Macon-Bibb County, GA

06/13/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/13/2025 07:39

Mayor announces major justice reform initiative

June 13, 2025

Published by eadams

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"This program begins immediately," Mayor Lester Miller told a crowd at City Hall and hundreds of views on Facebook and local media streams, as he stood next to next to the new Macon Justice and Wellness Task Force. On Tuesday, June 10, as the introduced six new major initiatives as part of a crucial plan to improve safety, health, and justice outcomes.

The initiatives announced represent the most significant justice reform efforts for Macon-Bibb in decades, with strong support from community stakeholders. These programs will allow nonviolent offenders to safely rejoin their families, work, and access essential mental health and supportive services. Additionally, those remaining in the LEC will benefit from enhanced treatment, improved conditions, and strengthened resources.

"These initiatives are the result of months of planning, research, conversations and collaborations," said Mayor Miller. He thanked those justice system partners who spent time talking with him to get this initiative right. Many of those now serve on the Macon Justice and Wellness Task Force and include District Attorney Anita Howard, Sheriff David Davis, Judge Sarah Harris, Solicitor-General Rebecca Grist, Macon Violence Prevention Coordinator Jeremy Grissom, Public Defender Rick Waller, and more.

One of the earliest initiatives to be launched will be Macon Justice Works, a smart, community-focused alternative to incarceration. It is designed specifically for nonviolent offenders, including but not limited to those awaiting probation resolution, participants in pretrial diversion, low bond, and misdemeanors. Through this evidence-based program, participants will stay accountable through electronic monitoring, maintain employment if physically able and engage in structured community programs.

"Based on an early review of inmate information I fully expect to enroll 150 eligible people in this program and begin reducing the population of the Law Enforcement Center," said Mayor Miller. "That's 150 people who have the chance to support families, be with their kids, and not be in cells and blocks with more violent offenders. We will also free up space in the LEC, and taxpayers will save approximately $2.5 million per year."

The six initiatives include:

Macon Justice and Wellness Task Force

This multi-agency, multi-disciplinary team will guide and evaluate the county's new justice initiatives. The task force will:

  • Research and recommend evidence-based programs.
  • Track the implementation and effectiveness of initiatives.
  • Provide updates to the MVP multidisciplinary team.

Inmate Audit

To better understand who is incarcerated and why:

  • A 30-day full audit will identify inmates' charges, length of stay, service needs, and eligibility for new programs.
  • The audit will be provided to the Justice and Wellness Task Force.

Macon Justice Works

A community-based alternative to incarceration for nonviolent offenders:

  • Participants wear electronic ankle monitors.
  • They must be employed or enrolled in structured support programs.
  • Wraparound services and behavioral health supports are provided.
  • The program aims to reduce jail overcrowding and save taxpayers an estimated $2.5 million annually.
  • The consolidated government will cover the cost of monitoring for all program participants, ending the "two-tiered" system based on income.

"I don't want someone sitting in a jail because they can't make a low bond, while someone has the funds to do that is allowed to be out," said Mayor Miller.

Macon InReach Program

An enhanced version of the current jail-based support system:

  • Provides case management, peer support, and discharge planning before inmates are released.
  • Connects individuals to housing, jobs, and treatment.
  • Targets inmates with behavioral health needs-who make up over one-third of the jail population.

"We do not want the fact that they have an ankle monitor and had a bad mistake in the past lose their ability to have gainful employment," said Mayor Miller.

Jail-Based Competency Restoration (JBCR) Program

For individuals found Incompetent to Stand Trial (IST):

  • Delivers mental health and legal education services within the jail.
  • Reduces wait times for state hospital placement.
  • Based on successful models in Fulton, Cobb, Chatham, and Dodge Counties.
  • When possible, this program will be outpatient.

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a Jail Expansion

Recognizing the aging and unsafe conditions at the current Law Enforcement Center:

  • The Mayor is initiating a planning process for an expanded facility.
  • This will improve safety for staff and inmates and allow for modernized operations.

"While all that is happening, we'll be working on the LEC itself," said Mayor Miller. "A Request for Qualifications - an RFQ - has been issued for companies to bid on the expansion and upgrades of the LEC. We took a tour several weeks ago with the Sheriff and his team to see the conditions for ourselves, and it really drove home what we've been discussing: that a new facility is not the panacea to the issues. But we needed to do something about the facility, expanding its space and making significant upgrades."

You can view that RFQ here. This will be open for submissions until noon on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

"We have done it before with MVP. We will do it again with these programs. Together. This is a bold move, for sure-but Macon-Bibb is a bold community."

Mayor Miller went on to answer questions from reporters. You can view the full announcement and Q&A here.

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