Impact Georgia, Nov. 2005

CGJAOMMeEMSoISESr.IgODNOiENaRA:LDDepartment of Corrections

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News and Facts to Keep You Informed - November 2005

Mission
The Georgia Department of Corrections protects and serves the public as a professional organiza-
tion by effectively managing offenders while helping to provide a safe and secure environment for the citizens of Georgia.
Vision
The Georgia Department of Corrections is the best
corrections system in the nation at protect-
ing the citizens from convicted offenders and
at providing effective opportunities for
offenders to achieve positive change. We are a leader and partner in making Georgia a safer,
healthier, better educated, growing and
best managed state.
Core Goal
A Safer, Healthier, Better
Educated Growing, and Best Managed Georgia
Core Organizational Principles
Value Based: Stewards of the Public Trust
Embrace Change: Change, Transformation is
inevitable
Business Acumen: Better Business Practice
A Learning Organization: People are the Centerpiece

Inmate Population Profile

Gender # of inmates - 47,752 # of male inmates - 44,990 # of female inmates - 2,762

Race Black - 29,756 White - 17,709 Other - 185 Indian - 52 Asian - 50

Age (14-19 years) - 2,883 (20-29 years) - 15,315 (30-39 years) - 14,237 (40-49 years) - 10,781 (50+ years) - 4,536

New DOC Initiatives

otherwise prison-bound offenders report daily to the center to receive intensive services such as daytime drug treatment, counseling and the preparation they need to stay out of prison. Offenders attend classes and counseling sessions, and are tested for substance abuse every other day.
The Probation Management Act (HB1161) allows for pilot alternative sentencing and sanctions in four circuits. During Fiscal Year 2004 the Department implemented its plan of opening four new day report centers with federal funds. The locations, modeled after the Atlanta center were constructed in Rome, Jonesboro, Macon and Tifton.

Visit our website at www.dcor.state.ga.us
Working Against Recidivism (WAR) Bill Prison Industries Enhancement (PIE)
Currently, we are pending PIE certification from the federal government.
PIE was created by congress in 1979 to encourage state and local government to establish employment opportunities for prisoners that approximate private sector work opportunities. It is designed to provide offenders a realistic working environment, pay a local prevailing wage, and enable them with marketable skills to increase their potential for a successful rehabilitation and employment upon release.

The program lasts approximately nine months. The offenders get to stay at home in the evening and surveillance officers insure they are where they are supposed to be.
It is still too early to claim success, but after two years the felony reconviction rates for the graduates is 7% - compared to a matched control group's 27%.
The cost to keep one person in a DRC for one day is $12, whereas the cost to keep one person in prison for one day is $45.
For the same amount of money required to operate one prison for one year, we can operate 34 Day Reporting Centers.

In Texas, an inmate sent his children to college while earning pay through prison industry employment.
Day Reporting Centers
One in every 15 adults are under some form of correctional supervision. Approximately three-fourths of the adults incarcerated, on probation or on parole are there because of illegal drug use and the crimes they committed to support their addiction. To deal with the most severe cases of alcohol and substance abuse among the probation population, Day Reporting Centers (DRCs) were implemented. DRCs are just one of many types of alternative solutions. These

Ombudsman & Family Advocacy
The Office of the Ombudsman & Family Advocacy acts as a bridge between concerned civilians and the Department of Corrections by gathering information that potentially uncovers and reduces problems within the corrections system thus ensuring that the rights and safety of offenders are protected.
For further information on the Office of Ombudsman & Family Advocacy, contact the office Monday - Friday at 404-657-7588 or ombudsman@dcor.state.ga.us

Continuation . . . COMMISSIONER:
JAMES E. DONALD

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News and Facts to Keep You Informed - November 2005

Commissioner James Donald & Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC, Minister of the Criminal Justice system and Offender Management in London England
Let's Welcome our New Board Members!
A.D. Frazier Resident of Atlanta, GA Member of the Ga.
Bar Association and the Atlanta Bar Association
Bill Jackson Resident of Appling, GA Served in General
Assembly for 16 years
Commissioner: James E. Donald
Public Affairs Director: Yolanda E. Thompson
Managing Editor: Camille Y. Cunningham
Please direct comments or questions to:
Georgia Department of Corrections
Office of Public Affairs 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. East Tower, Suite 864 Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Phone: 404-656-9772 Fax: 404-656-6434 Email: GDCinfo@dcor.state.ga.us

Faith and Character Based
The Georgia Department of Corrections has implemented Faith and Character Based Programs to provide the State of Georgia, the Department of Corrections, and its citizens with a model for positive change in the lives of the offenders. This program will enhance public safety through community partnerships that will support the offender's successful transition from custody to community.

The Georgia Department of Corrections has approximately 15,000 employees, the majority of whom have only a high school diploma. These employees are dedicated public servants who work hard to keep the community and their facilities safe and secure. The GDC Education Initiative seeks to invest in these employees' futures by providing opportunities for higher education and by setting the following goals for every employee who does not have a college degree:

The most recent Faith & Character Based Dorm Graduations were as follows: Valdosta SP - October 13, 2005 Calhoun SP - October 14, 2005 Macon SP - October 6, 2005 Hays SP - October 20, 2005 Pulaski SP - October 27, 2005

2 year Associate Degree within five years 4 year Bachelor's Degree within ten years
For more information, please contact Truett Goodwin, at 478-993-4565 or goodwt00@dcor.state.ga.us

Peach State Housing

Each Faith and Character Based Dorm will

be receiving two computers to aid in helping The Peach State Housing Initiative is a

inmates learn computer skills. The computers unique public and private collaboration

will include internet simulated software.

assisting those living in rural areas of the

state with decent, affordable housing. The

The first Faith and Character Based Dorm challenge of providing affordable housing to graduate, Dion Hawkins, spoke at the Faith the 10,000 plus correctional officers, GDC Based Advisory Board Meeting in September. staff members and other state employees,
residing in primarily rural communities

More good news! Faith and Character Based Dorm Chaplain positions are being converted to full time positions. This month we will welcome three new Chaplains to the Corrections team. Those Chaplains will be assigned to the

necessitates a practical, obtainable and sustainable vision. GDC and DCA are targeting this shortfall with this bold initiative enabling home ownership for those who may have previously avoided the market or have credit issues that need to be resolved.

following facilities:
Hays State Prison Metro State Prison Valdosta State Prison

The River Way Developers, LLC purchased 63.4 acres of land in Milledgeville from landowner Dan Tomlin. Housing unit construction is scheduled to begin later this

One Team

year. The development will be 240 units of attached town homes and the development

Education Incentive

cost of this project is expected to be approximately $24-26 million.

The Georgia Department of Corrections is a

learning organization and values the continuing education of its employees. We believe all staff should strive to improve their value to the organization by continuous learning about our chosen profession.

Other areas of the state that stand to benefit from The Peach State Housing Initiative pilot program are Stewart, Randolph and Calhoun Counties. Plans are to eventually expand the program throughout the state of Georgia.