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Annotated Bibliography: Georgia Prisons Issues and Future Improvements

Ceara H. Ordonez
Helms School of Government, Liberty University
CJUS230, Criminal Justice Research and Writing B-08
James Buckner, instructor
February 6, 2023
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Annotated Bibliography: Georgia Prisons Issues and Future Improvements

Thesis: Geogia prison violence going up, while staff in Georgia

prisons is going down. A brief walkthrough of issues and future improvements in Ga.
Prisons.

(Renaud, J. 2019) Grading the Parole Release Systems of all 50 States.

https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/grading_parole.html
Information about parole and its policies and guidelines for all states have been
explained through this data-driven article. A much better understanding of the operations and
standards of the diverse types of parole will help me to better explain my reasoning and support
my thesis statement. Data extracted from his article helps to make better-informed statements.
Over Sentencing Contributes to Mass Incarceration
(Stacker, 2022) Incarceration Rates Demographics in Georgia.
https://stacker.com/georgia/incarceration-rates-demographics-georgia#:~:text=Stacker
%20compiled%20statistics%20about%20incarceration%20demographics%20in%20Georgia,per
%20100%2C000%3A%20507%20%28%238%20highest%20among%20all%20states%29
Information about the over-sentencing and the comparisons from each state and to the country
help to give a broader idea of the situation. Stacker gave many great insights into how large
Georgia’s problem really is with mass incarceration. The ratios of different races tell of the
disparities reaching even into Georgia. This research helps to understand which races are more
affected as well.
The Overpopulation Factor in Georgia’s Prison System
(Dreams, C. & Arnold, Aja., 2023) Georgia Prison Crisis Worsens Amid Federal
Investigations. The Appeal. https://theappeal.org/georgia-prisons-crisis-doj-federal-investigation/
Help further my research on the many issues facing Georgia in the wake of a federal
investigation. While weaving through the many problems Georgia’s prison is trying to fix. It also
gives information about the after-effects of mass incarceration for the system. Brought a lot of
much-needed insight into the overpopulation factor.

The Negative Outcomes on The Prison Facilities in Georgia & Inmates

Research thus far has brought on the negative outcomes of mass incarceration. The inmates are
not the only ones to suffer in the mass incarceration era. It reaches far beyond The Inmate and
the Prison staff, into the families. Even the community is affected by Mass Incarceration.
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The Financial Drain of Mass Incarceration

Goldman, David. (2019, January 2). Audit: Private Prisons Cost More Than State-Run Prisons
In Georgia. WABE. https://www.wabe.org/audit-private-prisons-cost-more-than-state-run-
prisons-in-georgia/
This audit by Goldman in 2019 gave comparisons on the costs associated with private prisons
and will state ran prisons. Gave amounts of each per day, and comparison between the two
groups. It ties in well with my research on the financial outlook and problem associated with the
costs of running a facility in Georgia in the mass incarceration generation.
The Conditions of Georgia’s Prison and Effects on Inmates and Staff
Sharpe, S., J. (2021, September 23). Witnesses describe inhumane conditions in Georgia’s
prisons. AJC. Retrieved February 6, 2023, from https://www.ajc.com/gdpr.html
Sharpe’s article was informative on the conditions inmates must live in. It is imperative in
showing how the inmates are disregarded with obvious concerns over immediate health needs
and forced to live in deteriorating conditions. It gives a better understanding of the health
violations and civil infringements that are a daily reality for Georgia’s Inmates.
Mental and Physical Burdens Inside Georgia Prisons
Georgia Department of Corrections. (2023). Profile Mental Health [Dataset].
https://gdc.ga.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/profile_rpt_Profile_mental_health_2023_01.pdf
Stringer, S., H. (2019, March). Improving Mental Health for Inmates. American Psychological
Association. Retrieved February 6, 2023, from
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/03/mentalheath-inmates VOL 50(#3) Print Version46
These citations help further research on mental health statistics in Georgia. (GDC, 2023) This
dataset breaks down the statistics of each group: per male and female, convictions thereof, and
treatment currently receiving. While Stringer (2023) shows more of what could be improved.
Both help me further investigate the mental health of Inmates and the effects of mass
incarceration.
Safety Issues and Lack of Oversight are Major Concerns of Staff Shortages
(Sanders, K., 2021) Staff Shortages in Georgia Prisons Reach Crisis Levels. Prison Legal News.
(June1,2021). https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2021/jun/1/staff-shortages-georgia-
prisons-reach-crisis-levels/
Forrester, E.(2021). WALB Investigates: DOJ calls extreme staffing shortages a ‘persistent
problem’ in Georgia prisons. https://www.wrdw.com. https://www.wrdw.com/2021/10/15/walb-
investigates-doj-calls-extreme-staffing-shortages-persistent-problem-georgia-prisons/
Providing a further look, Research from both articles can be assimilated into my research on the
Georgia prisons and their mass incarceration. In a wealth of information gathered it will prosper
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the findings of the cause and effect of staff shortage plaguing the Georgia prison facilities. Gave
great factual support coordinated with my thesis.
Outdated Policies No Longer Prosper Georgia’s Legal System
Williams, W., D. (2021, September 24). Witnesses Slam Georgia Prison System at Legislative
Hearing. Georgia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved February 6, 2023, from
https://www.gpb.org/news/2021/09/24/witnesses-slam-georgia-prison-system-at-legislative-
hearing
Representatives held hearing on the lingering effects mass incarceration has had on the neglect
and violence levels inside the walls of Georgia prisons. It furthers my approach toward future
alternatives. Also helped me to better support my position on the devastation beyond the prison
walls and into the communities of families impacted by their inmate's family member and friends
scattered in the prisons in Georgia.
Parole Accountability and Old Classifications of inmates Produce Peripheral Violence
Hardyman, P. L., & Adams-Fuller, T. (2022, July 21). National Institute of Corrections Prison
Classification Peer Training and Strategy Session: What’s Happening with Prison Classification
Systems? September 6-7, 2000. Proceedings. National Institute of Corrections. Retrieved
February 6, 2023, from https://nicic.gov/national-institute-corrections-prison-classification-peer-
training-and-strategy-session-whats
Fuller and Handyman further provided information about the classification system process and
how it works in relation to inmate. Pairing it with my personal investigation and experience with
this issue, it helps me to delineate the harmful effect of mass incarceration in Georgia when it
comes to rushed classification. The staff shortage also contributes to the overall correction for
improper classification. Overall, it is particularly important to my findings of the Mass
incarceration issues.

Georgia Prison Polices That Need Critical Updates in Order to Slow Mass Incarceration
Quinn, D. (2020, May 18). Felony Sentencing Guidelines for Georgia. Legal Beagle.
https://legalbeagle.com/6798773-felony-sentencing-guidelines-georgia.html
Quinn ‘s informative article reiterates the policies and guidelines for Georgia’s sentencing
process. It is of major use for determining what is not working right now as far as policy is
concerned. While also giving me a broader perception of what may work well in the future. This
Article Helps to back up research into ways to incorporate future improvements inside Georgia
Prisons
Nelson, T. (2019). NET Bible, Full-notes Edition, Cloth Overboard. Gray, Comfort Print: Holy
Bible. Thomas Nelson. Proverbs 2:11
This specific verse reminds me how the Lord gives wisdom. From His very mouth comes
Knowledge and understanding. It so important as a Christian to incorporate such values into
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research and every other aspect of the criminal justice sector. Because if we merely speak
without prior research and gain knowledge of what is working and what has proven not to, then
we can only contribute to the destruction upon us. When we speak with wisdom and knowledge
of what our research and sectors pertain to, we can truly contribute to honest solutions needed to
change the mass incarceration of Georgia prisons.

Summary of Research and Ending Notes

Psalm 106:3. (2017). Christian Standard Bible. Holman Bible Publishers.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20106:2-4&version=CSB
Through this verse is what I hope to incorporate into every aspect of research and work in
general. It teaches us to be just in all we do. Injustice is an understatement on what goes on
beyond the walls of Georgia prisons, and through this information and some critical thinking, I
hope to produce new strategies in eliminating the main problems of mass incarceration in all
prison systems in Georgia.