Gov. Deal Signs Criminal Justice Reform Legislation

ATLANTA, GA -- On Tuesday, Gov. Nathan Deal signed three pieces of legislation designed to implement reforms in the state's criminal justice system.

The signing ceremony was held May 9 at the Department of Community Supervision Reentry Summit in Macon.

S.B. 174, S.B. 175 and S.B. 176 are based on recommendations from the Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform and build upon Deal's previous initiatives.

Deal notes the 2017 legislative package is "another meaningful step forward" in making the Peach State a safer place to call home. Additionally, the governor touts that the reforms implemented since 2009 have had a positive impact, with overall prison "commitments" down 15.4 percent through 2016.

“The bills I signed today will build upon our previous successes to strengthen the accountability court system, continue to reduce recidivism rates and provide juvenile court judges with additional tools to help young offenders," he added, thanking the sponsors of the legislation ans well as the Georgia General Assembly for its support of the reforms. "When we discuss the statutes, statistics and successes, we are ultimately considering the reclaiming of lives, the overcoming of past mistakes and the repairing of families and relationships in Georgia’s communities.”

As a result of the reforms previously given the green light by the state legislature, 67 percent of the state’s prison beds are now occupied by the most serious offenders, up from 58 percent in 2009, according to the Department of Corrections.

At the beginning of this year, Georgia had 139 accountability courts in 47 out of the 49 judicial circuits, and the number of new participants entering these courts statewide increased by 147 percent in 2016 alone.

Felony drug courts had 2,381 active participants, including many individuals who struggle with substance abuse and would likely be in a state prison if not for alternative options. In recent years, the state has reinvested $47 million in the adult system through accountability courts, vocational and on-the-job training, other reentry initiatives, and Residential Substance Abuse Treatment facilities and programs.

Specific details on legislation signed Tuesday includes:

• SB 174 ensures the sustained success of Georgia’s accountability courts and enhances the state’s probation system so that resources are focused at the front-end of terms when chances of recidivism are highest. It also implements reforms to ensure appropriate victim and prosecutorial input in the parole process.
• SB 175 aims to reduce juvenile delinquency and protect public safety when a juvenile is deemed incompetent to proceed in the judicial process. It also creates new parental accountability orders, tools for juvenile court judges to encourage increased parental involvement, which numerous studies show reduces the likelihood of delinquent conduct.
• SB 176 includes provisions to require that individuals are notified by mail prior to the issue of a bench warrant for failure to appear for a non-serious traffic offense. It also clarifies terms regarding Habitual Violator driving permits.

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