Recidivism: Why Reducing Repeat Offenses Matters for Atlanta’s Future

By Chip Morris, Co-founder & CEO

• Nov 29, 2025

In cities like Atlanta, where innovation and community pride run deep, the conversation about public safety often centers on enforcement. However, if we genuinely want safer streets and stronger neighborhoods, we must look beyond arrests and convictions. We need to focus on recidivism, the rate at which individuals reoffend after entering the justice system, and the ripple effect it has on our economy, families, and the city’s long-term health. 

 
Reducing recidivism is not just a criminal justice issue. It’s an economic and community imperative.

 
 
The Hidden Cost of Recidivism in Atlanta 

Every time someone cycles back into the system, the cost multiplies financially, socially, and emotionally. The Georgia Department of Corrections estimates it costs more than $23,000 per year to incarcerate a single person. Multiply that by thousands of repeat offenders, and you see how quickly resources are drained from other areas like education, workforce development, and public health. 

 
But the real cost isn’t just dollars, it’s lost potential. Every individual who returns to jail instead of reentering society successfully represents a missed opportunity for economic participation, tax contribution, and community stability. In metro Atlanta, where small businesses and skilled labor drive much of the local economy, reducing recidivism directly supports workforce strength and family stability. 

 
When people return home with the skills, mindset, and support to make different choices, they don’t just stay out of trouble; they contribute. They become employees, parents, volunteers, and neighbors. 

 
Education as the Bridge to Change 

 
One of the most effective tools we have for breaking the cycle of recidivism is education, not just in classrooms, but through practical, behavior-changing learning that reaches people where they are. This means providing access to courses that foster self-awareness, enhance decision-making skills, and promote civic understanding. 

 
Traditional punitive approaches might stop the behavior temporarily, but education changes it permanently. Programs that combine cognitive-behavioral techniques with real-world lessons about responsibility and citizenship give people the tools to rewrite their stories. 

 
This is where I’ve focused much of my work through ProCivica, formerly Civics Academy. Our platform delivers court-approved courses and tools for probation and pre-trial programs, but at its heart, it’s about helping people think differently. When a learner starts to see how their actions affect others, and how the rule of law ties to their own potential, they begin to make better choices. That’s when you see a fundamental transformation. 

 
The Role of Community and Technology 

 
Atlanta is a city that thrives on connection, and businesses, faith organizations, and nonprofits all play a role in building community resilience. However, as technology changes the world around us, we must ensure that innovation supports, rather than replaces, human connection. 

 
That’s where the future of recidivism reduction lies, combining technology with empathy. Digital platforms like ProCivica can make mandated education and community service more accessible and consistent across Georgia and beyond. At the same time, our goal is to keep these tools person-centered, supporting the human relationships between probation officers, educators, and participants that drive accountability and growth. 

 
For example, our new ProCivica Serves program allows participants to complete community service online, upload proof of in-person work, and reflect on what giving back means. It’s not about checking a box; it’s about creating space for reflection and civic understanding. That’s the kind of innovation Atlanta should lead in, blending technology with heart to serve people better. 

  
If we want a safer Atlanta, we must move beyond short-term fixes and invest in long-term change. That means supporting reentry programs, probation reforms, and educational tools that teach personal responsibility rather than just enforcing compliance. 

 
Reducing recidivism strengthens the economy, eases the burden on courts and correctional systems, and most importantly, creates safer communities for everyone. It’s the kind of investment that pays off for decades. 

 
Every dollar we save by keeping someone out of jail is a dollar that can be reinvested in schools, jobs, and mental health services. Every life redirected away from crime adds value to the workforce, brings stability to families, and instills hope in communities. 

 
Atlanta has always been a city that reinvents itself, a place where challenges are turned into opportunities. Tackling recidivism should be no different. By combining smart policy, community collaboration, and technology-driven education, we can build a system that focuses less on punishment and more on potential. 

 
It’s not about letting people off the hook; it’s about giving them a way forward. When that happens, we all win: safer neighborhoods, stronger families, and a more resilient Atlanta. 

 
Chip Morris is the co-founder and CEO of ProCivica, a Georgia-based leader in online judicial-mandated education designed to reduce recidivism and strengthen communities nationwide.