Georgia's $40 Billion Prison Experiment Failed — Violence Soared as Sentences Got Harsher

What GPS Documented (Original Findings)

• Georgia spent $30.6 billion in direct corrections spending from 1995-2025, with total criminal justice system costs approaching $40-50 billion — Source: GPS analysis of GDC budget records and legislative appropriations
• 100 homicides occurred in Georgia prisons in 2024, compared to GDC's reported 66 — Source: GPS analysis using prisoner reports and family interviews
• Georgia's 2019 prison homicide rate was 34 per 100,000 — nearly triple the national average of 12 per 100,000 — Source: GPS analysis of DOJ data and Bureau of Justice Statistics
• Prison homicides increased 400% from 2018 to 2023 (7 to 35 homicides) — Source: GPS analysis of DOJ findings and GDC data
• Total prisoner deaths reached record 332 in 2024, up 27% from prior year — Source: GPS mortality tracking

Data source: GPS analysis of GDC Monthly Reports, DOJ findings, and family interviews

What DOJ Already Confirmed

• Constitutional violations at Georgia prisons including inadequate medical care, excessive violence, and unsafe conditions — Pages Throughout report
• Over 1,400 violent incidents documented across 24 prisons from January 2022 to April 2023 — Pages Violence section
• Correctional officer vacancy rates climbed from 18% (2018) to 60% (April 2023) — Pages Staffing section
• Nearly 20% of violent incidents involved weapons, 45% resulted in serious injury — Pages Violence analysis section

Source: DOJ Findings Report, October 1, 2024
https://gps.press/doj-report

RECORDS JOURNALISTS SHOULD REQUEST

Georgia Open Records Act:

1. "Annual GDC Budget Documents and Expenditure Reports"
   Complete budget breakdowns showing corrections spending 1995-2025
   Agency: Georgia Department of Corrections
   Date range: 1995-2025
   Expected response: 3-5 business days; fee quote likely for 30-year span
2. "Prison Homicide and Death Investigation Reports"
   All homicide incident reports, autopsy results, and death classifications
   Agency: Georgia Department of Corrections
   Date range: 2018-2024
   Expected response: 5-10 business days; may require fee for extensive records
3. "Legislative Appropriation Bills for Corrections"
   Annual appropriation bills showing corrections funding increases
   Agency: Georgia General Assembly
   Date range: 1995-2025
   Expected response: 3-5 business days
4. "Correctional Officer Staffing Reports"
   Monthly staffing levels and vacancy rates by facility
   Agency: Georgia Department of Corrections
   Date range: 2018-2024
   Expected response: 5-7 business days

Federal FOIA:

1. "DOJ Civil Rights Division investigation files on Georgia prisons"
   Agency: DOJ Civil Rights Division
2. "Bureau of Justice Statistics prison mortality data by state"
   Agency: Bureau of Justice Statistics

SOURCES AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW

Families (contact via media@gps.press):

• Families of 2024 homicide victims — Various Georgia prisons (2024)

Incarcerated Witnesses:

• Incarcerated witnesses to homicides and violence, anonymous, background only
  "One person was reported as a suicide, but prisoners there reported that the man was found hanging with two broken legs—clearly he could not have climbed up and hung himself with broken legs"
  GPS can facilitate secure communication.

Experts:

• Not available, Not available — Criminology and corrections experts on deterrence theory

OFFICIALS WHO SHOULD BE ASKED FOR COMMENT

* None have been asked for on-record comment by major media outlets.

QUESTIONS GDC HAS NOT ANSWERED

1. Why does GDC's homicide count differ significantly from GPS documentation?
2. What is GDC's plan to address the 400% increase in homicides since 2018?
3. How does GDC justify continued harsh sentencing given the violence and cost outcomes?

GPS submitted these questions via unknown on unknown . Status: No response documented

STORY ANGLES

Local:

County families affected by prison violence; local taxpayer cost burden from failed policies

Policy:

$40 billion spent with worse outcomes — what alternative policies could achieve better results for less money?

Accountability:

Officials who promoted harsh sentencing despite evidence of failure; GDC officials who may be underreporting deaths

Data:

Request and analyze 30 years of corrections spending vs. outcomes; compare Georgia death rates to other states

QUOTABLES

"The idea that you can fine-tune crime by ratcheting up sentence lengths ignores everything we know about human behavior, trauma, and opportunity."

— Georgia Prisoners' Speak, Georgia's $40 Billion Mistake

"One person was reported as a suicide, but prisoners there reported that the man was found hanging with two broken legs—clearly he could not have climbed up and hung himself with broken legs. Similar circumstances were common."

— GPS analysis of prisoner reports

SOURCE DOCUMENTS

• DOJ Findings Report on Georgia Prisons (PDF)
  https://gps.press/doj-report
• Georgia's $40 Billion Mistake - GPS Investigation (Webpage)
  http://Available%20via%20GPS
• GPS Mortality Database (Database)
  http://Available%20via%20GPS

GPS Full Investigation:
https://gps.press/the-deterrence-myth-georgias-harsh-sentencing-backfired/