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The Georgia Committee for Prison Reform GACPR
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The State of Georgia tops the list with the highest "per-capita" rate of incarceration and supervision in the entire world. Georgia continues its centuries-long penal traditions today with laws and policies that harm all of its citizens, their families, and the State's economy.
"Aboard a Slave Ship",
1829, eyewitnesstohistory
?"Of the 13 colonies in North America who received 'slave ships' of British criminals in the 17th and 18th centuries, the largest penal colony was in Georgia, which opened in 1732." Georgia lags far behind in reforms being initiated across our Nation relating to criminal justice, sentencing, prison, parole, and re-entry of ex-prisoners into society. Georgia incarcerates its citizens at alarming rates and has most of them serve enormous amounts of time in comparison to sanctions found effective in other states. With minimal rehabilitative efforts, Georgia prisoners are released after being warehoused for many years and then often face insurmountable legal and policy based barriers to re-integration back into society as productive citizens. Although our organization's goals and desires are broad, our fundamental focus is on needed reforms in Georgia's criminal justice and prison/parole related systems. See our Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, Mission Statement, and GACPR Initiatives for detailed information.In April 2004, GACPR was formally founded by an initial group of prisoners and parolees. Individuals who have been in the belly of the beast and who speak from first-hand experience. GACPR offers to the reform debate, not merely opinions, but personal experience combined with well researched ideas and solutions. Our growing membership is comprised of a diverse grouping of interested citizens from every walk of life and economic status. As an organization, we are a newcomer to a field that many have tilled for years with little thanks, through ministries, rights organizations, and aftercare services. GACPR will not duplicate the work of such groups. GACPR wishes to be helpful to all such groups who are working to improve Georgia's criminal justice system through their much valued efforts. We are different in that we are unabashedly POLITICAL. Our principal purpose is to influence the legislative and administrative processes which are at the root of Georgia's need for reform in our areas of interest. We seek to change public policies and laws in Georgia through research, public education, and grass roots organization. Please join us, your membership and participation are essential to success
Officials urge legislators to not close prison 5 Experts Doubt Guilt of Man Who Served 10 years GA's 'two-strikes' law little effect on crime Parole Member/ Sexual Harassment History GA's Iron-fisted sentencing strategy shows signs of rust ABA Cites Over-Reliance on Incarceration GA Felons' voting rights assailed
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