The Crisis

Georgia has the fourth-highest state prison population in the country, with approximately 50,000 people incarcerated. A recent U.S. Justice Department civil investigation of state prisons warned:

"Our statewide investigation exposes long-standing, systemic violations stemming from complete indifference and disregard to the safety and security of people Georgia holds in its prisons. People are assaulted stabbed, raped, and killed or left to languish inside facilities that are woefully understaffed. Inmates are maimed and tortured, relegated to an existence of fear, filth and not so benign neglect.” The parole system is likewise flawed and arbitrary. Georgia is one of only three states that do not provide applicants with in-person hearings. Less than half of applicants are granted parole; and if their petitions are denied, inmates must wait 5 years or more to reapply."