| “Georgia’s Survivor Justice Act is one more example in a long line of criminal justice reforms with bipartisan support across red, blue, and purple states. This bill shows what is possible when policymakers come together in support of evidence, mercy and justice. We thank Governor Kemp and urge lawmakers across the country to continue to support second chance sentencing that safely reduces incarceration and advances public safety.”
Background
The legislation, which passed with near unanimous votes in both chambers in the Georgia legislature, was sponsored by Republicans and strongly supported by both parties, and will be enacted into law on July 1st, 2025.
The law gives judges and prosecutors the ability to reexamine and reduce unnecessarily harsh sentences for people who have been convicted of crimes related to their abuse. At the ceremony with the Governor were state officials and advocates from across the country, including FWD.us.
Sponsored by Republican House Judiciary Committee Chair Stan Gunter, the “Survivor Justice Act” provides survivors of domestic violence increased opportunities to argue that they acted in self-defense, fairer sentences if they are convicted of a crime related to their abuse, and the ability to apply for a sentence reduction if they are currently serving time in prison. Oklahoma recently signed similar reforms into law, and Georgia now joins the state in prioritizing second chances, protecting survivors, and enhancing public safety. This bill will have a profound impact on families who have already been torn apart by long sentences by allowing people currently serving sentences to come home earlier, including many women currently serving life sentences.
FWD.us, whose recent polling found that 75% of Georgia voters agreed it’s important to lower the jail and prison population, and 66% of Republicans support criminal justice reform, worked on the ground in Georgia with the Survivor Justice Initiative and other advocates to educate lawmakers on the merits of the law and worked to ensure passage as well as signing from Governor Kemp.
Thousands of people across the country are serving extreme sentences for crimes they committed protecting themselves or others. Statistics show that an astounding 74% to 95% of women in prison have experienced domestic or sexual violence, and of about 200 documented cases of domestic survivors who are currently in prison in Georgia, over half are serving a life sentence or virtual life sentence. |