Georgia – Only Young Once: Dismantling Georgia’s Punitive Youth Incarceration System

This report challenges the notion that Georgia’s youth legal system is built to rehabilitate and suggests measures that protect the health and humanity of all the state’s children. First, this report will explore the myth of the “superpredator” and its impact on perceived Black youth criminality. Second, it will detail the state’s school-to-prison pipeline and its contribution to youth incarceration. Third, it will outline the different ways racial disparities have been pervasive throughout the youth legal system. Fourth, it will delve into youth incarceration’s systemic harm to youth and cost to state taxpayers. Lastly, it will detail potential opportunities for policy reform and conclude with policy recommendations Georgia can pursue to advance change.