Criminal Justice (Corrections)

passed · Georgia · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 2097: Center for Employment Opportunities Atlanta; commend

This bill is a resolution that formally recognizes and commends the Center for Employment Opportunities Atlanta for its work helping individuals reenter society after incarceration. It highlights the organization's services, which include job training, placement, and wage support that have helped hundreds of people find employment. The resolution also notes the program's success in reducing recidivism and increasing long-term job stability through partnerships with various local and state agencies. This measure does not change laws or allocate new funding but serves to honor the organization's contributions to the community.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill commends an organization reducing recidivism and aiding reentry, directly supporting criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill commends an organization providing job training, placement, and wage support to help formerly incarcerated individuals reenter the workforce.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Workforce Development

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in committee · Georgia · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 1398: Georgia Child Care Alternatives, Resources, and Education Act; Trixtian's Law; enact

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 17 of the O.C.G.A., relating to arrest by law enforcement officers generally, so as to revise provisions relating to the arrests of pregnant women; to provide that women who have been arrested are offered pregnancy testing within a certain time of detention; to provide limitations on the use and disclosure of such information; to provide for bond; to provide for bond limitations; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 42 of the O.C.G.A., relating to inmate policies, so as to revise provisions relating to the treatment during incarceration of pregnant and postpartum women; to provide for definitions; to establish certain sentencing requirements for pregnant and postpartum women; to provide for related matters; to provide for short titles; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates pregnancy testing for arrested pregnant women with privacy protections, advancing civil rights in criminal justice processing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Sentencing

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signed · Georgia · House May 5, 2026

HB 1230: Aviation; prohibit operation of unmanned aircraft systems over a place of incarceration

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding aviation, so as to prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft systems over a place of incarceration; to provide for a definition; to provide for exceptions; to require posting of signs warning of such prohibition; to provide for violations and penalties; to declare such systems contraband; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits drones over prisons to prevent contraband, enhancing correctional facility security - a core component of criminal justice reform and facility safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

passed · Georgia · Senate Mar 21, 2025

SR 434: Fountain, Myron; commend

This is a ceremonial resolution (SR 434) passed by the Georgia Senate to commend Myron Fountain, known as the "Prison Dr." The resolution recognizes his work founding the nonprofit "The Prison Dr." to mentor at-risk youth in Atlanta and Detroit, focusing on preventing incarceration through mentorship programs. It highlights his 20+ years of experience, including his own time in prison, and notes his programs have helped over 100 youth in Atlanta with an 80% success rate in reducing justice system involvement. The Senate formally commended him for his efforts and extended best wishes for his continued work.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCommends mentorship program preventing youth incarceration, aligning with recidivism reduction and reform efforts85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Georgia · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 497: Penal institutions; inmate be allowed to dress in plain clothes during trial proceedings; provide

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conditions of detention generally, so as to provide that an inmate be allowed to dress in plain clothes during trial proceedings; to provide for a penalty; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows defendants to wear plain clothes in court, promoting dignity and civil rights during trial proceedings, aligning with reform indicators.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · Georgia · House Mar 10, 2025

HR 128: Watkins, Mr. Joseph Samuel; compensate

This resolution compensates Joseph Samuel Watkins for his wrongful conviction and 22 years of incarceration following his exoneration in 2023. It directs the state to pay $1,688,527.40 total - $535,000 as an initial lump sum and the remainder as a 10-year annuity starting in 2026 - to Watkins for his losses. Watkins must sign a waiver releasing Georgia from all future claims related to his case. The resolution applies solely to Watkins and does not establish a general compensation program for exonerees in Georgia.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCompensates wrongful conviction victim, aligning with civil rights protection and criminal justice reform by addressing systemic failure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · Georgia · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 185: Correctional Institutions of State and Counties; use of state funds or resources for certain treatments for state inmates; prohibit

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to correctional institutions of state and counties, so as to prohibit the use of state funds or resources for certain treatments for state inmates; to provide for the adoption of rules and regulations by the Board of Corrections relating to such prohibitions and exceptions; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits state funds for inmate treatments, restricting rehabilitation programs which aligns with 'oppose' indicators of cutting rehabilitation services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

passed · Georgia · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SR 432: Senate Higher Education in Prison Study Committee; create

Senate Resolution 432 creates the Senate Higher Education in Prison Study Committee to examine opportunities for expanding postsecondary education in Georgia prisons. The committee, composed of six Senate members (including two bipartisan co-chairs) and four state agency representatives (like corrections and higher education officials), will study current programs, successful national models, and barriers to education access for incarcerated individuals. Its findings may lead to future legislation, but the committee itself has no authority to enact changes and will dissolve by December 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates committee to study expanding prison education, a proven criminal justice reform strategy to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation programs.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates committee to study expanding postsecondary education access for incarcerated individuals, advancing educational opportunities in higher education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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