Fiscal year 2016 annual report

SECOND DRAFT REWORK 2016 Annual Report

Letter from the Commissioner
On behalf of more than 10,000 employees of the state's largest law enforcement agency, it is with pleasure that I present the Georgia Department of Corrections' Fiscal Year 2016 report. Highlighting the Department's continuing efforts in offender rehabilitation, this report is a landmark on the trail blazed by Governor Nathan Deal toward substantial and meaningful criminal justice reform.
In the past year, Georgia has continued to lead the way as a model for criminal justice reform throughout the nation. We continually evaluate our processes and programs and adjust them to best meet the needs of our offenders, and their families. Every day, our work is done with the knowledge that we are accountable to the citizens of Georgia for protecting the public by operating secure and safe facilities while reducing recidivism through effective programming, education, and healthcare, and we are committed to achieving that mission.
We continue to develop new programs and opportunities for our offenders in partnership with the Technical College System of Georgia, expanding educational programs, job skills training and evidence-based programming, that's preparing offenders to be productive members of society upon their release from prison. In FY 2016, we've witnessed some of the first graduates of the welding and diesel mechanic programs begin their lives as returning citizens. With marketable skills in high-demand job fields, these graduates are now able to return to their communities with stable employment, good wages, and the chance to contribute to society in meaningful ways as responsible citizens.
FY 2016 saw another educational milestone, with the distribution of Georgia Offender Alternative Learning devices as a tool to increase educational opportunities outside the traditional classroom. With a library of thousands of educational videos and resources at their fingertips, every offender now has the opportunity to learn new skills and better their education, no matter when, or where they are located.
A key ingredient in successful offender rehabilitation and reducing recidivism is family inclusion. Family relationships are key components in predicting repeat criminal behavior and research suggests that strong family ties produce lasting impacts and often deter future incidents of crime. Recognizing this, GDC created the Citizen's Advisory Panel. This 15person board is comprised of family members and loved ones of incarcerated individuals and provides valuable input to help us make our programs and policies more effective for offenders and their families. We increased our support of offender family relationships by partnering with organizations with programs designed to strengthen family ties.
I am proud of the continual progress we are making and see it as a reflection of our core values of Professionalism, Responsibility, Integrity, Dependability, and Effectiveness. These values are the foundation upon which GDC employees work and conduct themselves, and our continued success relies upon them. I look forward to the department achieving even greater things in the coming year.
Commissioner Homer Bryson

FY 2016 Annual Report

Board of Corrections
The Board of Corrections is comprised of 19 members, as of January 2013, one in each congressional district in the state and five at large members. The Governor appoints all members, subject to the consent of the State Senate, to staggered five-year terms.
The Board develops rules governing the conduct and welfare of employees under its authority; the assignment, housing, feeding, clothing, treatment, discipline, rehabilitation, training and hospitalization of all inmates under its custody.
The members serve on the following committees: Budget/Utilities, Correctional Industries/Food & Farm, Education/ Recidivism, Facilities, Health Services and Nominations. The Board of Corrections is a policy-making statutory board and has legal status only as a board. The operation and management of the GDC institutions, and facilities are the responsibility of the Commissioner.

FIRST DISTRICT Tommy M. Rouse
SECOND DISTRICT Alton Russell (Secretary)
THIRD DISTRICT Duke Blackburn
FOURTH DISTRICT Sonja Allen-Smith
FIFTH DISTRICT Andrea Shelton

SIXTH DISTRICT Carl Franklin
SEVENTH DISTRICT Vacant
EIGHTH DISTRICT Jerry Willis
(Vice Chairman)
NINTH DISTRICT Stacy Jarrard
TENTH DISTRICT Mac Collins

ELEVENTH DISTRICT Roger Garrison
TWELFTH DISTRICT Wayne Dasher
THIRTEENTH DISTRICT Bruce Hudson
FOURTEENTH DISTRICT John Mayes

MEMBERS AT LARGE W.D. Strickland Patterson, GA
Lee Anderson Grovetown, GA
Rose Williams (Chair) Gray, GA
Larry E. Haynie Villa Rica, Georgia
Rocio Woody Dunwoody, Georgia

FY 2016 Annual Report

Workforce

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2016, the number of Full-Time Employees (FTE) was 9,767, bringing the Department's total to below 10,000 employees for the first time in decades. The major reason for the dramatic reduction in FTE staff was the loss of 964 Probation Officers to the newly created Department of Community Supervision (DCS), which became operational on July 1, 2015. Although these Probation Officers remained under the Department's administrative responsibility for personnel actions and functions through FY 2016, they were operationally assigned to DCS, and therefore were not counted in the Department's overall FTE workforce numbers.

During FY 2016, Correctional Officers comprised the largest segment of the GDC workforce, accounting for over 78% of the sworn security staff within the Department. Correctional Officer staff averaged 36 years of age and were 53% female. Other sworn security and non-security staff averaged 40 years of age and were 55% female.
During FY 2016 the Correctional Officer average vacancy rate was 14.95%, while the annual turnover rate was 31.55%. The overall Departmental turnover rate was 23.10%. Correctional Officer retention and recruitment remains an operational necessity and strategic focus of the Department.

Department of Corrections Full-Time Employee (FTE) Workforce History

FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015

Correctional Officers

7,133

6,794

6,632

6,471

6,383

6,124

Probation Officers

1,438

1,505

1,484

1,465

1,486

1,466

Other Sworn Staff

1,458

1,402

1,363

1,391

1,410

1,422

Non-Security Staff

2,640

2,509

2,604

2,552

2,542

2,567

Total FTE Staff

12,669 12,210 12,083 11,879 11,821 11,579

FY2016 5,587
* 1,566 2,614 9,767

July 1, 2015, the newly created Department of Community Supervision took over operational control of probation and parole community supervision.

The following table provides the Department's history of employee retirements, by Fiscal Year.

Retirement

FY2010 329

FY2011 404

FY2012 387

FY2013 535

FY2014 345

FY2015 371

FY2016 287

Training
During FY 2016, the Office of Professional Development implemented several new and improved field and leadership development training initiatives throughout the state. Improved training programs focused on contraband screening and interdiction, advanced Perimeter Officer Certification Program, and statewide Taser Certification training which significantly enhanced the security in and around the Department's facilities, while creating a safer environment for the offenders and staff. Implementation of a new Leadership Training Model to coincide with the Department's career ladder will greatly enhance the professional development of Correctional Officers and staff for future positions within the organization.
The Georgia Corrections Academy's Basic Correctional Officer Training Program (BCOT) graduated 2,094 cadets, maintaining a steady flow of well-trained and qualified Correctional Officers to Department's facilities statewide.

Criminal Justice Reform

FY 2016 Annual Report

Inmate Population and the Effects of Criminal Justice Reform

56,000

55,000 54,000 53,000 52,000 51,000

54,895 54,389
HB 1176 52,837

54,273 53,637

52,998

HB 349
HB 1176 - Weight Based Drug Sentencing
Phase I - July 2013 Phase II - July 2014

52,131
51,547 SB 365

50,000

52,277

52,177

51,848

52,004 SB 367

49,000

Prison Population

House Bill 1176 (2012): Focused on sentencing and prison admissions, prison length of stay, parole, and community supervision.
House Bill 349 (2013): Departure from mandatory minimum sentences; implementation of Georgia Prisoner Reentry Initiative (GAPRI); and created the Georgia Criminal Justice Reform Commission.
Senate Bill 365 (2014): Focused on post-incarceration reforms suggested by the Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform; developed and implemented program to assist with reentry; provided liability protection to employers of former inmates; and established the Governor's Office of Transition, Support & Reentry.

House Bill 310 (2015):
Created new agency, Department of Community Supervision, which merged all community supervision from GDC, Pardons and Paroles, and Department of Juvenile Justice. Governor Nathan Deal signed HB 310 into law on May 7, 2015.
Senate Bill 367 (2016):
Provided for comprehensive reform for offenders entering, proceeding through, and leaving the criminal justice system to promote offender's successful reentry into society; benefit the public, and enact reforms recommended by the Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform. It further created "Operating Under the Influence" (OUI) court divisions and family treatment court divisions, and provided oversight of and composition change of the Council of Accountability Court Judges of Georgia. Governor Nathan Deal signed SB 367 into law on April 27, 2016.

FY 2016 Annual Report

The Inmate Population, Commitments & Admissions

POPULATION

GDC Custodial

FY

Population

2010

60,918

2011 2012* 2013 2014 2015 2016

61,245 60,717 58,647 56,203 57,063 56,945

Inmate Population
52,291 53,341 57,570 55,245 53,131 53,870 54,026

COMMITMENTS & ADMISSIONS

FY 2010 2011 2012* 2013 2014 2015 2016

Total Prison Commitments
21,834 20,574 19,780 18,444 18,576 18,775 18,472

Total Prison Admissions
19,335 21,095 21,402 20,058 19,032 18,561 18,450

Violent Admissions
6,814 7,635 7,793 7,485 7,308 7,074 7,431

Non-Violent Admissions
12,521 13,460 13,609 12,573 11,724 11,487 11,019

All Populations are as of the last day of the fiscal year (June 30)
GDC Custodial Population consists of all active offenders under GDC jurisdiction, including probationers and parolees, housed in GDC facilities. It also includes offenders in Georgia jails who have been sentenced to state custody and are awaiting transfer to a GDC facility
Inmate Population consists of only those active offenders with Scribe status of INMATE, including those Out to Court, Reprieves, Conditional Transfers, Escapes, and sentenced awaiting transfer to a GDC facility.
* Inmate population growth in FY11 FY12 can be attributed to 2,650 additional private prison beds coming online
Commitment - when an offender receives a prison sentence from the court
Admission - when an offender enters the Georgia prison system.

RELEASES

FY 2010

Total Prison Releases
21,872

2011

21,343

2012

19,623

2013

21,303

2014

20,629

2015

17,816

2016

18,131

Max Out
7,766 7,400 7,087
* 7,518 7,048 7,511

Parole and Probation
12,481 10,642 10,711
* 11,242 9,178 9,083

Reprieve
1,641 1,301 1,841
* 1,874 1,597 1,537

Information based on FY 2016 Statistical Profiles

Admissions are not the same as Commitments. Commitments are a truer measure of sentencing without influence. Admissions factor in the ability or inability of the state to receive inmates into the prison system based on current prison occupancy rates
Violent Offender - Any offender who has a major offense of a violent or sexual nature
Non-Violent Offender - Any offender who has a major offense that is not of a violent or sexual nature
* Inmate release data for FY 2013 is unavailable due to errors created during the data migration from OTIS to SCRIBE

The Inmate Composition

FY 2016 Annual Report

Age Range Under 20
20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 + Not reported Overall

AGE
Number 774
15,730 16,312 11,000 7,175 2,292
569 174 54,026

Percentage 1.4% 29.1% 30.2% 20.4% 13.3% 4.2% 1.1% 0.3%
100.0%

93%
MALE

GENDER

7%
FEMALE

Black White Hispanic Asian Other Overall

RACE

Number 32,883 18,882 1,999
170 92 54,026

Percentage 60.9% 34.9% 3.7% 0.3% 0.2% 100.0%

VIOLENT VS. NON-VIOLENT
67%
VIOLENT
33%
NON-VIOLENT

MAJOR OFFENSE TYPE

Major Offense Number Percentage

Violent

27,323

50.6%

Sexual Property

8,376 9,396

15.5% 17.4%

Drug

6,314

11.7%

Habit/DUI

124

0.2%

Others

2,493

4.6%

Overall

54,026

100.0%

LIFE, LIFE W/O PAROLE, DEATH
8,809 Inmates

7,524
LIFE

1,224
LIFE W/O PAROLE
61
DEATH

Information based on Inmate Statistical Profile, published July 1, 2016

FY 2016 Annual Report
Inmate Characteristics
Characteristics of a typical Georgia Department of Corrections sentenced inmate

Male
Average age is 37.8 years, with the largest age group being between the ages of 30--39 (30%)
The largest group are Black (62%), unmarried ( 72%) with 1 child or less (63%)
60% self-report they are Baptist
29% come from the Atlanta Metropolitan area (8 counties with populations of over 200,000)
45% were employed full-time before incarceration
56% are serving their first incarceration in Georgia, while 25% have served 2 or more times in Georgia
81% are new sentence, with 82% serving in a Medium or Minimum security facility
19% entered prison as parole/probation violators in FY 2016
Average age at Admissions was 32.4 years
31% have a high school diploma or GED, while 59% have less than a 12th grade education

Female
Average age is 37.7 years, with the largest age group being between the ages of 30--39 (35%)
The largest group are White (57%), unmarried (53%) with 1 child or less (56%)
75% self-report they are Baptist
26% come from the Atlanta Metropolitan area (8 counties with populations of over 200,000)
34% were employed full-time before incarceration
72% are serving their first incarceration in Georgia, while 14% have served 2 or more times in Georgia
79% are new sentence, with 94% serving in a Medium or Minimum security facility
21% entered prison as parole/probation violators in FY 2016
Average age at Admissions was 34.3 years
35% have a high school diploma or GED, while 44% have less than a 12th grade education

Information based on Inmate Statistical Profile, published July 1, 2016

FY 2016 Annual Report
Facilities Division
The Facilities Division is responsible for the direct supervision of all offenders sentenced to the Department, and operates the state's 67 adult correctional facilities, while overseeing the custody of state inmates by contract at one of the 23 county prisons or four private prisons. The division maintains and operates secure and safe facilities, while providing a healthy environment for offenders to engage in meaningful work, academic education, vocational training, and rehabilitative programs throughout their confinement.
There are three Regional Offices within the Facilities Division, which allows for the decentralization of operations. Regionalizing operations returns the agency to a time tested, effective formula for the optimal management of over 60 facilities and 9,700 staff across the state of Georgia.
Facilities Division Responsibilities
Oversight of the functions of: Field Operations
- State Prisons - Transitional Centers - Probation Detention Centers - Parole Revocation Center - County Corrections Institutions - Private Prison Monitors Special Operations Offender Administration Sex Offender Administration Communications Center Life Safety/Fire Services Inmate/Medical Transportation

Physical Utilization Rates

Facility Type State Prisons

Physical Utilization
95.30%

Transitional Centers Probation Detention Centers Parole Revocation Center

98.40% 84.20% 87.50%

RSATs and ITFs County Institutions* Private Prisons*

94.80% 95.70% 98.90%

* Contract facilities monitored by GDC

Facilities Division
Top Accomplishments in FY 2016

FY 2016 Annual Report

Establishment of Georgia's first Evidenced Based Prison
In January 2016, Lee State Prison was designated Georgia's first Evidence Based Prison. The facility utilizes research-based methods to reduce recidivism as well as improve offender behavior and staff practices. Methods include offering evidence-based offender programs, cultural changes in staff management, and overall changes in the everyday operations of the facility. Additionally, work with local community partners increases offender opportunities to return to their families and communities as productive citizens. Since the full program began in April 2015, disciplinary reports have dropped 46% and grievances have dropped 51%. Additional programs in trauma training, positive sanctions for pro-social behavior, and an alternative negative behavior management process will begin in fiscal year 2017.
Establishment a Women's Reentry/Faith and Character Based Prison
Emanuel Women's Facility was re-missioned as a Reentry/Faith and Character Prison for women. Female offenders near the end of their sentence, participate in a variety of new reentry and "Family Reunification" programs, designed to improve their likelihood of successful transition back into their community.

Reduction in Case Processing and Assignment Times
Using the Electronic Portal (E-Portal) system, Offender Administration received 29,182 E-Sentence documents in FY 2016. Upon verification and document processing completed, inmates spent an average of only eight days in jail before transport to prison. Efficiencies in offender processing due to the E-Portal has reduced the time inmates remain in jails awaiting pick-up from 20 or more days, to 7-10 days. This reduction in case processing and assignment time resulted in the Department paying only $660.00 in jail subsidy payments in FY 2016, as compared to over $1.0 million in FY 2014. Additionally, expansion of the E-Portal system to handle in-take of juvenile cases has improved case processing efficiency between GDC, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles.

BEYOND THE WALLS
Lt. Alima Mims,
Augusta Fire Department
Alima Mims became part of the inmate firefighter program and upon his release was hired by Augusta Fire Department. He is now a Lieutenant in charge of training, and serves as an instructor for both Tennessee and Georgia Fire Academies.

Expanded Inmate Life Safety/Fire Services
In April 2016, Fire Services opened a new Fire Station at Smith State Prison, manned entirely by offenders serving life sentences. Additionally, during FY 2016, 107 inmates were trained and tested in Fire Fighter I and II Certification, HazMat (Hazardous Materials) Awareness, and HazMat Operations, while prison fire stations responded to 2,706 emergency calls in the cities and counties surrounding GDC prisons. Fire Services continued to upgrade equipment in FY 2016 to include procurement of two replacement vehicles, additional fire apparatus, two breathing air systems, and Edraulic Hurst rescue tools.

Facilities Division
Top Accomplishments in FY 2016

FY 2016 Annual Report

Conducted Unannounced Controlled Shakedowns
The Special Operations conducted 16 unannounced, controlled shakedowns in state prisons. These shakedowns resulted in the confiscation of 804 weapons, 1,583.16 grams of tobacco, 286 cell phones, 2,060.13 grams of drugs, and 41 Green Dot cards. Controlled shakedowns continue to be an integral part of the Department's contraband interdiction efforts, and are essential to ensuring that our facilities secure and safe for our staff,
Enhancements to Transitional Center Operations
To effectively and efficiently track work release offenders at Georgia's Transitional Centers, a prototype Resident Accountability System using biometric identification was deployed in select facilities. Phase 1 was completed in June 2016, and the system should be fully functional in all Transitional Centers by end of calendar year 2016. Additionally, residents at all of the state's 13 Transitional Centers (TC) were given the opportunity to carry a cell phone in an effort to improve timely communication between the center staff and the residents, while they are at work, as well as giving them the ability to communicate with family, employers, and community partners at any time, in order to strengthen family bonds and prepare for successful reentry. As a result of these and other operational enhancements, absconds in Transitional Centers have been reduced for the fourth straight year to a record low of 50; down from 99 in FY 2012. Total absconds for all centers and County CI's dropped from 99 in FY 2015 to 64 in FY 2016.
Implementation of Conducted Electronic Weapons (CEW)
Initial deployment of Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEW), more commonly known as tasers, was conducted at 13 prison facilities during FY 2016. The purpose for the CEW is to assist officers in quickly defusing situations between offenders or other officers, thus reducing injury to offenders and staff and to serve as a deterrent to hands on force by offenders. Further evaluation of CEW usage will continue, as well as deployment of CEWs in the remaining state prisons.
Improved Case Processing
Case processing improvements for probation alternatives have significantly lowered Probation Residential Substance Abuse Treatment program wait time and Probation Detention Center wait times by over 75%.
In FY 2016, the Centralized Transportation Unit made:
2,598 Security Transports moving 77,138 offenders
Conducted 6,840 medical transports
Moved 19,744 inmates to various other appointments
Saved 1,154,655 travel miles through consolidated transports

Facilities Division
Top Accomplishments in FY 2016

FY 2016 Annual Report

College Degree Program at Arrendale State Prison
In collaboration with Life University, a fully accredited Associates of Arts degree (A.A.) in an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum entitled "Positive Human Development and Social Change" will be
Inmates and staff must meet all requirements for admission as a regular degree-seeking student. Tuition for inmates will be covered through grant dollars, while full and half scholarships will be offered to correctional officers and staff.
The plan is for students to take 2-3 courses per quarter in subjects like psychology, sociology, English and math taught on site by Life University faculty. The program will begin with a total of 15 students and will take 2 1/2 years to complete. If students continue for a Bachelor's Degree, an additional 2 years will be required.
The initial 15 inmates have been identified and the inaugural class is scheduled to begin in July 2016.
Contraband Interdiction
Contraband remains one of the # 1 issues within prisons. In FY 2016, the Department continued to implement and access increased contraband interdiction measures and procedures, by installing additional cell sense and screening devices, as well as installing additional perimeter netting at Wilcox, Dooly and Central State Prisons. These measures, coupled with the continued hardening/upgrade of the infrastructure of facilities, and increased emphasis on conducting un-announced Shake-Downs and physical inspections at facility entrances, has significantly enhanced the security of our facilities from contraband introduction, while increasing safety for the inmates and staffs.
Contraband is a national issue within the Corrections system
FY 2016 contraband seizures/incidents totals were: 8,222 cell phones found 1,191 drug seizures 6,799 weapons confiscated 110 incidents of contraband Throw-Overs* 226 individuals arrested for contraband
*Contraband thrown over perimeter fencing at state facilities

Facilities Division
Top Accomplishments in FY 2016

FY 2016 Annual Report

Creation of the Citizens Advisory Panel
In mid 2015, the Citizens Advisory Panel was formed to create safe, open lines of communication between inmate families, concerned citizens, and the Georgia Department of Corrections. The advice and feedback help families and the Georgia Department of Corrections identify resources, improve processes, resolve problems, and improve the overall experience for offenders and their families. The Panel consists of a mixture of ex- offenders, immediate family members (siblings, parents and spouses) of offenders, and GDC's Senior Leadership team.
Recommendations this fiscal year have resulted in significant improvements to the visitation process, making it more "family friendly" and shortening in-processing and approval time. Social media recommendations have helped the Department provide critical information to families concerning visitation guidelines, funds transfers, and up to the minute updates on visitation schedules at facilities. "Family Days" are now scheduled throughout the State four times per year to allow all families easier access to corrections officials without having to travel long distances. The panel has also provided valuable feedback on food service, inmate education and programming, and
transitional / reentry services.

BEYOND THE CALL
CO Donovan Murray & Lt. Robert Shuman
The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) honored Officer Donovan Murray of Rogers State Prison and Lt. Robert Shuman of Georgia State Prison as Employees of the Year
Officer Murray and Lt. Shuman were responsible for the supervision of more than 200 offenders and approximately 30 Security staff on the Rogers State prison farm, which ranges over 9,400 acres. Both Murray and Shuman were instrumental in the recovery and prevention of 327 cell phones, 289 pounds of tobacco, and a little over eight pounds of illegal drugs from entering their facility. In addition, they aided in the search and capture of three escapees.

FY 2016 Annual Report

Inmate Services Division

The Inmate Services Division is responsible for overseeing the operations of Academic and Vocational Education, Chaplaincy, Risk Reduction Services, Transitional/Reentry Services, Health Services, and Substance Abuse Treatment programs provided throughout the Department's facilities. These areas are critical to Governor Nathan Deal's criminal justice reform and prison reentry initiative. Additionally, the medical treatment of our inmates is vital to the Georgia Department of Corrections' mission of running safe and secure facilities.

Academic Education Research shows that "offenders who participated in education programs while incarcerated showed lower rates of recidivism after three years"--a 29% reduction--and their "wages were higher". As 95% of offenders will one day return to the community, academic education is the cornerstone to preparing offenders for their return to society as productive citizens.
During FY 2016, educational programs were offered in all of the Department's facilities. General & Special Education programs included: Literacy, Adult Basic Education, General Education Diploma (GED) Preparation, Charter High School Program, English As a Second Language (ESL), and Braille.

Vocational Education Vocational Training prepare inmates for "work ready" employment, and include over 30 individual programs, to include the newest additions: ASE Mechanics, Bee Lab, Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Diesel Mechanic, Film/TV Production Technician, Online college courses for incarcerated Veterans, Welding, and various Apprenticeship Programs providing On-theJob (OJT) training and work experience.
The Department partnered with technical colleges throughout the state to provide certification training to our inmate population. Colleges included Central Georgia Technical College, Middle Georgia State University, Albany Technical College, Wiregrass Technical College, and Ogeechee Technical College.

Key outcomes in FY 2016:
Average monthly enrollments in FY 2016 was 5,624, an 11% increase over FY 2015 figures
A total of 1,224 GED were completed, topping the goal of 1,000 by over 18%
The Charter School Program allowed 38 offenders to obtain a High School diploma. GDC has two charter school programs: Lee Arrendale State Prison (Alto, GA) and Burruss Correctional Training Center (Forsyth, GA)
High School Diploma & GED Completions

In FY 2016, 4,481 inmates completed Vocational & OJT programs. Vocational enrollment remained relatively steady, while OJT enrollments increased by nearly 42% over the previous FY.

Average Monthly Vocational/On-the-Job Enrollments

2500
2234

2000

1811

1500

1284 1305

1000

FY 15 FY 16

Charter High School Completions GED Completions

500

1224

0

Vocational

OJT

478
19 FY 2015

38 FY 2016

Study shows that for every dollar spent in correctional education, there is a future savings of 5 dollars
Rand Corporation, 2014

Inmate Services Division

FY 2016 Annual Report

Alternative Learning Devices Starting in FY 2016, the Department began distribution of the Georgia Offender Alternative Learning (GOAL) devices to the offender population to assist with providing educational programming. These tablets store electronic educational material, thus providing all offenders, even those within restricted housing, the ability to access their educational programming. Initial roll-out of the GOAL devices was to all female offenders, followed by issue within four male facilities.

Offenders can load over 7,000 educational programs onto their GOAL device from a secure kiosk, as well as purchasing music, videos/movies, video visit sessions and limited email. The GOAL device has no internet access and therefore, presents no threat to facility security or safety.

25,369 GOAL Devices were issued to offenders in FY 2016, with the target of having a device in every offenders hands by the end of FY 2017.

GOAL Device

In addition to the GOAL Devices, GDC uses 1,178 Chromebooks in its classrooms, using filtered internet ports to provide GDC secure access to inmates to over 50 educational websites.
During FY 2016, inmates

Downloads

618,088

Kahn Academy Videos

Chaplaincy & Volunteer Services

Chaplaincy Services provides and facilitates access to pastoral care for inmates and staff as appropriate in order to promote and establish a community of peace, hope, safety, and mutual respect, and ensures offender's First Amendment religious rights.

The Chaplaincy Unit provided:

FY 2016 Data - Chaplaincy & Volunteer Services

1,136 worship services for multireligious and culturally diverse groups attended by over 43,000 inmates
35,376 Pastoral counseling's to inmates and staff
5,172 Crisis Intervention counseling's
Recruited, trained and coordinated a 450 community volunteers
Supported 560 correctional staff and their family members

Chaplains - 55 Total
29 Full-time 10 Part-time 16 Volunteer
Monthly Volunteer Activity 2,915

Worship Services

Monthly Participation Reported

Service Count* Attendance* % of all

Protestant 626

33,260

76.17%

Catholic

74

912

2.09%

Jewish

6

6

0.01%

Islamic

294

8,112

18.58%

Other

136

1,376

Total

1,136

43,666

*Cumulative monthly totals

3.15% -

FY 2016 Annual Report

Inmate Services Division

Risk Reduction Services Risk Reduction Services partners with federal, state and county agencies as well as non-profit and community based organizations to provide research/evidence-based programs and services to reduce recidivism.

It is comprised of the following units: Assessment Cognitive-Behavioral programming Counseling Data Operations Research, evaluation, and assessment development Substance Abuse
Goals of Risk Reduction Services Provide constitutionally mandated or legally re-
quired programs Implement evidence-based programs that target
crime-producing behavior Focus on changing criminal thinking and reduc-
ing criminal behavior Standardize "best correctional practices" in
Georgia

In FY 2016, Behavioral Programs completions increased by over 33% in FY 2016 over the previous fiscal year.

20,000 18,000 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000
0

Behavioral Programs Completions
17,580 13,619

FY 15

FY16

Substance Abuse Treatment & Treatment Options
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Centers: A 9-month program targeting high risk, high needs offenders with a history of substance abuse as a crime-producing behavior. In FY 2016, 3,565 offenders were enrolled in the RSAT program, with 2,500 completing treatment.

Integrated Treatment Facilities (ITF): A 9-month program that combines interventions intended to address substance use & mental health disorders. In FY 2016, 451 offenders were enrolled in the ITF program, with 389 completing treatment.

Other Substance Abuse Programs: In addition to residential treatment options, offenders participated in several non-resident substance abuse programs, such as MATRIX Model - Early Recovery Skills, MATRIX Relapse Prevention, and Motivation for Change. Combined, almost 22,000 offenders were enrolled in the above programs, with 15,696 completing the requisite course of instruction.

70 - 80% of offenders in Georgia are under supervision for a drug-related
offense

BEYOND THE WALLS
John Turner, Welder
Overcoming a lifelong addiction to methamphetamines and crack cocaine, John Turner is a now a successful welder following completion of the Faith and Character Program and Vocational Welding Program at Walker State Prison. "Every goal that I set for myself while in prison I've achieved," he said. "Now it's time to make new ones."

FY 2016 Annual Report
Inmate Services Division
Comprehensive Health Services The Office of Health Services provides the required constitutional level of healthcare in the most efficient, costeffective, and humane manner possible, while protecting the public health interests of the citizens of Georgia. Offender healthcare is major focus area for the Department and is the second largest budget program within the Agency. The Department contracts with Georgia Correctional HealthCare (GCHC), a division of the Georgia Regents University, to provide medical care to the offender population.
The healthcare triad encompasses the physical, mental health and dental needs of the incarcerated offender population, with physical & mental health services available 24/7, while access to dental care is made through scheduled services. Mental health administrators, support staff, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, nurses and activity therapists provide the following services: psychopharmacological treatments, individual and group therapy, supportive counseling, psychoeducational services and milieu therapy.
While most facilities have an infirmary for treatment of minor medical needs, Augusta State Medical Prison is the Department's main medical facility, able to handle a wide range of medical, mental health and dental services needs. Augusta State Medical Prison also provides the long-term palliative care to terminally ill offenders through a structured, patient-centered program to address physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. Medical reprieves are considered for all offenders with terminal illness.
Another area of healthcare focus is on addressing the needs of female offenders with regard to health maintenance, pregnancy, prenatal care and contraceptive needs prior to release. Services are available to all State Prisons, Probation Detention and Transitional Centers housing female offenders/probationers.
Medical cost for those chronically or terminally ill offenders under our care represent a major portion of the healthcare budget. Healthcare costs for the Top 200 chronically/terminally ill offenders was over $14,000,000 in FY 2016. However, through the effective management of the treatment and claims for care of these same Top 200, the percentage of all claims decreased by over 39% during the same period.
The use of Tele-Medicine and Tele-Psych systems to remotely "see & treat" offenders, a significant cost avoidance in overall healthcare was experienced, while enhancing offender security and public safety.
Health Services Highlights of FY 2016:

289 Hours of Tele-Medicine $130,628 Cost Avoidance

2,154 Hours of Tele-Psych $973,608 Cost Avoidance

26 Offenders Medically Reprieves

Top 200 Percentage of Claims
decreased over 39%

7 new MH Special Needs Units Opened (350 beds)

FY 2016 Annual Report
Administration and Finance Division

The Administration & Finance Division is responsible for managing the agency's $1.2 billion budget. The division is comprised of 11 units divided into the Administration and Finance sections. The Administration section includes the Call Center, Fleet Management, Grants Management, Human Resources, and Strategic Management, while the Finance section includes Budget Services, Business Management, Business Processes, Financial Services, Fiscal Audits, and Purchasing. In FY 2016, this unit worked closely with the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) in coordinating the final transition of funding responsibility for Probation Supervision and Governor's Office of Transition, Support, and Reentry (GOTSR) programs to the Georgia Department of Community Supervision.

FY 2016 Annual Operating Budget (AOB) Appropriated by House Bill 76 State Funds: $1,168,554,593 Federal Funds: $4,594,743 Other Funds: $43,457,883 Total Funds $1,216,607,219

Breakdown by Program (HB 76):

Million

Administration

$38,785,574

Food & Farm

$28,067,166

Offender Management

$42,679,030

State Prisons

$602,138,583

Health

$207,780,194

Private Prisons

$135,395,608

Transitional Centers

$30,546,461

Probation

$98,160,324

Probation Detention Centers $33,049,279

Percent 3.2% 2.3% 3.5% 49.5% 17.1% 11.1% 2.5% 8.1% 2.7%

Program % of Total Budget

Jail Subsidy

Thousand $5,000

Percent .0004%

Cost of Incarceration (Breakdown of FY 2015 Allocation)*

State Prisons Transitional Centers Integrated Treatment Facilities Probation Detention Centers Private Prisons County Subsidy

Average Population 37,489 2,245 527 1,782 7,872 257

Cost per Offender $21,290 $15,280 $22,420 $21,847 $18,319 NA

Cost per Day (State Funds)
$54.78 $41.26 $59.55 $57.86 $48.63 $20.00

Probation Supervision Day Reporting Centers

164,297 1,586

$685 $6,273

$1.82 $17.12

* Costs include proration of Central Office costs, i.e. Commissioner's Office, Accounting, Payroll, Personnel, Inmate and Probationer records keeping, etc.