Garland R. Hunt, Esq. , Chairman L. Gale Buckner, Vice Chair Garfield Hammonds, Jr., Member Milton E. Nix, Jr., Member Robert E. Keller, Member Parole Review Spring 2008 2007 Volunteer Service Award Presented to FPL Foods Parole Board Member Milton E. Nix, Jr. shakes hands with Jeffery Wilk of FPL Foods FPL Foods LLC, located in Augusta Georgia, is the largest, privately owned, fully integrated beef processing plant in the southeast. With nearly 700 workers between two plants, the company is one of Augusta's major employers, and a significant employment resource for the Augusta Parole Office. Parole Officers from the Augusta Parole Office developed a good rapport with managers at the two plants, and often refer parolees to FPL for consideration for employment. However, parole officers visiting the plant regularly to verify employment coupled with parolees leaving the plant to report to their parole officer was on occasion disruptive to the workflow. Chief Parole Officer Christopher Abbe and Parole Officer Jerry Davignon quickly worked with managers at FPL to resolve the issues surrounding parolee supervision, and proposed a unique solution to benefit all involved. Parole Officers would set up shop with laptops and paperwork in the lunch areas of the two plants on report day. The parolees report and pay their fees during their lunch break. The arrangement alleviated the need for parolees to leave work early to report to the office, and also satisfied the requirement for employment verification for parole officers. For FPL's commitment to improve their community by providing employment opportunities with competitive wages and benefits to offenders, they were honored with the Parole Association of Georgia's 2007 Volunteer Service Award. No Turning Back: Navigating What Works By Example George Braucht No Turning Back (NTB) is the name and the goal of the Whitworth Parole Center's substance abuse program. Tommy Vickery is unwavering as he leads participants along the straight freeway of abstinence-based recovery. He, with the support of the Whitworth staff, makes the NTB experience work for participants most of whom begin with an "I don't need this - I just need to get out and get a job" attitude. Mr. Vickery, a Nationally Certified Addiction Counselor, possesses the knowledge, skills, patience and compassion to be an effective counselor. Frankie Teasley, the Whitworth Center Superintendent, says, "You couldn't have a better person delivering the program. Tommy's heart is in it, and he leads by example." As part of the Board's contract with Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., Mr. Vickery started NTB in January 2005. This five-month intensive program focuses on the knowledge and abilities needed for addiction and criminal lifestyle recovery, relapse prevention and release preparation. Twice a week, Tommy leads three groups of 20 parolees, the maximum number that the group room can accommodate, through two-hour .....................continued on page 2 Retired Teacher Finds His Calling Mr. Alvin Watkins, a retired middle school principal, has found his calling at the South Metro Parole Center. According to the Georgia Department of Corrections' web site, during fiscal year 2007, 69% of inmates entering the Georgia prison system had not graduated from high school or attained a GED. When these inmates reenter their communities, they have a better chance of being successful if they obtain sustainable employment, but imagine being 20 , 30 or 60 years old, competing in the workforce with no high school diploma. Through a partnership arrangement initiated by the South Metro Parole Center (SMPC), the Atlanta Board of Education agreed to provide GED classes to those parolees reporting to the SMPC. An unusual feature of the agreement is that the instructor holds the classes at the parole center. The Atlanta Board of Education also provides the textbooks and classroom supplies needed by the students. Mr. Watkins doesn't find much difference between the pupils that he taught in middle school and those he instructs at the parole center. He has even encountered a couple of his former students. "I take my time with the students, mentor them when I can, and let them take things at their own pace," Watkins stated. " If you nurture people, children or adults, they will respond to you. You have to show them that you care." Mr. Watkins has been the South Metro instructor since 2004. Beyond attaining a GED diploma, Mr. Watkins would like to see his graduates continue their education by applying to technical school or college. He attempts to convey to his students that their past does not determine their future, and education is the key to a more productive lifestyle. Though he is soft spoken and has a laid back demeanor, Mr. Watkins does not tolerate misconduct, and is quick to admonish anyone who is unprepared for learning. Over the course of the last three years, 120 parolees have been enrolled and 35 have graduated. There are currently 20 parolees enrolled. They range in age from 20 years old to 62 . Two are preparing to graduate this month. No Turning Back....(cont.) segments of a best practice, cognitive-behavioral curriculum. Assignments from the previous class are reviewed, new concepts are discussed, and then role-playing and practice ensure fundamental recovery skills are learned by each participant. Over 200 parolees have successfully completed the program since its inception. The captain of NTB is Mr. Vickery. Although not proud of his past, "The guys and I connect because I've been where they've been." Tommy ends his self-published book From the Pits of Hell to the Gates of Heaven with, "I do not take any credit for the success I've been given, it's a direct result of the twelve step fellowships and God as I understand him." Faith Based Initiative On The Move!!! On February 12, 2008 , at the Henry County Administrative Building, in McDonough, Georgia, the Parole Board introduced its Faith Based Initiative to Henry County officials, clergy and interested citizens. Approximately 50 people turned out for the event. A second meeting will be announced in the near future to garner resources for the parolee population. 2007 Parole Association of Georgia Award Winners The 28th Annual Parole Association of Georgia Training Conference was held at Lake Lanier Islands Resort November 28th through 30th, 2007. The awards luncheon is always one of the highlights of the conference. Award nominations are submitted in advance and the recipients are kept in confidence until the luncheon. The 2007 winners of the Tommy Morris Distinguished Service Awards are Gail Martin, Southeast Regional Administrative Assistant; and Larry Hammond, Assistant Chief Parole Officer of the Carrollton Parole Office. Amanda Jordan, Chief Parole Officer of the Carrollton Parole Office, was presented with the Parole Officer of the Year Award. Jerry Davignon of the Augusta Parole Center was honored with the Innovations Award, Chairman Garland Hunt, Vice Chair L. Gale Buckner, and Members Milton E. Nix, Jr., and Robert E. Keller pose with recipients and the Volunteer Service Award was presented to Jeffery Wilk of FPL Foods. Employee of the Year Awards were presented to Jeannette Brown, Central Office; Walter Donnelly, Central Region; Billy Cox, Metro Region; Willie Grant, Southeast Region; Jody Dillard, Southwest Region; Henry "Hank" Harris, Northeast Region; and Mary Waggoner, Northwest Region. April Moore of the Jesup Parole Office received the PAOG President's Award. 2008 PAOG Executive Board 2008 Regional Representatives Brad West, President Kitty Ulmer, 1st Vice President Terri Ricker, 2nd Vice President Patty Butler, Treasurer Vicky Rollins, Secretary Geoff Rohrs, Sergeant at Arms Mary Ann Walls, Central Office Dorothy Roberson, Central Region Sherida Lovelace, Metro Region Paula O'Neal, Southeast Region Judy Etheridge, Southwest Region Shannon Lavender, Northeast Region Sheila Mullinax, Northwest Region 2008 Conference August 27th 29th Augusta, Georgia (404) 651-5897 The Parole Review is Published by the Office Of Pubic Affairs Scheree Lipscomb, Director Kim Patton-Johnson, Public Information Officer Cathy Charles, Public Information Specialist www.pap.state.ga.us