News Release - August 14, 2008
Georgia Department of Corrections
James E. Donald, Commissioner
Director of Public Affairs
Joan Heath
Contact: Office of Public Affairs (404) 656-9772
For Immediate Release
New State-of-the Art Fast Track Facilities
Arrive Just in Time to Address Budget Cuts
Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Corrections announced today completion of its new state-of-the-art Fast Track facilities scheduled to open this month. Designed to house 256 inmates, they are larger and more efficient than typical prison facilities. A total of seven new Fast Tracks are scheduled to open this year, and will be attached to existing state prisons.
Funded four years ago by the General Assembly, these facilities were designed as a method of addressing the growth in prison population and optimizing the current prison infrastructure. Fast Tracks will increase bed capacity for Georgia prisons by 1800 before the end of the fiscal year.
The new state-of-the-art fast track design features an elevated control center located in the center of four dormitories, allowing unobstructed visual observation of the entire facility. In the new design, restrooms and recreation areas are brought forward, allowing for improved observation by security staff. Doors to each dormitory recreation area can be opened automatically from the control center.
“The Department continues to pursue best practices that show that even in prisons, bigger is better. The cost savings of this design versus conventional dormitories is projected to be approximately $1 million per unit annually,” says Commissioner James E. Donald.
Because of its improved infrastructure design, the Department will be able to open each of its Fast Tracks with fewer than 25 Correctional Officers, as compared to previous designs requiring 40+ security personnel. Additionally, there is no requirement for additional food service, maintenance, administration or medical operations, as the existing infrastructure will be leveraged.
“The opening of these new Fast Tracks comes just in time to help the Department address its $66 million budget reduction, as directed by the Governor,” says Donald.
Fast Track facilities are scheduled to open this month at Macon State Prison, Dooly State Prison, and Smith State Prison. Four additional Fast Track facilities will be opening in late February at Ware State Prison, Valdosta State Prison, Hays State Prison, and Coastal Sate Prison. To view architectural renderings and photos of the new “state-of-the-art” Fast Track facilities, click here
The Department of Corrections is the fifth largest prison system in the United States and is responsible for supervising nearly 60,000 state prisoners and over 150,000 probationers. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 15,000 employees.
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