Georgia prisons are full and understaffed. Families of the incarcerated want that message heard

There are now almost 51,000 people incarcerated by the state of Georgia. That’s the highest number in 15 years. 

Meanwhile, the number of Georgia correctional officers is at its lowest this century, and reports of violence inside Georgia prisons have continued to spike since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Caption

Isaac Lester carries a photo of his son, Isaac Lester, Jr., as he and other prison rights advocates march to the entrance of the Georgia State Capitol. Lester says his son died from an acute asthma attack because the prison where he was incarcerated did not have adequate health care.

Credit: Grant Blankenship/GPB News

On Thursday, also Crossover Day for the state legislature, advocates for and family members of people in the state’s prisons plan to go to the state Capitol to try to get legislators to understand how they say the civil rights of the people they love are violated. 

Caption

Family members of Kwesi Stultz after their trip through the capitol. Stultz was killed at Telfair State Prison three days before Christmas last year.

Credit: Grant Blankenship/GPB News

This audio postcard captures a similar effort a few weeks ago, and includes the voices of Isaac Lester, Kathy Casper, Laura Pirtle and Susan Mackree, all who have loved ones in Georgia prisons, as well as lawmakers and lobbyists at the state Capitol.