Georgia Breaks Ground on $20.7M 40-Bed Forensic Center

Georgia has broken ground on a $20.7 million, 40-bed forensic restoration facility at East Central Regional Hospital in Augusta to expand competency-restoration services for people found incompetent to stand trial. State officials say the added capacity is intended to help address a backlog of 834 people awaiting services and ease pressure on local jails and courts. The project is part of a broader effort to expand treatment options, including a separate jail restoration center in Dodge County that has restored 82 people to competency since opening in January 2025.