The Coweta County Corrections Division is in the process of phasing out its Work Release Center program following a July 22, 2025, Board of Commissioners Work Session.
During the meeting, Public Works Administrator Tod Handley and Warden Jeff Rogers proposed dissolving the program due to lack of utilization and an increase of liability issues. The space would then be repurposed to expand operations of the Coweta County Prison which currently houses 216 state inmates. The Board unanimously approved.
The Work Release Center, traditionally called a Transitional Center, is an alternative to incarceration for the Court System rather than a jail or prison sentence. The Georgia Department of Corrections must approve the court’s recommendation for someone to enter the program. Those state offenders accepted by the Work Release Center must first complete a period of time on a detail at the county prison. If they meet the criteria for acceptance in the program, they will transfer and begin working at a free-world job as they await their parole or release.
The program, however, has never reached its full potential. The center can house 32 offenders, but it currently holds 15, with many of those individuals set to be released in less than one year. After those releases, participation in the program is expected to drop to only two or three individuals.
The program has also faced challenges including the risk of individuals bringing contraband into the facility and escaping while at work. In addition, the Georgia Department of Corrections is now asking prisons to supply a shuttle service from the center to various local work locations and back, therefore increasing the cost of operations.
“We believe that the current Work Release Center building will better serve Coweta County by housing additional state inmates to work on outside details,” shares Warden Jeff Rogers. “This move will be a phased-out approach, and we will work closely with the Court System so everyone is handled.”
By mid-2026, the current Work Release Center space will be transitioned to expand the Coweta County Prison’s capacity from 216 to 248 inmates. The additional beds will house current offenders who have good behavior, a strong work ethic and zero disciplinary actions
Furthermore, the state recently increased their cost to house an inmate, called “per diem”, from $24 a day to $30 effective July 1. With the additional funds, Warden Rogers plans to increase the offender programing, such as Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), Anger Management and the Family Intervention Program; as well add to the prison’s vocational training opportunities to include automotive maintenance and collision repair, HVAC, plumbing and electrical to help inmates build skills and get on the job training.
“Here at the Coweta County Prison, we want to provide motivated offenders with opportunities that would give them their best chance at a successful re-entry,” shared Warden Jeff Rogers.
To learn more about the Coweta County Prison, please visit here.
