The DOC Eagle, Apr. 2002

THE DOC EAGLE "Soaring to Greater Heights of Excellence"

Volume 1, Issue 2 April, 2002

A Message from the Commissioner...

Welcome to the second issue of our employee newsletter. As you can see, we now have

an official title as a result of our contest. We chose DOC Eagle: Soaring to Greater

Heights of Excellence because it represents in a powerful image the ultimate goal of the

Department and you, our employees. Congratulations to our winner, Kathy Seabolt, and thanks to all of you who submitted an entry. It was clear from each entry that

thought and care were put into the message that you wanted this communication to

deliver.

Establishing an employee newsletter was very important to me because I believe it provides a special venue for recognizing employees in a very public forum. Also, it's invaluable as a

Jim Wetherington Commissioner

vehicle for providing relevant information that keeps you an informed part of the entire Corrections family. I've

been very pleased with the positive feedback from our first newsletter, yet I still want to hear from you if you see

a way it can serve you even better.

I hope that you'll have an opportunity to see and hear another message from me in a video that expresses my ap-
preciation and recognition of all that you do for the Department. In it, I'm extending my thanks as we recognize Correctional Officers Week, Nurses Week and Georgia Employee Recognition Week during the period May 6th through 12th. You are the heart and soul of Corrections and the reason we're an exceptional organization. I'm
proud to be a part of your team.

Kathy Seabolt, Training Manager for Facilities Northern Region, is the winner of the "Name the Newsletter" contest. Kathy started her career with Corrections in 1985 at Arrendale State Prison and worked at several facilities before joining the Training Section. Bravo to Kathy for her originality. Commissioner Wetherington will be visiting the North Georgia Regional Training Academy in the near future to take Kathy for her victory lunch.

A Little About our Winner...
Kathy Seabolt is the winner of the "Name the Newsletter" contest

PrograHmi'gs hlights 2 DIinvissiiodne this Issue:

Programs

2

Division

Professional

3

Management

Operation

4

"Noble Cause"

Around the

5

State

Recent

7

Retirements

E-Mail Etiquette 8

PROGRAMS DIVISION: Helping Those Who Want to Help Themselves
Commissioner Wetherington created the Programs Division in the Spring of 2001, putting medical services and offender programming into a new division. One mandate is to provide effective, research-based programming to inmates and probationers who want to help themselves. A goal is to reduce recidivism by targeting educational and work opportunities, coupled with cognitive-based programming specifically designed to change criminal thinking and behavior.
According to Program Director Beth Oxford, "the goal of the division is to deliver health services and to create a seamless system to afford offenders the opportunity to become productive, law-abiding citizens."
The implementation of two programs has been the first major "What Works" initiative for the division and early indications point to success. The Reasoning and Rehabilitation (R&R) program was the first to be introduced, with 60 staff from 30 different sites around the state being selected as R&R "coaches." These coaches, comprised of facility counselors and probation officers, spent several months preparing for the April 1st start date, including an intensive week of training earlier in the year.
The Prime for Life program, introduced this month as a possible replacement for Substance Abuse 101, will be piloted at 11 sites around the state. Twenty staff from these sites completed the training at GPSTC on April 11, 2002 and will conduct the first groups in July. This program utilizes the same curriculum that the DUI schools have used with proven success in our
communities.
DOC employees receive training as R&R coaches
"The success of any program depends, first and foremost, on the commitment of staff" said Commissioner Wetherington, who added, "Their work ultimately decides the level of effect they have on the offender population. We are very fortunate to have selected enthusiastic and committed staff to implement these new programs. We expect nothing less than overwhelming success as a result of their efforts."
Rhonda Tillman (left) a Program Development Consultant, assists in training
5th ANNUAL GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC SAFETY AWARDS Submit Your Nominations by July 12
It's time to start thinking about employees of our department who you would like to nominate for the Governor's Public Safety Awards. The program, started in 1998, recognizes those POST certified employees who contribute to the profession through their heroism, outstanding deeds or exceptional job performance. The deeds or performance must have occurred during the time period 7/1/2001 through 6/30/02.
Nominations must be approved by your chain of command, including the division office, and reach the Human Resources Division Office by the end of the business day on Friday, July 12, 2002. See your manager for details.

Page 2

THE DOC EAGLE

Professional Management Program (PMP) Preparing Us for the Future

The Professional Management Program (PMP), started in October 2000, is another one our training programs designed to train future leaders of the Department. The training is primarily for those employees who have completed the Basic Management Training Program and are interested in additional coursework in criminal justice and corrections. The PMP is a product of our partnering with Columbus State University.

Several aspects of the program make it different from traditional departmental training. The program is a five module, 25-day, 200-hour course of study covering numerous topics in the corrections field. Those selected for the program and who have not already completed significant amounts of college course work in criminal justice are entered into the School of Criminal Justice at Columbus State University. These students will receive three hours of semester credit for every module completed. HOPE Scholarship pays for tuition and books of qualified employees. The Department considers class and travel time as work time as well as allowing use of state vehicles, if available.

Several departmental managers spend time away from their jobs to be trainers for this program. They include Rick Jacobs, Michael Nail and Curtis Scott. The Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner attend as many of the classes as possible to give their perspective on management responsibilities with our Department.

Those who have graduated from the program are very positive about the benefits. Curtis Morning, Unit Manager at Metro State Prison, states: "Module Three taught me to expect success and remain optimistic about the outcome of my goals, despite any and all temporary setbacks or disappointments. It's truly a great program." Alexis Chase, Warden at Washington State Prison, explains: "The Professional Management Program has given me a requisite for a core management reference. My career goals were enhanced because of the program and implemented in my daily management style."

PMP currently has 71 students enrolled. Sixty-eight employees are enrolled for classes that begin fall semester. If you are interested in the program, talk to your manager or call Training at 404-244-5182.

The graduates from the inaugural program are:

Tony Henderson, Unit Manager

Sandra Moore, Deputy Warden

Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Prison Georgia State Prison

Lawana Grimes, Lieutenant Baldwin State Prison

Curtis Morning, Unit Manager Metro State Prison

Hilton Brandful, Lieutenant Lee State Prison

Charles Rogers, Lieutenant Dodge State Prison

Elaine Smith, Deputy Warden Burruss Correctional Training Center

Moses Daniel, Lieutenant Southwest Probation Detention Center

Thomas Ammons, Deputy Warden Montgomery State Prison

Carl Evans, Captain Scott State Prison

Stacey Stone, Lieutenant Wilcox State Prison

Dane Dasher, Captain Rogers State Prison

Bertice Ivey, Lieutenant Metro State Prison

John Huggins, Deputy Warden Arrendale State Prison

Randall Holden, Deputy Warden Ware State Prison

John Sellers, Assistant Superintendent Treutlen Probation Boot Camp

James Payne, Manager Communications Center

Rodney Cotton, Deputy Warden Dooly State Prison

Alexis Chase, Warden Washington State Prison

Richard Smith, Assistant Superintendent Samuel Dotson, Captain Rockdale Probation Detention Center Rutledge State Prison

Volume 1, Issue 2

Page 3

OPERATION "NOBLE CAUSE"
Very few people living in Georgia, or anywhere in this country, could have missed the reports of the gruesome discovery this year at the Tri-State Crematory in Noble, Georgia located in Walker County. Detailed descriptions of the search for and recovery of human remains became part of the daily local and national news. You may have seen pictures of some of the very heroic state employees working together to complete the unspeakable task of uncovering human remains. A number of these exceptional state employees came from the Georgia Department of Corrections.
In mid February, the Department received a request for assistance in Noble from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. Employees from the Probation Division and the Facilities Division worked at the crematory site for approximately two weeks. Probation personnel from the Northwest Probation Region and Facilities personnel from the fugitive squad and canine teams greatly assisted in every phase of the operation. These officers assisted by searching for, excavating and transporting human remains, clearing debris from possible burial sites, and providing security for the Joint Operations Center.
A truckload of grim-faced Georgia Department of Corrections Canine Handlers pass by Roy Marsh Road as they head into the Tri-State Crematory for another day of work at the site.
(Pictured on front row L-R is: Ronald Parson and Jerry Clark of LASP. Back row L-R is: Franklin Dodd of LASP, Brad Johnson and Scott Abercrombie of PSP. Photograph published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution
The collaboration of our DOC emloyees contributed immeasurably to the recovery of 339 human corpses that had been improperly disposed of. Their work not only assisted the GBI with the gathering of evidence, but also brought much relief to many families directly affected by this tragic and inconceivable event.
In order to help employees deal with this very disturbing work, Jim Durden, Chief Counselor at Walker State Prison, conducted a critical incident debriefing for the Probation staff. He was assisted by Michele Yarber, a CO from Walker. Woodrow Hudson, head of chaplaincy services, attended the debriefing and visited the site at Noble, where he provided counseling assistance and led group prayers. Look to page six for a listing of all DOC staff members who participated in "Operation Noble Cause."
SAFE DRIVING: It's Everyone's Responsibility
Remember that safe driving is an important part of our public safety responsibilities. Whether you are driving a departmental vehicle or your personal car, you should concentrate on being careful, courteous and responsible. One of the lives you save may be your own.

Page 4

THE DOC EAGLE

AROUND THE STATE...

A trainer at Johnson State Prison, Shawn Wombles (right) was featured with his wife and son in the December 28-- 30, 2001 edition of the USA Weekend Magazine. Shawn's son, Rhett, was featured as one of 6 babies born on September 11, 2001. Shawn has another connection to the day's events as he serves as the Johnson County Emergency Management Director, as well as a volunteer firefighter.

Ernestine Moore (above), CO at Metro State Prison, also obtained celebrity status in the press. A full-page picture of Ernestine was included in the annual "What People Earn" article in the June, 2001 issue of Atlanta Magazine. As a result of this article, she was included in the March, 2002 Parade Magazine article showing salaries across the nation.
Vaughn Andrews, a Community Service Probation Officer in the Special Supervision Unit in Atlanta, is leading a community effort to clean, revitalize and maintain an old cemetery in northwest Atlanta. The cemetery was owned by the James L. Mason Methodist Church, the only Atlanta church where blacks and whites openly worshipped together immediately after the Civil War. Vaughn obtained assistance with the project from the Georgia Department of Transportation, the District Office of the United Methodist Church, and Mr. Robert Lumus, owner of Lumus Wood Company.
Al Spears, is a Personnel Analyst 3 in Central Personnel Administration. Also the Georgia Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) State Inspector, he recently participated in a ceremony with State VFW Adjutant Richard Branson (center) during which they donated 12,000 Operation Uplift calling cards for use by the ground forces in Afghanistan. The Georgia VFW made the donation as a morale booster, and Lieutenant Colonel Will Garner (left) of the Third US Army, Ft. McPherson accepted the cards for the deployed personnel. Al (right), who is also a former probation officer, served in Vietnam, Africa, and the Persian Gulf during a 25-year military career.
George D. King, CO at Burruss, was promoted February 6th to First Sergeant, 94th Aeromedical Staging Squadron at Dobbins Air Reserve Base. George has over 14 years in the Air Force, with eight years in the reserves. At the age of 33, George is one of the youngest senior non-commissioned officers and the youngest First Sergeant at Dobbins. King's squadron is a 210 member unit responsible for the wounded. Congratulations, Sergeant King!
Tim Williams, Training Manager for all DOC training academies, including the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, is also deserving of congratulations for his military promotion. Tim, one of our deployed employees, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves in February. Congratulations Colonel Williams!
Rutledge State Prison is working to improve correctional officer job satisfaction through increased knowledge and skill. The officers pictured (right) have been selected to serve at the facility as field training officers (FTO). The newly implemented program will allow new graduates from BCOT to apply their newly learned skills while under the supervision of an FTO. The six-week program involves working two, six-day cycles on each shift while being mentored, coached, and evaluated by an FTO.

Pictured left are Front Row (L to R): Michael Fortson, Robert Williams, Cynthia Collins, Rhonda Davanport, and Cynthia Jones. Back Row (L to R): Ed Rollins, James Inman, James Johnson, and Terry Brooks.
Volume 1, Issue 2

Page 5

Operation "Noble Cause" (cont. from page 4)

The Commissioner and the Department deeply appreciate the work of the following staff who aided in the cleanup operation in Noble, Georgia. They are as follows:

Probation Division
Northwest Region Office Linda Silva, Regional Training Comp. Coord.
Appalacian Judicial Circuit: William Faucett, Surveillance Officer Roddy Turner, Surveillance Officer William Hellerstedt, Probation Officer II Kristi Payne, Probation Officer I
Cherokee Judicial Circuit: Eric Barber, Probation Officer II Dan Fox, Probation Officer II Holly Davis, Probation Officer I Judy Hawley, Probation Officer II Richard McAfee, Intensive Probation Officer Buddy Wilson, Surveillance Officer Mike Fowler, Probation Officer II Billy Bearden, Probation Officer III Todd Burgess, Probation Officer I Stan Cooper, Chief Probation Officer
Conasauga Judicial Circuit: Rebecca Burse, Probation Officer II Cindy McClure, Chief Probation Officer
Coweta Judicial Circuit: Allen Coody, Probation Officer II Laura Stanford, Probation Officer II
Douglas Judicial Circuit: Eric Gay, Probation Officer III Scott Roberts, Surveillance Officer
Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit: Frank Wood, Probation Officer II Scottie Hedden, Surveillance Officer Brent Martin, Probation Officer II Bo Payton, Probation Officer II Robert Gross, Probation Officer II Bobby Viers, Probation Officer II Sheila Logan, Probation Officer II
Rome Judicial Circuit: Patti Foster, Probation Officer II Phil Smith, Surveillance Officer Tiffany Taylor, Probation Officer Joan Kirkpatrick, Probation Officer
Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit: Jimmy Tipton, Surveillance Officer Scott Dean, Probation Officer III Jamie Harris, Probation Officer I Charlotte Harkins, Probation Officer I Tony Mitchell, Probation Officer II

Facilities Division
Ricky Myrick, Manager, Special Operations Jeff May, Fugitive Agent, Fugitive Squad Keith Lank, Fugitive Agent, Fugitive Squad Tom Caldwell, Fugitive Agent, Fugitive Squad Bob McKim, Canine Handler, Arrendale SP Scott Abercrombie, Canine Handler, Phillips SP Brad Johnson, Canine Handler, Scott SP Heath Whited, Canine Handler, Hays SP Tom Parker, Canine Handler, Hays SP Terry Rodgers, Canine Handler, Hays SP Stan Wicks, Canine Handler, Metro SP Adam Doss, Canine Handler, Dodge SP Ronald Parson, Canine Handler, Arrendale SP Franklin Dodd, Canine Handler, Arrendale SP Jerry Clark, Canine Handler, Arrendale SP Dwayne McIntyre, Canine Handler, GD&CP Greg Faircloth, Canine Handler, GD&CP David Turner, Canine Handler, Central SP
HERE'S TO YOU!
May 6th through 12th has been specially designated to give statewide honor to each of you who work for the State of Georgia. Separate proclamations have been issued by Governor Barnes declaring it "Correctional Officers Week," as well as "Nurses Week" and "Georgia Employee Recognition Week." The Board of Corrections has also issued resolutions honoring the work that you do for this Department.
"There are more than 14,000 employees working for the Department of Corrections, and each of you performs a critical task that enables us to meet our mission," said Commissioner Wetherington. "Whether you're a CO in one of our facilities, a nurse in our medical operations, or in any job throughout our Corrections family, each of you is a very important part of our agency. I am very grateful for each of you and the work you do."
Let's all join with the Commissioner and take the time to thank each of our fellow employees who do so much for Corrections and the people of Georgia.

Page 6

THE DOC EAGLE

RECENT RETIREMENTS: Thanks for Your Years of Service!

The following list includes the employees who retired in December, 2001 through March, 2002. We wish these employees the very best in their new endeavors.

Effective December, 2001: Carolyn Austin, Mens SP Ronald L. Bowman, Special Ops./DEA Ali A. Buchanan, Jr., Central SP Hiram Max Conner, Montgomery SP Talmadge Dopson, Jr., Joe Kennedy Farms Janet L. Foster, Smith SP Franklin Carlo Garbett, Southwest DC Herschel E. Grier, GD&CP Katherine V. Hawkins, Baldwin SP Colen Lee Horne, Montgomery SP William Legrant, Jr., Montgomery SP James R. Lynn, Rutledge SP Joyce W. Parrish, Augusta SMP Edwina Pfluger, GSP Bertice R. Reaves, Telfair SP James Rufus Tidwell, Rutledge SP Joyce R. Warren, Rivers SP Joe Perman Waters, GSP Edwin W. Westbrook, Lee SP Claudia B. Wyatt, Hays SP
Effective January, 2002: Cecil Armour, Arrendale SP Ray L. Bohannon, Arrendale Janette W. Clarkson, Cobb Circuit Larry G. Collins, Rogers SP Nadine H. Colvin, Ware SP Lawrence Candler Cross, GD&CP

William Louis Danforth, Telfair SP Jane P. Dopson, Macon SP Ann L. Fuss, Inmate Administration Richard W. Hagen, Sr., Homerville SP Elaine T. Kennedy, GSP Sophia Pearl Kitchens, Macon Diversion Ctr. Beverly A. Koon, Scott SP Ernest L. Kuhns, Houston Circuit Barry P. Ladd, Northeast Circuit Carlon A. Lewis, Rogers SP Donald Wayne Morrow, Lee SP Richard H. Nelson, Flint Circuit Willard Owens, Mens SP Linda W. Sharpe, Middle Circuit James C. Williams, Lee SP William H. Wilson, Augusts SMP
Effective February, 2002: David Davis, GSP Henry P. Friend, Rogers SP Gail D. Hammock, Cordele Circuit Freddie L. Hartry, Jr., Mens SP Larry Eugene Hill, GSP Cheryl M. Holcomb, Enotah Circuit Alvin Mitchell, Augusta Diversion Ctr. Wallace R. Moore, Ocmulgee Circuit Freddie Parks, Scott SP Jesse E. Sieck, Arrendale SP Leondraus Simmons, Central Detention Ctr. Talmadge L. Todd, Jr., Rogers SP

Kathleen W. Todd, Waycross Circuit Ricky D. Trull, Rogers SP Robert J. Wieczorek, Stone Mountain Circuit
Effective March, 2002: Jimmie R. Baker, Rome Circuit Marvin D. Besson, Western Detention Ctr. Harriette Sheryl Brewer, Alcovy Div. Ctr. John H. Clarke, Rutledge SP Johnny R. Collins, GSP James Henry Flowers, Columbus Div. Ctrs. Maxine B. Frazier, Scott SP Gilchrist N. Garrett, GD&CP William Warren Grimsley, Macon SP Martha Light, Phillips SP Claude McCann, Sr., GD&CP Garvis E. McElroy, Arrendale SP Jack E. Neumann, Rivers SP Thomas Joey Perdue, Rivers SP Larry T. Powell, GSP Doris W. Purcell, Hays SP Charlotte P. Swaney, Personnel Bobby Gene Tanner, GSP Craig A. Tatro, Inmate Construction Augustus Tiller, Metro SP William L. Usic, Valdosta SP Bland D. Wagers, Rogers SP Bradley Eugene Watson, Hays SP Joseph Thomas, Williams, West Ga. Det. Ctr. Toney E. Williams, Ga. Corrections Academy

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN: BENEFITS OPEN ENROLLMENT
It is Open Enrollment Time - the time of year we can make changes to our benefits. There have been a number of improvements to our benefits resulting in changes to our options, so please read the information you received with your form and attend the benefits fair in your area.
Enter your forms electronically. Go to www.gabenefits.org. The system takes you through the enrollment process and tells you what additional forms are necessary. Instructions are provided in the I Choose booklet that you all received.
Don't miss out. Those wishing to pick up life, short term or long term insurance must have an evidence of insurability form completed. Get the required UNUM form from your personnel office or representative. Last year hundreds of employees wishing to get the insurance could not because they did not submit the form.
Our Health Maintenance Organization options are expanding. Now, 118 counties in Georgia are covered by our HMO's. Aetna is no longer a part of our benefits program but the state has added United Health Care and Cigna.

Volume 1, Issue 2

Page 7

SAVINGS BOND DRIVE
The Savings Bond Drive for 2002 takes place this spring. Your personnel office can provide you information on offerings and how to buy them through the payroll savings plan. To complement the Series EE Savings Bond, the state is now offering the inflation-indexed I Bond that earns an adjustable interest rate that keeps your savings growing over and above inflation for up to 30 years. This means a rising cost of living won't erode your purchasing power. Do something good for yourself and the country buy a bond.
E-MAIL ETIQUETTE
1) Keep messages short and to the point. 2) Provide accurate descriptive subject lines. 3) Proofread your message before sending and be aware of the emotion you might evoke. 4) Check for misspelled words. 5) Adhere to the traditionally accepted rules of upper and lower case letters. All uppercase letters
reflect anger and shouting. 6) Keep punctuation marks at a minimum. 7) Use abbreviations sparingly. Regular Internet users use abbreviations to express emotion but
these will not be understood by the average user. 8) Use paragraphs and leave a blank line between them. 9) Be prompt in returning messages. 10) Delete unwanted messages immediately because of storage space and empty your email trash to
remove them from the system. 11) Reply to a message sent to you. Do not begin a new message because the complete thought may
be lost. 12) Do not send large or numerous attachments that might crash the system. 13) There is no such thing as e-mail privacy. E-mail may be misdirected, hacked, or monitored and
could lead to disciplinary actions. 14) Never open an email from outside the Department unless you are sure of its origin. Viruses may
infect everyone from one careless action.

This newsletter is available on the web at www.dcor.state.ga.us

Those with stories of interest should contact:
Peggy Ryan, Director Human Resources Division
Phone: 404-656-4603 Fax: 404-463-3324 E-Mail:
ryanp00@dcor.state.ga.us