Governor's Office of Transition, Support & Reentry Launch New Website

Commissioner : Brian Owens

Director of Public Affairs : Joan Heath

GOTSR Debuts Website Focusing on Reentry Efforts in Georgia

FORSYTH, Ga. - The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) in conjunction with the office of Governor Nathan Deal is pleased to announce the launch of the Governor’s Office of Transition, Support & Reentry (GOTSR) website.  The new site provides user-friendly, informative, and necessary content to assist returning citizens with reintegration into the communities after release from incarceration.

“Since taking office, I have worked with the Georgia Department of Corrections to reform our criminal justice system in order to reduce our state’s prison population and make our communities safer,” said Governor Deal. “Now, we are making these vital improvements more accessible through the new Governor’s Office of Transition, Support & Reentry website, which will allow Georgia’s rehabilitated offenders to be better prepared for the transition back to their families and into society. I’m confident that this communication portal will help ensure that all returning citizens have the resources and support they need to succeed in the community.”

The new GOTSR website is designed to make resources for returning citizens more readily available within six pilot areas (Atlanta, Augusta, Macon, Savannah, Columbus, Albany). Additionally, GOTSR plans to create a portal for prospective stakeholders and community partners. This portal will allow stakeholders and partners a forum where they can gather information as well as offer their services.

“Providing returning citizens with easily accessible information on reentry and community-based services within their local communities, is fundamental to their continued rehabilitation after release,” said GDC Commissioner Brian Owens. “We excited about the launch of the website and the effects it will have on our returning citizens.”

GOTSR was established in July 2013 to ensure successful offender reentry to the State of Georgia, to reduce recidivism, to enhance public safety through collaboration among stakeholders and to assist in ensuring the appropriate and responsible use of cost savings realized by justice reforms through reinvestment in evidence-based, community-centered services.

The GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 55,000 state prisoners and over 160,000 probationers. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 12,000 employees.