ATLANTA (WJBF) – Recent data from Georgia’s State Board of Pardons and Paroles highlights a concerning trend: roughly 25% of people exiting the state’s justice system end up reoffending. This has sparked a renewed commitment to tackling recidivism.

Experts in criminal justice and state officials emphasize the importance of education and early intervention as key strategies to prevent former inmates from returning to prison.

The Council of State Governments reports that Georgia’s three-year felony reconviction rate is 27%, which is below the national average. However, the financial burden of repeat offenses remains significant, with each re-incarceration costing Georgia taxpayers $23,000 annually.

Pro-Civica, an Atlanta-based nonprofit, has developed an online learning platform aimed at assisting Georgians involved in the justice system, from pre-trial stages to those with prior offenses. Their mission is to reduce recidivism and facilitate successful workforce reintegration.

Caleb Morris, co-founder and civic educator at Pro-Civica, advocates that early intervention is crucial in making a positive impact on these individuals’ lives.

“We try to look at the preventative measures for those first and second-time offenders… so they can see there’s a better opportunity for them,” Morris said.

Pro-Civica’s curriculum includes drug awareness, theft prevention, and anger management, all aimed at helping individuals make informed decisions once released.

The Georgia Department of Corrections currently operates 35 state prisons and houses nearly 50,000 felony offenders statewide.