Impact Georgia, 2006 May

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

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News and Facts to Keep You Informed - May 2006

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

PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE . .

TATTNALL COUNTY: GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ON THE MOVE

Commissioner James Donald and the GDC executive team witnessed how

Pictured above: Valdosta State University Criminal Justice college students.

Governor Perdue asked agency heads to explore the possibility of moving state government outside Atlanta for a few days as a part of his customer service

effectively partnering with community stakeholders can work during the Tattnall County program last month. The two-date event, which

campaign. The Department of Corrections included the GDC board meeting, brought

spearheaded this initiative with the Georgia Department of Corrections on the Move.

together local residents, city, county and business officials and a "surprise" group of guests--six criminal justice college students and their professor from

Special greetings from GDC Board

Valdosta State University.

member Wayne Dasher kicked off the GDC on the Move event. GDC Board

Professor Shani Gray called the

members Wayne Dasher and Cecil Nobles hosted GDC staff during this twoday event. The Honorable Terry Bernard, State Representative, also attended the GDC on the Move program, to include the Board meeting.

Commissioner's office after reading about the GDC on the Move in the Glennville Sentinel newspaper. Professor Gray said she wanted her students to have the opportunity to take a closer look at state government in action. To participate, the

professor and her students drove over

Distinguished guests included Jean Bridges, Mayor of Glennville, and Mr. John Cheney, Executive Director of the

400 miles round trip to spend the day with Commissioner Donald and staff and tour GDC facilities in Tattnall.

Tattnall County Development Authority.

Cheney also made a presentation on local initiatives in the Tattnall region.

Pictured bottom Right: Canning Operations at Rogers State Prison.

One of the highlights of the GDC on the Move was a tour at the museum of the historic Georgia State Prison.

Pictured right: the electric chair that was used when death row was at Georgia State Prison.

Continuation . . .

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News and Facts to Keep You Informed - May 2006

SPECIAL KUDOS Special Operations

On April 27, 2006 the Mayor of the City of Byron awarded Officer Curtis Jackson and our City of Byron inmate work detail for their unselfish efforts in saving the life of a Byron city employee.
While digging a hole for a water line, two city employees became entrapped in the hole and covered in dirt. Officer Jackson and his detail responded to assist in the rescue of these employees. After several minutes of digging with shovels, the detainees and Officer Jackson pulled both employees out of the hole. Unfortunately, one of the city workers died in route to the hospital.
Visit our website at www.dcor.state.ga.us
Commissioner: James E. Donald

GDC's Tactical Squad officers demonstrated Dynamic Entry techniques for Tattnall County community leaders and residents. Dynamic Entry procedures are designed for use when an inmate is non-compliant, refusing commands and armed. According to Special Operations Director Rick Jacobs, the Dynamic Entry techniques allow tactical squad officers to neutralize a crisis to ensure the safety of staff and other inmates. GDC has 23 tactical squads which are strategically pre-positioned statewide at Level 5 facilities.
Special Operations' Canine Units also conducted presentations to demonstrate techniques used for cadaver detection, explosive detection and narcotics detection. GDC currently has 80 dogs in the canine unit, which also supports our state and federal law enforcement partners around the state.

Public Affairs Director: Yolanda E. Thompson
Managing Editor: Camille Y. Cunningham
Photographer: Paul Czachowski

Please direct comments or questions to:
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