Testing the Georgia Department of Corrections Open Records Request
Gets A on communication and B on compliance.
Agency contact: Georgia Department of Corrections
Records that were requested: Contract for food services provided at a Central State prison.
When do you first hear back from the agency? I first heard back from the agency on Oct. 25,2022 after I submitted my request Oct. 13, 2022
Did agency request a fee? The agency did not request a fee.
Describe the response: The response I received was short and straightforward. I was given everything I needed to access the records. Also, I was given a point of contact if I needed further assistance.
Assign a grade for contact/process: The grade I give for contact/process is an A. The reason is that there was no issue finding how to request public records. There was a direct portal to submit a request. Then a confirmation email of the submission was sent to me instantly.
Assign a grade for response and explain: The grade I give for the response is a B because the information I requested was sent after the three-day window.
See the full report card here.
Grading scale for agency’s ease of contacting agency staff and finding or filing for public records.
A: Agency uses an online portal or has a clearly defined process or contact on its website for requesting public records. An “A” agency may also provide the most commonly requested records on its website already such as agendas and meeting minutes.
B: Agency has some public information online such as meeting agendas or meeting times but additional information on how to request public information is not available.
C: Agency website has contact information for staff but nothing specific about how to request public information.
D: Agency has limited contact information on its website but it is not clearly labeled and/or easily accessible.
F: Agency contact information or how to get public records is not available on the website
Grade scale for agency’s overall responsiveness and compliance with open records law
A: Provided records within the three-day window or less
B Acknowledgment of request within the three-day requirement but records were provided after three days.
C: Acknowledged the request but then put forth a long timetable for response or requested a high fee or retrieval price for what should be a digital record and/or PDF that could be emailed.
D: Acknowledged the request but no further information or follow-up.
F: No response
