under California's rehabilitation model
2. Georgia's prison system recorded 333 deaths in 2024, with more than 100 homicides and thousands of assaults according to DOJ findings
3. California is spending $239 million to transform San Quentin into a rehabilitation center while Georgia spends over $1.6 billion on new construction
4. Norway's rehabilitation-focused prisons achieve 20% recidivism rates compared to roughly 65% in the U.S.
5. Georgia's new construction includes a $24 million 126-bed 'hardened' unit at Hays State Prison and a $451 million 3,000-bed mega-prison

Quotables

For the first time in my life, I feel human again

We go home safer because this place runs on respect

What’s New

• First direct comparison of death rates between California's rehabilitation model (1 death) and Georgia's punishment-first system (333 deaths in 2024)
• Reveals California's $239 million rehabilitation investment produces dramatically safer outcomes than Georgia's $1.6 billion in prison construction

Accountability

Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner and state legislators approving $1.6 billion in construction while California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation demonstrates safer, cheaper alternatives

Reporting Leads

1. Request Georgia DOC's 2024 death and violence statistics for facility-by-facility comparison with California data
2. Interview Georgia correctional officers about working conditions versus California staff testimonials on safety improvements
3. Examine budget documents comparing Georgia's $1.6 billion construction costs with California's $239 million rehabilitation investment

Related Assets

• DOJ Findings Report on Georgia Prisons
• CDCR Valley State Prison Report
• Georgia's Hardened Solution Investigation