VALDOSTA — Valdosta State Prison can expect to see an expansion in housing and inmates as the Georgia Department of Corrections introduces its new “Fast Track” facilities, as well as plans to relocate Homerville State Prison inmates to Valdosta.

Valdosta was named among seven state prison locations to open a Fast Track. Prisons in Macon, Dooly and Smith were scheduled to open in August, while Valdosta, Ware, Hays and Coastal prisons are slated for late February 2009.

The Homerville prison, constructed in 1963, is a retrofitted school house that was never intended for prison use, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections. The facility was identified as a “non-enduring” facility in the Department of Corrections’ 2007 master plan.

Designed to house 256 inmates, the Fast Tracks were funded by the General Assembly four years ago to address the growth in the prison population and optimize current prison infrastructure, according to a press release from the Department of Corrections. The facilities, which are much larger than typical prison facilities, are expected to increase bed capacity for Georgia prisons by 1,800 by the end of the fiscal year.

The Fast Track design features an elevated control center located in the center of four dormitories, which allow clear visual observation of the entire facility. Restrooms and recreation areas are also brought forward to improve observation by security staff. Doors to each dormitory recreation area can be opened automatically from the control center as well.

Because of the improved infrastructure design, the department is able to open each of the Fast Tracks with fewer than 25 correctional officers compared to previous designs that require a security personnel staff of more than 40. There is also no requirement for additional food service, maintenance, administration or medical operations since the existing infrastructure will be leveraged.

“The department continues to pursue best practices that show that even in prisons, bigger is better,” Corrections Commissioner James E. Donald stated in a press release. “The cost savings of this design versus conventional dormitories is projected to be approximately $1 million per unit annually.”

Donald added that the Fast Track openings came just in time to help the department address its $66 million budget reduction as directed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

“We continue to ‘right size’ the Department of Corrections by divesting ourselves of smaller, older, inefficient and expensive facilities,” Donald stated. “Our commitment to protecting and serving the citizens of Georgia while being good stewards of public funds remains constant.”

Future plans for the Homerville facility have not yet been determined.