ATLANTA (October 14, 2026) — Senate Appropriations Chairman Blake Tillery (R–Vidalia) recently attended a groundbreaking ceremony hosted by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) for a new $20.7 million forensic restoration facility in Augusta. The 40-bed facility, located on the campus of East Central Regional Hospital, will expand Georgia’s capacity to provide competency restoration services and help alleviate growing demands on local jails and courts.
“For years, we’ve heard from sheriffs across Georgia about the growing number of individuals awaiting mental health services in their county jails. We’ve also heard from victims and their families who are waiting for justice as cases remain delayed. Today, we’re taking another step toward addressing both of those challenges,” said Chairman Tillery. “This facility is part of the solution, and we’re not stopping here. Next month, we’ll continue delivering on our commitment with the groundbreaking of a new 300-bed forensic hospital in Atlanta. I commend DBHDD and Commissioner Kevin Tanner for the tremendous strides they’ve made in bringing meaningful solutions to Georgia families and strengthening public safety across our state.”
Supported by funding from Gov. Brian Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly, the Augusta facility will provide competency restoration services for individuals found incompetent to stand trial. As of September 28, 834 individuals across Georgia were awaiting forensic restoration services, underscoring the need for additional treatment capacity.
The Augusta project builds on the state’s ongoing investments in forensic mental health infrastructure, including the opening of Georgia’s first standalone Jail Restoration Center in Dodge County in January 2025. The center has since restored 82 individuals to competency.
The General Assembly also approved $409 million during the 2026 Legislative Session for a new 300-bed forensic hospital building at Georgia Regional Hospital–Atlanta. Expected to break ground later this year, the project will significantly expand the state’s capacity to serve individuals with complex behavioral health and forensic needs.
# # # #
Sen. Blake Tillery serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. He represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Appling, Bacon, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Wayne and Wheeler counties, as well as a portion of Coffee County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-5038 or by email at Blake.Tillery@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.