The story behind the story

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution had been looking at the problems with inmates re-entering society when a letter from Byron Ferguson arrived telling of his frustration at not being able to get admitted to one of Georgia’s “transitional centers,” or halfway houses, before he is paroled or released.

The AJC responded, asking for an interview. Contrary to Department of Corrections policies, the letter from the AJC was opened and copied and then given to the inmate on Dec. 23, 2017. He was moved to a transitional center just a few days after Christmas.

The Department of Corrections declined the AJC’s request to interview Ferguson, claiming he had recently been cited for a disciplinary infraction. DOC declined to provide any details.

Ferguson, who was in jail for the 10th time, said he was one of a number of inmates written up in 2014, during a previous incarceration, for not wearing the proper DOC uniform but the “charges” were dismissed once he and the other inmates appealed.

After just a few weeks at the center, and one day after the AJC inquired about his case, Ferguson was offered parole even though the typical program is much longer. He refused the offer.

Over the course of several weeks, short interviews were conducted when Ferguson could borrow a cellphone, which are allowed in transitional centers even though they are banned in prisons. Eventually, he saved enough money to get his own cellphone, which gave him more freedom to answer questions.