Gov. Deal Wants New Focus on Inmate Rehabilitation

In a recent speech in downtown Atlanta, Deal appeared to get emotional talking about a program that places prisoners at the governor mansion to work as servers and meal prep workers.

“I’ve had the opportunity to help some of them as they’ve left…find a job…invariably the employer who’s willing to take that chance comes up to me and says if you’ve got some more like that, send them my way.”

Deal said he intends to work with community leaders and state lawmakers in coming months to develop ways to better prepare former inmates for life after prison. 

According to state figures, one out of every three released prisoners are back in prison within three years.

“We’re going to try to do better within the prison system of giving them a chance to earn GEDs or hopefully perhaps even a regular high school diploma…of being able to acquire skills that are marketable and then of course be able to transition back to become productive members of our society.”

He says the plan could include funding for education programs and incentives for employers.

Meanwhile, Deal is expected to sign legislation tomorrow that allows judges more flexibility when sentencing youth offenders. It also boosts community based programs as an alternative to incarceration.