Audit: Private Prisons Cost More Than State-Run Prisons In Georgia

The audit found that prison population growth in Georgia has slowed, but it is still expected to rise by nearly 1,280 inmates over the next five years.

David Goldman / Associated Press file

A new audit says it costs Georgia more to keep inmates in privately run prisons than in those run by the state.

State prisons cost about $44.56 per inmate per day, compared to $49.07 for similar inmates in private prisons, according to the audit.

That may not account for costs such as pensions for state prison workers, the head of the state House Appropriations Committee told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Rep. Terry England, R-Auburn, said he wants to dig into the numbers more before deciding whether it makes more sense to expand state prisons or spend more on private prisons.