In FY08, the state of Georgia appropriated $1.2 billion to the Department of Corrections. Of these funds, $1.1 billion are state general funds, $3.1 million are federal funds and $21 million are agency funds. DOC state general funds total 5.4 percent of the state’s $20.2 billion budget. By far, the largest programs in the department are the state prisons and the health programs. The state prisons program totals $526.8 million in state general funds, 47.9 percent of the Department’s appropriation. The health program totals $195.1 million in state general funds, 17.7 percent of the department’s appropriation.
Amended fiscal year 08 request
In its amended FY08 request to the governor, the Department of Corrections is focusing on redistributing appropriations.
1. Transfer $4.7 million in state general funds received for operating costs associated with the fast track bed expansions at four prisons (Dooly, Macon, Smith and Valdosta) and use it to cover a deficit in inmate health care claims ($3.5 million) and to open 1,000 additional beds at existing state prisons ($1.2 million).
2. Convert the Athens Diversion Center to a field probation office to include the Athens Probation Office and a newly created day reporting center.
3. To transfer savings realized at D. Ray James Private Prison to offset costs associated with the 96-bed expansion at the Emanuel Probation Detention Center (PDC).
Fiscal year 09 request
The majority of the Department of Corrections’ FY09 requests are based on the department’s recently released 10-year facilities master plan. The plan, which was released in February, assessed each of the state’s 39 prisons (to determine their condition and potential for continued use) as well as how many and what type of facilities will be needed to house Georgia’s growing prisoner population. Based on this plan, the department is requesting an additional $95 million in state general funds.
• $24 million to construct 1,000 additional state inmate beds at existing County Correctional Institutions (CCI) through a grant program as allowed by OCGA § 42-2-13.
• $5.98 million to open eight day reporting centers (DRC).
• $7.3 million to pay the county subsidy for the 1,000 additional beds created in FY08A through the construction of Quonset huts at existing CCIs.
• $9.8 million for 768 Phase II fast track beds at Hays, Ware and Coastal state prisons.
• $15.8 million increase for the physical health care contract with Georgia Correctional Healthcare (GCHC) for general health care cost increases, increased catastrophic inmate health care claims and increased costs for staffing, an 8 percent increase.
• $10 million to reduce the lapse factor from 8 percent to 5.5 percent to ensure adequate staffing at facilities.
Georgia continues to struggle with a growing prison population. Last year, Georgia was reported to have the fourth fastest growing prison population in the U.S. Counting all locations, including county jails, Georgia currently has a prison population of approximately 55,000. The number of inmates has been growing at the rate of 5 percent the last few years.
Factors reported to be affecting growth include the methamphetamine explosion and Georgia’s mandatory sentencing under “2 strikes” laws.
The DOC operates 37 prisons, 20 probation detention centers, 12 diversion centers and 10 halfway houses (transitional centers).
Useful Web sites
Visit the Legislature’s home page at www.legis.state.ga.us
