Georgia – Together with the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp made an announcement revealing a set of broad recommendations for the state’s prisons system. These recommendations form part of a strategic plan developed by Carter, Goble Lee (CGL), in association with The Moss Group and Guidehouse, Inc.
The ideas will direct more than $372 million of a total $600 million investment scheduled for the budgets for the Amended Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2026. Following Governor Kemp’s dedication to strengthen law enforcement and corrections since his term started, which has seen over $1.6 billion directed into public safety projects, this campaign highlights a major endeavor to improve public safety.
“Public safety is the number one priority of state government, and that is why we have taken a comprehensive and deliberate approach to strengthening law enforcement and improving our corrections system,” said Governor Brian Kemp.
“Today’s announcement is the latest step we’ve taken to ensure Georgia’s communities remain safe, but it will not be the last. Along with our legislative partners in the General Assembly, I look forward to delivering on these historic improvements.”
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Under the direction of Guidehouse, the comprehensive study included staff meetings, extensive site visits to many state prisons, current prisoners, and other stakeholders. The evaluation sought to identify current operational strengths and areas of development to increase effectiveness and efficiency inside the prison system.
“On behalf the entire GDC team, I want to express our gratitude to Governor Kemp, the members of the study committees and the Guidehouse team for their collective commitment to ensuring a thorough evaluation of current challenges facing our agency as we continue to seek ways to improve public safety and better our effectiveness in delivering on the mission to keep Georgians safe,” said GDC Commissioner Oliver.
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Sen. Blake Tillery, chairman of Senate Appropriations, discussed particular steps required to modernize the jail system, including cutting cell phone signals inside prison walls to stop unauthorized communication. Tillery emphasizes the need of giving the general public, staff, prisoners, and employee safety a top priority.
Among the key budget and non-budgetary recommendations outlined were significant salary increases for correctional staff, with a four percent raise for correctional officers and an eight percent raise for behavioral health counselors to enhance recruitment and retention. More staff would help to enhance the staff-to-offender ratio; a focused marketing campaign would help to find new officers; and training program upgrades would help to improve the quality of current officers.
In order to better control the inmate number the plan also calls for significant infrastructure expenditures including emergency repairs, facility maintenance, and building of new modular units. An allocation of $40 million is designated for the planning and design of a new prison facility.
These suggested improvements seek to improve the general level of public safety across Georgia as well as strengthen the operational capacity of the prisons. Together with Guidehouse, the GDC is poised to carry on this cooperative endeavor guaranteeing the efficient application of these policies and continuous enhancement of the state’s prison system.
