New GA Bill Could Lead to Mass Incarceration of Children

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MEET THE FIVE STATE LAWMAKERS LEADING THE CHARGE FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF MASS INCARCERATION

 

Atlanta, GA -- Activists in Georgia say a new bill being proposed by five state lawmakers will lead to the mass incarceration of children as young as 13. It's known as the Gang Bill (House Bill 994), and it was sponsored by State Representatives Bert Reeves, Barry Fleming, Chuck Efstration, Andy Welch, and Ginny Ehrhart.

The bill comes on the heels of Georgia making substantial changes to reform the criminal justice system. By the end of former Governor Nathan Deal's final term, the State had created an accountability court, reduced mandatory minimum sentences, allowed prosecutors to choose diversion programs, and reduced certain nonviolent felonies to misdemeanor offenses.