State law and the prison population

One factor influencing the state prison crisis is criminal justice legislation. Since 1995, Georgia laws have had two changes pertaining to serious violent felonies that lengthened the minimum amount of sentence to be served to become parole eligible. As a result, the prison system houses a higher proportion of prisoners convicted of serious violent crimes.

Prisoners released by parole

NOTES: Before 1995, prisoners convicted of serious violent offenses became eligible after 7 years.
After 1995, the minimum was 14 years.
After 2006, the minimum was 30 years.
Chart: Lois Norder & Pete Corson/AJCSource: State Board of Pardons and Paroles: Annual Reports, as cited in the governor’s budget recommendations.