Concerns are being raised about Georgia’s significantly high incarceration rate, exceeding the national average by a staggering 2.5 times. With 881 individuals incarcerated per 100,000 people, including those in prisons, jails, immigration detention, and juvenile justice facilities, Georgia faces mounting pressure to address its criminal justice system.

As of August 2024, the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) houses approximately 49,000 inmates, with a concerning figure of nearly 10,000 serving life or life without parole sentences. This significant population strain comes as Georgia’s prison population has risen by 7% between 2021 and 2023. Adding to the complexity, the number of violent offenders within the GDC has also seen a notable increase, climbing by 12% since 2012.

Hays State Prison in Chattooga County currently houses over 1,100 male offenders.  The facility is a Tier I, II & STEP Down facility, meaning it houses a mix of offenders with varying security levels. Hays State Prison is comprised of 7 general population dorms, consisting of 64 beds per dorm for a total of 448 beds. One Fast Track building housing 256. There are six Tier II dorms consisting of 218 beds and 3 Tier I dorms with 160 beds. The outside fire station has 10 beds and the infirmary has 9 beds.

Experts believe that a multi-faceted approach, including sentencing reform, rehabilitation programs, and addressing racial disparities, is necessary to create a more just and equitable criminal justice system in Georgia.