Drug Free Zone Sentence Enhancements: Department of Corrections, Georgia

Dear Jenny Wadhwa:
Thank you for your interest in public records of Georgia Department of Corrections. Your request has been received and is being processed in accordance with the Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. 50-18-70, et seq. Your request was received in this office on 6/12/2024 and given the reference number G014504-061224 for tracking purposes. Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
A copy of all records related to persons serving or who have served a sentence for a state drug free zone law violation – under Ga. Code Ann. 16-13-32.4; 16-13-32.5; 16-13-32.6. Specifically, I am requesting a list of all people currently or formerly incarcerated for a drug-free zone violation from 2015 to the date that this request is processed. The list should include names, date of conviction, date of end of sentence, offenses convicted of, inmate ID, facility type (ie. state prison, local jail) and parole eligibility date.I would also like to request any demographic information that may be readily available for the above persons, such as, but not limited to, each person’s date of birth, age at arrest, current age, race, ethnicity and gender. If this time frame is overly burdensome, please provide a date range that can be fulfilled.
In addition, I am requesting a copy of any and all reports or studies generated by the state that discuss the passage and efficacy of the drug free zone law.
If there are any fees for obtaining or copying these records, please inform me should the cost exceed $100. However, I would also like to request a waiver of all fees as I am requesting the information on behalf of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and will contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of drug free zone laws. This information is not being sought for commercial purposes.
If possible, please provide the requested documents electronically in Excel format. However, if this is not feasible, please inform me of the available methods for obtaining these records. Further, if you expect a significant delay in responding to this request, please contact me with information concerning when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records.
If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption that justifies the refusal to release the information and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me under the law.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.
Jenny Wadhwa

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Your request will be forwarded to the relevant department(s) to locate the information you seek and to determine the volume and any costs associated with satisfying your request. You will be contacted about the availability and/or provided with copies of the records in question.
PLEASE NOTE: The Open Records Act does not require a governmental body to prepare new reports, summaries, or compilations not in existence at the time of the request, or to answer questions.
Sincerely,
Georgia Department of Corrections

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of June 12, 2024, Reference # G014504-061224
Dear Jenny Wadhwa,
Thank you for contacting the Georgia Department of Corrections regarding your request for public records. Your request, received on June 12, 2024, sought copies of the following documents: “To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
A copy of all records related to persons serving or who have served a sentence for a state drug free zone law violation – under Ga. Code Ann. 16-13-32.4; 16-13-32.5; 16-13-32.6. Specifically, I am requesting a list of all people currently or formerly incarcerated for a drug-free zone violation from 2015 to the date that this request is processed. The list should include names, date of conviction, date of end of sentence, offenses convicted of, inmate ID, facility type (ie. state prison, local jail) and parole eligibility date.I would also like to request any demographic information that may be readily available for the above persons, such as, but not limited to, each person’s date of birth, age at arrest, current age, race, ethnicity and gender. If this time frame is overly burdensome, please provide a date range that can be fulfilled.
In addition, I am requesting a copy of any and all reports or studies generated by the state that discuss the passage and efficacy of the drug free zone law.
If there are any fees for obtaining or copying these records, please inform me should the cost exceed $100. However, I would also like to request a waiver of all fees as I am requesting the information on behalf of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and will contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of drug free zone laws. This information is not being sought for commercial purposes.
If possible, please provide the requested documents electronically in Excel format. However, if this is not feasible, please inform me of the available methods for obtaining these records. Further, if you expect a significant delay in responding to this request, please contact me with information concerning when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records.
If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption that justifies the refusal to release the information and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me under the law.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.
Jenny Wadhwa

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
The GDC estimates that the fees for the retrieval, review and redaction of the records that you have requested will be as follows:
Fees Charged: : $208.00
Labor Charged: $0.00 Estimated Total: $208.00
As required by O.C.G.A. 50-18-71(d), please let me know if you will agree to pay these estimated costs. If you do not respond to this inquiry within ten (10) business days, your request will be deemed withdrawn.
You may provide a response to the Georgia Department of Corrections by any of the following methods:
* By responding to this message;
* Via facsimile to (478) 992-5241; or
* By regular mail to Georgia Department of Corrections, Attention: Office of Legal Services, P. O. Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029.
Please note that no work will be undertaken until we receive your response.
Sincerely,
Leata Laidlow
Assistant General Counsel
Legal Services

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of June 12, 2024, Reference # G014504-061224.
Dear Jenny Wadhwa,
Your invoice is ready available to the view.  Please login into the Georgia Department of Corrections Open Records Center.
You can also make a check or money order payable to: Georgia Department of Corrections
Georgia Department of Corrections
Attn: Legal Services
P.O. Box 1529
Forsyth, Georgia 31029

Sincerely, 
Leata Laidlow
Assistant General Counsel
Legal Services

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of June 12, 2024., Reference # G014504-061224.
Dear Jenny Wadhwa,
The Georgia Department of Corrections received a request for public records from you on June 12, 2024. Your request mentioned: “To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
A copy of all records related to persons serving or who have served a sentence for a state drug free zone law violation – under Ga. Code Ann. 16-13-32.4; 16-13-32.5; 16-13-32.6. Specifically, I am requesting a list of all people currently or formerly incarcerated for a drug-free zone violation from 2015 to the date that this request is processed. The list should include names, date of conviction, date of end of sentence, offenses convicted of, inmate ID, facility type (ie. state prison, local jail) and parole eligibility date.I would also like to request any demographic information that may be readily available for the above persons, such as, but not limited to, each person’s date of birth, age at arrest, current age, race, ethnicity and gender. If this time frame is overly burdensome, please provide a date range that can be fulfilled.
In addition, I am requesting a copy of any and all reports or studies generated by the state that discuss the passage and efficacy of the drug free zone law.
If there are any fees for obtaining or copying these records, please inform me should the cost exceed $100. However, I would also like to request a waiver of all fees as I am requesting the information on behalf of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and will contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of drug free zone laws. This information is not being sought for commercial purposes.
If possible, please provide the requested documents electronically in Excel format. However, if this is not feasible, please inform me of the available methods for obtaining these records. Further, if you expect a significant delay in responding to this request, please contact me with information concerning when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records.
If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption that justifies the refusal to release the information and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me under the law.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.
Jenny Wadhwa

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
This invoice is now available for viewing on this portal. We will be sharing documents via GOVQA for security reasons. Please note these costs are only estimates and the final time taken may be more or less. Do you want me to tell the relevant department to complete this search - do you approve the cost?
Please feel free to contact me via the GDC's open records portal or by phone at (478) 992-5240 if you need any further assistance.
Sincerely,
Leata Laidlow
Assistant General Counsel
Legal Services

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of June 12, 2024, Reference # G014504-061224
Dear Jenny Wadhwa,
We have received your payment on invoice number INV24-G014504-1 of $ on 07/01/2024 for Request Number G014504-061224.
Payment Date Payment Method Payment Amount
7/1/2024 Check $208.00
If you are paying the estimate, we will now begin working on gathering documents responsive to your request. Once we have gathered the documents, a final statement of the remaining balance owed will be sent to you. This amount may change from the estimate depending on how much time and labor is actually spent on your request. Full payment is required before we release the records to you.
If you are making your final payment, we will contact you once your request is fulfilled and the documents are available for you online at the Public Records Center.
Sincerely,
Georgia Department of Corrections

--- Please respond above this line ---

Good afternoon,
We received your payment and hope to have this information to you by July 12, 2024.
If you have any questions, let me know.
Sincerely,
Leata Laidlow
Assistant General Counsel

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of June 12, 2024., Reference # G014504-061224.
Dear Jenny Wadhwa,
The Georgia Department of Corrections received a request for public records from you on June 12, 2024. Your request mentioned: “To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
A copy of all records related to persons serving or who have served a sentence for a state drug free zone law violation – under Ga. Code Ann. 16-13-32.4; 16-13-32.5; 16-13-32.6. Specifically, I am requesting a list of all people currently or formerly incarcerated for a drug-free zone violation from 2015 to the date that this request is processed. The list should include names, date of conviction, date of end of sentence, offenses convicted of, inmate ID, facility type (ie. state prison, local jail) and parole eligibility date.I would also like to request any demographic information that may be readily available for the above persons, such as, but not limited to, each person’s date of birth, age at arrest, current age, race, ethnicity and gender. If this time frame is overly burdensome, please provide a date range that can be fulfilled.
In addition, I am requesting a copy of any and all reports or studies generated by the state that discuss the passage and efficacy of the drug free zone law.
If there are any fees for obtaining or copying these records, please inform me should the cost exceed $100. However, I would also like to request a waiver of all fees as I am requesting the information on behalf of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and will contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of drug free zone laws. This information is not being sought for commercial purposes.
If possible, please provide the requested documents electronically in Excel format. However, if this is not feasible, please inform me of the available methods for obtaining these records. Further, if you expect a significant delay in responding to this request, please contact me with information concerning when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records.
If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption that justifies the refusal to release the information and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me under the law.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.
Jenny Wadhwa

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Data management is still working on this request, and I expect they will be done by July 19, 2024. However, is there another code section you needed to be searched under this criterion? They informed me that nothing seems to be coming up under 16-13-32.6.
Please feel free to contact me via the GDC's open records portal or by phone at (478) 992-5240 if you need any further assistance.
Sincerely,
Leata Laidlow
Assistant General Counsel
Legal Services

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of June 12, 2024., Reference # G014504-061224.
Dear Jenny Wadhwa,
The Georgia Department of Corrections received a request for public records from you on June 12, 2024. Your request mentioned: “To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
A copy of all records related to persons serving or who have served a sentence for a state drug free zone law violation – under Ga. Code Ann. 16-13-32.4; 16-13-32.5; 16-13-32.6. Specifically, I am requesting a list of all people currently or formerly incarcerated for a drug-free zone violation from 2015 to the date that this request is processed. The list should include names, date of conviction, date of end of sentence, offenses convicted of, inmate ID, facility type (ie. state prison, local jail) and parole eligibility date.I would also like to request any demographic information that may be readily available for the above persons, such as, but not limited to, each person’s date of birth, age at arrest, current age, race, ethnicity and gender. If this time frame is overly burdensome, please provide a date range that can be fulfilled.
In addition, I am requesting a copy of any and all reports or studies generated by the state that discuss the passage and efficacy of the drug free zone law.
If there are any fees for obtaining or copying these records, please inform me should the cost exceed $100. However, I would also like to request a waiver of all fees as I am requesting the information on behalf of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and will contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of drug free zone laws. This information is not being sought for commercial purposes.
If possible, please provide the requested documents electronically in Excel format. However, if this is not feasible, please inform me of the available methods for obtaining these records. Further, if you expect a significant delay in responding to this request, please contact me with information concerning when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records.
If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption that justifies the refusal to release the information and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me under the law.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.
Jenny Wadhwa

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Due to technical delays, I expect to have this item to you by July 29, 2024.
Also following up on my previous message. However, is there another code section you needed to be searched under this criterion? They informed me that nothing seems to be coming up under 16-13-32.6.
Please feel free to contact me via the GDC's open records portal or by phone at (478) 992-5240 if you need any further assistance.
Sincerely,
Leata Laidlow
Assistant General Counsel
Legal Services

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of June 12, 2024, Reference # G014504-061224.
Dear Jenny Wadhwa,
The Georgia Department of Corrections received a request for public records from you on June 12, 2024. Your request mentioned: “To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
A copy of all records related to persons serving or who have served a sentence for a state drug free zone law violation – under Ga. Code Ann. 16-13-32.4; 16-13-32.5; 16-13-32.6. Specifically, I am requesting a list of all people currently or formerly incarcerated for a drug-free zone violation from 2015 to the date that this request is processed. The list should include names, date of conviction, date of end of sentence, offenses convicted of, inmate ID, facility type (ie. state prison, local jail) and parole eligibility date.I would also like to request any demographic information that may be readily available for the above persons, such as, but not limited to, each person’s date of birth, age at arrest, current age, race, ethnicity and gender. If this time frame is overly burdensome, please provide a date range that can be fulfilled.
In addition, I am requesting a copy of any and all reports or studies generated by the state that discuss the passage and efficacy of the drug free zone law.
If there are any fees for obtaining or copying these records, please inform me should the cost exceed $100. However, I would also like to request a waiver of all fees as I am requesting the information on behalf of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and will contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of drug free zone laws. This information is not being sought for commercial purposes.
If possible, please provide the requested documents electronically in Excel format. However, if this is not feasible, please inform me of the available methods for obtaining these records. Further, if you expect a significant delay in responding to this request, please contact me with information concerning when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records.
If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption that justifies the refusal to release the information and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me under the law.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.
Jenny Wadhwa

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
The Georgia Department of Corrections has reviewed its files and has located the documents that are responsive to your request. These records have been uploaded to the open records portal and are available for you to review, download and/or print at your convenience.
As previously noted, nothing came up under 16-13-32.6.
Please feel free to contact me via the portal or by phone at (478) 992-5240 if you need any further assistance.
Sincerely,
Leata Laidlow
Assistant General Counsel
Legal Services