September 2011 - online version.indd - Georgia Department of ...

Headquarters Relocation Complete with the Fleet Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
By Gwendolyn Hogan
Official Ribbon Cutting Party including Commissioner Owens, Mayor Howard, County Chamber Chairman
Ham, Commissioner Chairman Vaughn, General Donald, State Representative Robert Dickey, State
Representative John Paul Holmes, Fleet Director Turner and ECS Director Latimer
On August 10th, the Department
of Corrections held a Ribbon
Cutting Ceremony for Fleet
Services.
“I am happy to announce that
the move of Fleet Services
completes our relocation to the
heart of Georgia,” stated Commissioner
Brian Owens.
DOC manages the third largest
fl eet with more than 1900
vehicles in the state, behind the
DOT and UGA.
Division Director of OPT Arnold
Smith opened the ceremony by
introducing Fleet Director Frank
Turner, Keynote Speaker Forsyth-Monroe
County Chamber
Chairman Connie R. Ham, and
Welcoming Remarks Speakers
City of Forsyth Mayor Tye Howard
and Commission Chairman
James Vaughn.
An overview of the 13 bays at
Fleet was conducted by Fleet Director
Turner. He discussed the
services Fleet offers which range
in automotive, express oil, brake &
wheel alignment, engine & transmission,
diesel repair, washing &
detailing, body repair & paint, and
welding among other services.
Fleet’s future plans include the
implementation of the following
three programs: Live Works, Work
Ready, and Vehicle Preventative
Maintenance.
Live Works will increase the number
of resident inmate mechanics
working at the facility. Work Ready
will help offenders gain ASA Certifi
cations, help Transitional Center
offenders receive pay and develop
an effective marketing plan for
hiring ex-offenders.
Vehicle Preventative Maintenance
Program will help reduce
breakdowns and costs for Fleet.
The ceremony continued with
remarks from Mayor Howard and
County Commission Chairman
Vaughn.
Chairman Vaughn remarked how
the deal between Monroe County
and the DOC to bring the Department
to Forsyth has let the state
know that “everything does not
have to be done in Atlanta”. He
applauded the DOC for making
the decision to expand in Monroe
County.
Mayor Howard followed Chairman
Vaughn’s opening remarks
by showing his appreciation to
the Department of Corrections.
Left to Right: Mayor Tye Howard, Commissioner Brian Owens and
Fleet Director Frank Turner
“The whole Department of Corrections
is a very benefi cial partner
and neighbor to all of us,” stated
Mayor Howard.
Chamber Chairman Connie R.
Ham served as the Keynote
Speaker and discussed the relationship
between the City of Forsyth
and DOC.
“We are gathered here today to
celebrate yet another Department
of Corrections’ success and
to honor those who have made it
possible,” stated Chariman Ham.
Commissioner Owens gave a
special thank you to General Donald,
ECS Director Larry Latimer,
State Rep. Jim Cole and Chamber
Director Tiffany Andrews for their
roles in turning this vision into a
reality.”
Columbus Probation Offi cers Participate in National Night Out
On August 2nd, the Columbus
Probation Offi ce in the Chattahoochee
Judicial Circuit participated
in National Night Out.
National Night Out is a unique
crime and drug prevention
event sponsored by the nonprofi
t National Association of
Town Watch (NAWT).
National Night Out is designed
to heighten crime and drug prevention
awareness, generate
support for and participation in
local anti-crime programs,
strengthen neighborhood spirit
and police community partnerships
and send a message to
criminals letting them know
Contributed by CPO Stacy Rivera
that neighborhoods are organized
and fi ghting back.
This year marked the 28th Annual
National Night Out and the 11th in
Columbus.
“Probation Offi cers are becoming
more recognized as their visibility
in the fi eld increases,” stated CPO
Stacy Rivera.
Columbus Probation Offi cers
along with the Columbus Police,
Muscogee County Sheriff’s and
Marshal’s Department, Columbus
Fire Department and city offi cials
took part in getting acquainted
with citizens of local neighborhoods
in the city.
Left to Right: Surveillence Officer Doug Pernell
and Surveillence Officer Sean Thompson
Citizens and public safety offi cers
enjoyed food, music and games.
CPO Stacy Rivera said, “It was a
way for the neighborhood to come
together and show their apprecia-
Left to Right: Officers Sean Thompson, Doug Pernell,
Frederick Brown and Marcus Mosby
tion to our dedicated Offi cers for
their selfl ess service in keeping
our neighborhoods safe.”

Don’t Forget
Blood Drive
September 1st
9AM to 7PM
Vinzant Gymnasium
Support Your Local
Red Cross Drives!
Check out the newly
designed Captiva
Homepage, the new GDC
Supports our Military
page and the new
Justice Reinvestment
page!
Calendar Events
Thursday, September 1
Board of Corrections Meeting
& American Red Cross
Blood Drive
Monday, September 5
LABOR DAY - HOLIDAY
Wednesday, September 7
Walker Faith & Character
Based Prison
Commissioning Ceremony
Thursday, September 8
Board of Public Safety
Tuesday, September 13
Athens DRC Graduation
Tuesday, September 20
NOBTS Opening Ceremony
& Corrections HR
Management Off-site
Wednesday, September 21
Corrections HR
Management Off-site
Thursday, September 22
BCOT Graduation
Tuesday, September 27
Macon DRC Graduation
Corrections Leadership Institute Class 24 Graduation Ceremony
Contributed by Delphine Reese
CLI Class 24 Graduating Class with CLI Coordinator Delphine Reese (to Left) and CLI Carl
Vinson Institute UGA Instructor Sherri Lawless (to Left)
On August 11th, the Department
held the 24th Corrections
Leadership Institute graduation for
twenty-four graduates.
The CLI program is designed to
prepare middle and senior leadership
staff for increasing levels of
responsibility with the DOC. It is a
nine day course that is broken into
three modules over the course of
fi ve months.
The focus of the class is development
of leadership skills for
DOC managers to become more
effective in managing the challenges
and opportunities within
the organization. These skills
include leading, managing, power,
infl uence, accountability, group
dynamics, systems thinking,
change and public speaking.
CLI Instructor Sherri Lawless
stated, ““Class XXIV is another
addition to CLI’s alumni group
that represents the best our GDC/
Vinson Institute partnership can
offer which is engaged learnerleaders
poised to make meaningful
and innovative contributions to
the department. For my part,
it continues to be a privilege to
work with these many talented
and dedicated individuals who are
actively engaged in GDC’s present
while preparing themselves to
help propel the organization
into its future.”
Director of OPT Arnold Smith
gave the Graduation Address
and assisted CLI Instructor Sherri
Lawless with the presentation of
certifi cates and pins.
Vaughn A Andrews
Rajun C. Bogan
Sylvie Bogui
Tommy Bowen
Kevin L. Davis
Josephine Ford
Kimberly Forrester
Monique Grier
Rufus Hamilton
Steve Hayes
Joan L. Heath
James E. Herron
Carley W. Hickox
Debra K. Hinkle
Mark Moll
John E. Moore, Jr.
Cherie H. Price
Gene Quinn
Chistopher L. Railey
Nancy A Smith
Sandra W. Smith
Robin B. Stewart
Tommie L. Tremble
Darryl A. Warren
Class 24 Graduates
Dekalb Circuit CPO
Sylvester PO III
SOS at Tift College Planner I
Bleckley PDC Superintendent
Macon SP Captain
Columbus DRC Center Admin.
Carrolton PO III
Program Development
Consultant of Reentry
Chief of Security at Dooly SP
Director of Public Affairs at
Parole Central Offi ce
Director of Public Affairs
Rutledge SP Captain
Operations Analyst II of
Care & Custody
Business Manager of
Adminstration Division
Public Safety Training
Instructor III of Training Section
Investigator of Offi ce of
Investigations & Compliance
Baldwin SP Chief Counselor
Internet Services Manager of
Offi ce of Information
Technology
Deputy Warden of Security
at Calhoun SP
Program Development
Consultant at SOS
Sr. Investigator of Offi ce of
Investigations & Compliance
Hinesville CPO
Unit Manager at Hancock SP
Unit Manager at Calhoun SP
Puppy Raisers Needed for the New Guide Dog Program at Burruss
Contributed by Pam Lehr & Deana Izzo
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind Program Puppies at Burruss CTC
Center and Burruss CTC.
The Department of Corrections
has a partnership to train guide
dogs for the visually impaired
with Guide Dog Foundation for
the Blind, Inc. in Smithtown Long
Island, New York.
The training program is currently
located at the Metro Transitional
The puppies, typically Labrador
Retrievers, arrive at Burruss at
seven weeks of age and remain
at Burruss for up to 14 months.
During this time, offenders teach
basic obedience commands to
the puppies.
An important part of the program
requires puppies to spend
time at the home of a puppy
raiser during the weekends.
Puppy Raisers provide exposure
to settings that are not
available inside prison grounds.
These outside settings give
the puppies an opportunity to
experience crowds, smells, and
noises.
Spending time with a puppy
raiser is a critical part in the
socialization of these puppies.
The Guide Dog Foundation
program is part of On-the-
Job training offered at DOC
facilities. In this program,
offenders learn animal care,
grooming and basic obedience
techniques.
There is an opportunity for an
offender to enroll in a 15-hour credit
Veterinary Assistant course, which
is offered through Middle Georgia
Technical College.
Offenders who have completed the
program have said it is a life changing
experience since they have the
chance to contribute to the life of a
visually impaired person.
If you are interested in becoming
a puppy raiser for this program,
please contact the following instructors:
Burruss Program
Cathy Pittman at cathyp3@cox.net
OR
Lundi Johnson at lundiannejohnson@yahoo.com
Metro TC Program:
Heather Hagstrom at heather.
hagstrom@gmail.com
The Department Welcomes New 12 For Life Program Students at State Offi ces South
We have five students participating in the 12 FOR LIFE program. Two
students have returned from last school year and three are new students
to the program.
Students, pictured left to right: Richard Boswell, DJ High, Chelsea
Arnett, Kendarius Proctor, Jeremy Hutto
Left to Right: Operations Administration Assistant Lori Howard (left) and
CTAE Coordinator Monroe County Schools Susan Childs (right)

The 54th GPA Summer Training Conference
By Gwendolyn Hogan
Left to Right: Director of PO Cooper, Commissioner
Owens, FOM Kraft and FOM Mullis
Left to Right: Director of PO Cooper, Commissioner
Owens, PO Hartman and FOM Mullis
Left to Right: FOM Mullis, Lakeland PO Ashburn and
GPA President Chestnutt
Left to Right: GPA President Chestnutt and Tim Lewis
The 54th GPA Summer Training
Conference was held on Jekyll
Island from August 17th through
the 19th.
“This year’s conference had
the largest attendance since
2007,” said Director of Probation
Operations Stan Cooper.
GPA President Drew Chestnutt
mentioned that they had over
257 people in attendance, 42 of
which were from Parole.
During the conference, training
classes were held with topics
ranging from Parole and Probation:
What We Have in Common,
Justice Reinvestment, Drug Test
Georgia’s “Great State to
Serve” program designed to
raise employee satisfaction
was recognized recently by the
Council of State Governments
and received top honors at the
National Association of State
Personnel Executives (NASPE)
Conference in July. Our great
state received accolades in two
out of three categories.
NAPSE presents three awards
annually and Georgia claimed
the top award, Innovative
Program of the Year for the
Great State to Serve program.
Georgia’s second award was for
the email campaign around the
state’s core commitments to
Stick Training, Criminal Justice
Reform and SCRIBE Supervision
Model Roll-Out to name
a few.
Commissioner Brian Owens,
GPA President Chestnutt, Director
of Probation Operations
Cooper and Field Operations
Manager Scot Mullis recognized
GPA members during the
Awards Ceremony on August
18th.
The recipient of the 24th Annual
Lee Broome Memorial
Award for Excellence was FOM
Michael Kraft. Like the late Lee
Broome, FOM Kraft has been a
model for excellence in
environment where our top
performers want to stay.
Georgia is the fi rst public entity
to implement a program geared
toward improving workplace
satisfaction. In doing so,
Georgia has achieved national
acclaim for its efforts. Over
the next several months, our
agency will continue to focus
on raising credibility scores by
improving communication practices
and sustaining the great
results achieved last year.
Pictured with the NASPE award
are Probation Offi cer Aaron
Pupp and Correctional Offi cer
Kimberly Gregory.
During the awards ceremony, the
GPA’s First Annual Child/Spouse
Scholarship was awarded to
the daughter of GPA member
and Sentinel representative,
Tim Lewis. Mr. Lewis accepted
the scholarship on behalf of his
daughter who was unable to
attend. The $500 scholarship is
designed to assist in the pursuit
of a Bachelor’s or Master’s
degree in a program of study
applicable to the fi eld of Criminal
Justice, Rehabilitation, Social
Services or a related fi eld.
“The conference was very successful
in achieving its goals in
providing outstanding training
and allowing its members from
all across the state to network
together in a very professional
but relaxed environment,” stated
Director of PO Cooper.
For details on the Mid-Winter
Conference in March, please visit
www.gaprobationassoc.org.
Great State To Serve Program Received Top Honors at the NASPE Conference
customers, Courteous, Helpful,
Accessible, Responsive and
Knowledgeable.
GDC, one of eight agencies
participating in the GSS pilot,
met the goal of raising satisfaction
by two points. We have
learned during an economic
downturn, citizens demand for
state services actually increases.
Greater effi ciencies are required
to meet their demands without
raising costs.
A key factor in providing effi cient
services is retaining well trained
and experienced employees who
provide a higher quality of service
to customers. It is essential
that we create a work
the probation profession through
his initiative, dedication, perceptiveness
and management skills.
Probation Offi cer Telly Hartman
received the GPA Impact Award.
The Impact Award, created by
GPA and Probation Operations,
recognizes those individuals that
exemplify exceptional performance
and accomplishment
within the probation profession.
Probation Offi cer Lisa Ashburn
received the Joe Williams
Scholarship Award. PO Ashburn
can put this $1,000 scholarship
towards her undergraduate or
graduate studies in the fi eld of
Criminal Justice.
Contributed by Cathy Smith
Correctional Officer Kimberly Gregory and Probation Officer Aaron Pupp
Seventh Annual GDC Professional Management Program Graduation
Contributed by Delphine Reese
August 24th PMP Graduates in Roberts Chapel at State Offices South at Tift College
On August 24th, 70 DOC employees
graduated from Professional
Management Program.
The DOC graduates received
a cerfi ciate in Criminal Justice
from Columbus State University,
which is the equivalent to
30 college credit hours. These
hours can be used towards
an Associates or Bachelor’s
Degree in Criminal Justice.
The PMP program is an education
initiative that supports the
agency’s goal to promote a
learning organization.
The Department and CSU
have partnered together to provide
college classes to employees
at six sites throughout the
state: Tifton, Savannah, Milledgeville,
Atlanta, Cherokee County
and most recently Reidsville.
The Leadership Development
Training Unit is responsible
for the education initiative that
supports one of Commissioner
Owens “Top Five,” Succession
Planning.
For information, contact Delphine
Reese, PMP Coordinator, at
404-665-7370, or Robert Gaylor,
Education Coordinator, at 478-
992-2835.

Agencies Unite to Form the Augusta Community Impact Operation
By Gwendolyn Hogan
The Georgia Department of
Corrections joined forces with the
Richmond County Sheriff’s Offi ce
and offi cers from the Board of
Pardons and Paroles on August
24th for a three-day operation
called the Augusta Community
Impact Initiative.
“We simply cannot fi ght crime
by ourselves,” stated Commissioner
Brian Owens. “It demands
complete involvement and the
Department of Corrections is
proud to join forces with the
Richmond County Sheriff’s Offi ce
in this necessary venture,” added
Commissioner Owens.
The objective of this operation
was to serve 216 outstanding
criminal and probation warrants
and heighten law enforcement
presence.
“Collaborative efforts of this type
speak directly to our mission of
protecting the public,” said
Director of Parole Michael Nail.
“It reenforces that we can be
much more successful when we
work together toward a common
purpose,” added Nail.
The Richmond County Crime
Suppression Team with the assistance
of the Georgia Department
of Corrections, State Board of
Pardons and Paroles served 30
warrants successfully and yielded
102 arrests in 72-hours.
During this 72-hour period, offi
cers served warrants, policed
narcotics activity and provided a
strong presence in high crime,
high profi le areas.
Phillips State Prison Therapy Programs
Contributed by Pearl Freeman
Phillips State Prison Activity Therapists Pearl Freeman, AT, TRS (MHM Georgia),
Tamara Hogan, AT (GDOC), Governor Nathan Deal and Onsha Whittaker, AT (MHM
Georgia)
During 2011, Phillips State Prison
has implemented two major
programs within their Activity
Therapy Department.
The fi rst program implements the
Wii video game system to Level
III and Level IV inmates.
The Wii program has been a useful
and successful tool by helping
to build confi dence in promoting
positive competitive attitudes and
decreasing negative behaviors in
a group setting.
“The streets of Richmond
County are much safer
tonight after a joint operation
with the Richmond
County Sheriff’s Offi ce,
Georgia Department
of Corrections Probation
Operations/Special
Operations and the State
Board of Pardons and
Parole focusing on street
level crime and offenders
that continue to reoffend,”
stated Richmond County
Captain Scott Gay.
The Augusta operation
was the fi rst of its kind
conducted by the Sheriff’s
Offi ce with the
Georgia Department of
Corrections.
“This operation was the
third joint task force effort
between the Department
of Corrections, Pardons
and Parole and local
law enforcement,” said
Director of Probation
Operations Stan Cooper.
“The fi rst operation of
this nature was held in
Atlanta, the second in
Macon and now Augusta.
By all indications this operation
was successful in
increasing public safety,”
added Cooper.
Phillips State Prison has partnered
with The Atlanta Foundation
for Hospital Art for the second
program.
The Atlanta Foundation for
Hospital Art is an organization
made up of a group of volunteers
that travel worldwide painting with
patients in hospitals and is now
here painting with our Level III
and Level IV offenders.
Due to these new programs at
Phillips State Prison, the
Left to Right: Augusta PO Christopher Smith, Augusta PO John Lee,
Northeast Probation Tactical Squad PO3 Brad Willis & Deputy Kelly
Lundy with the Richmond County Crime Supression Team
Left to Right: Richmond County Deputy Kenneth McKenzie, Deputy
Lundy, Augusta PO Lee and PO3 Willis
Activity Therapy Department was
asked to a meeting with Governor
Nathan Deal during National
Therapeutic Recreation Week
during July 10-16th.
During the meeting with Governor
Deal, Phillips State Prison’s
Activity Therapy Department was
given the opportunity to have a
picture taken with the Governor
and the signed proclamation regarding
the National Therapeutic
Recreation Week.
Pearl Freeman stated, “Here at
Phillips State Prison, our Activity
Therapy Department is committed
to restoring, encouraging
and supporting continued positive
programming.”
Deputy Lundy with the Richmond County Crime Supression Team
dropping off offender to be taken to County Jail after arrest
Deputy Lundy escorting offender into Richmond County Police Car
after arrest
Keep an eye out
for a New Quarterly
Article by our own
Commissioner Brian Owens
starting next month!
Commissioner Brian Owens
Public Affairs Director, Joan Heath; Managing Editor, Gwendolyn Hogan; Public Relations and Information Specialist Kristen Stancil