Fact sheet, facilities, 2020

FACT SHEET
FACILITIES

2020

TIMOTHY C. WARD COMMISSIONER RICKY MYRICK CHIEF OF STAFF AHMED HOLT ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FACILITIES DIVISION

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) protects the public by operationg secure and safe facilities, while reducing recidivism through effective programming, education and healthcare. GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the United States and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners within 34 state prisons, 21 county prisons, and 4 private prisons. It is the largest law enforcement agency in
the state with approximately 10,500 employees.

REGIONAL OFFICES

PHYSICAL UTILIZATION RATES

FY2017 Allocation of Cost to Inmate (State Only)

State Prisons

$61.20

Transitional Centers

$43.29

Private Prisons

$48.84

County Institutes*

$20.00

Jail Subsides*

$30.00

*$20 per day/per inmate assigned to County Correctional Institutes

*$30 per day/per sentenced inmate waiting pick-up in county jails beyond
15 days

INMATE BREAKDOWN

INMATE POPULATION & EFFECTS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
Since the first criminal justice reform bill was effective on July 1, 2012 (HB 1176), Georgia's prison population
has decreased by 3.0 percent, from 54,895 to 53,263, on July 1, 2018.

INMATE POPULATION GENDER BREAKDOWN
Males 50,253 incarcerated 92% medium or higher security 2,357 are veterans 44% have prior incarcerations in GA 40% have HS/GED education or higher
Females 3,617 incarcerated 60% medium or higher security 47 are veterans 28% have prior incarcerations in GA 55% have HS/GED education or higher

FACT SHEET
FACILITIES

2020

TIMOTHY C. WARD COMMISSIONER RICKY MYRICK CHIEF OF STAFF AHMED HOLT ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FACILITIES DIVISION

INITIATIVES
Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) - GDC complies with federal standards through the investigation of all PREA allegations. There are 57 federal audits required.
Hardening - Due to the more violent prison population and aging facilities, enhancements that would better withstand destruction by inmates (for the purposes of making weapons) were made to physical infrastructures.
Began in March 2013 at all close-security prisons Modifications:
Heavy gauge steel fixtures Wall mounted beds Updated lockers, light fixtures, heater vents and
shower doors Tier Segregation system implemented August 2013
Stratification oriented pathway for offenders to successfully transition from Administrative Segregation to lower-security levels
In 2015, began to harden large, medium-security facilities (Autry, Washington, Calhoun, Dooly, Wilcox and Johnson state prisons)
Cell Phone Interdiction To fight the growing problem of the introduction of cell phones into our facilities, GDC has implemented the following:
Front line Efforts Training - additional training on contraband detection Improved Package Screening of items coming in Enhanced Staff Screening during shift changes Assignment of K-9 to investigations unit to improve communication and coordination Establishment of clear chain-of-command Secure Evidence Storage Procedures

Lee Evidence-Based Prison Established in 2015, this two-year program utilizes evidencebased practices to determine training for staff & programming for offenders. Program is divided into four, 6-month, phases. Designed for offenders near release and those interested in programing. As of January 2019, 280 people have graduated.
Hancock Evidence-Based Prison In 2018, the evidence-based program expanded to a Level 5 facility, Hancock SP. Starting on one side of the prison (east), the program is expanding to the west side. As of January 2019, there are 576 participants.
Fire Services -19 stations in state prisons -More than 220 inmates -Responds to 3,000 calls annually
CHALLENGES
Security Staff Turnover The GDC mission has been made significantly more difficult due to the doubling of the turnover rate within the correctional officer ranks. Reducing turnover will help offset expenses, reduce legal liability and will increase experience, competency and professionalism of officers. The long-term effect of more experienced and better trained officers will be an agency better equipped to suppport the Governor's Criminal Justice Reform efforts and to fulfill its stated mission.

Technological Efforts CellSense: portable, full-body scanner to detect cell phones. Infrared cameras: detects heat signatures from objects, animals, people people 24/7. Through Body Scanners - low dosage x-ray scanner used to scan staff and visitors upon entry into a facility for the detection of contraband. Perimeter Netting - expansion of netting to stop contraband throw overs Body Orifice Security Scanner (BOSS) - detects hidden contraband

Contraband Contraband is a national issue with the Corrections system.

Walker State Prison - Faith & Character Based Program
The only male facility exclusively dedicated to Faith and
Character Based programming. Established in 2011, the
program has graduated 581 participants. The recidivism rates
for those who have successfully completed the program are as
follows: 1 year: 0.91% 3 years: 1.59% 5 years: 1.59%