Impact Georgia, Sept. 2006

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

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News and Facts to Keep You Informed - September 2006

Mission
The Georgia Department of Corrections pro-
tects and serves the public as a professional organization 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 protecting
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

Georgia Department of Corrections Partners with Albany Technical College and Albany State University
to Launch New Undergraduate Program

The Governor's vision of Faster, Friendlier and Easier service for Georgia citizens has translated to seamless educational opportunities for Georgia Department of Corrections employees. Albany Technical College hosted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) partnering Albany Technical College, Albany State University and the Georgia Department of Corrections on Thursday, August 24, 2006. This event creates a framework for a transitional curriculum allowing GDC employees who complete the Associate Degree from Albany Technical College to transfer, with little or no loss of course credits, to Albany State University.

"The ceremony symbolizes a strong link to the GDC continuing education initiative," said Corrections Commissioner James E. Donald. This partnership benefits our GDC employees and is a value added service that will pay significant dividends to both our staff and, ultimately, the citizens of Georgia."

The transitional curriculum partnership between Albany Technical College and Albany State Uni-

versity is the first of its kind for the citizens of Southwest Georgia. This formal process will enable

criminal justice personnel in Southwest Georgia to pursue their undergraduate studies and career

advancement opportunities.

"T " "We have an obligation to serve
the citizens of Georgia with the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in ensuring the safety of the greater community," said Commissioner Donald.

his benefits our GDC employees and is a value added service that will pay signifi-
cant dividends to the citizens of 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

Excellence in all we do! - Virginia Sherman (c), a tool control officer with GDC's Calhoun State Prison, is congratulated by Thomas County Sheriff R. Carlton Powell, a senior Board of Corrections member and Commissioner James E. Donald. The honored coin and certificate presentation recognizes her initiative in improving work processes in her department. "If you see a problem, you try to fix it," said Sherman

A giant step in the right direction - GDC Deputy Commissioner Brian Owens congratulates Georgia Department of Veterans Affairs partners on their completion of a self help guide targeting incarcerated veterans. The state of Georgia leads the nation in assisting its incarcerated veterans transitioning into the workforce through progressive rehabilitation programs such as this. Thirty days prior to release, the veteran's eligibilities are identified and processes initiated to begin reinstatement of those medical and pay eligibilities that were halted at the time of sentencing.

Continuation . . .

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News and Facts to Keep You Informed - September 2006

SPECIAL KUDOS

SAVANNAH GET READY! GEORGIA'S ON THE MOVE
A Re-Entry Partnership Supporting A Safe Georgia

"People reaching out... for people reaching up!"
Perry Volunteer Outreach has a solid partner with the GDC team as construction of its Grace Village Center continues to take shape. As a facilitator for GDC's re-entry initiatives, women returning to society can live up to three months in Grace Village at no charge. The training program will offer life skills and reinforce the significance of faith and moral character through group discussions and activities. "... if you teach a man to fish you can feed him for life. What we're hoping to offer is life skills," said Larry Wood, Outreach Minister at Grace Village. To donate or for additional information email: pvo@alltell.net

Wednesday, September 13 7:00 PM--9:00 PM
Thursday, September 14 8:00 AM--10:00 AM 10:00 AM--NOON 1:30 PM--3:00 PM 3:30 PM--5:00 PM

Visit our website at www.dcor.state.ga.us
Commissioner: James E. Donald
Public Affairs Director: Yolanda E. Thompson
Managing Editor: Tracy J. Smith
Photographers/contributors: Paul Czachowski Mallie McCord Tracy J. Smith

6:00 PM--8:00 PM
Friday, September 15 8:00 AM--10:00 AM
8:00 AM--10:00 AM
10:00 AM--NOON

Please direct comments

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

NOON

Public Town Hall Forum. Coastal Georgia Center Auditorium. Hosted by the City of Savannah. Providing an opportunity for open dialogue between local citizens and State Agency Representatives. Agency displays and information tables will be setup and staffed in the lobby of the Coastal Georgia Center. The public is invited.
Make the Right Choice, Choose Freedom. Savannah High School. Motivational presentations conducted by multi-agency teams.
Executive Session with City Council & County Commissioners. Hyatt Regency Savannah, 1st Floor, Plimsoll Room, 2 West Bay Street.
Multi-Agency Re-Entry Roundtable Session. Savannah Coastal Georgia Center Auditorium. A facilitated discussion format focusing on "Offender Re-Entry". This session will be open to the public.
Savannah Impact. A walk-thru of the center and program overview of the intensive Probation/Parole supervision initiatives, Juvenile Outreach & Offender Employment Program.
Partnership Team Building. Historic Roundhouse Train Station Museum. For invited community leaders and state agency partners.
Inter-Faith Breakfast. Coastal State Prison. Sponsored by local clergy. Providing an opportunity for open dialogue/questions & answers about faith and character based initiatives.
Make the Right Choice, Choose Freedom. Jenkins High School. Motivational presentations conducted by multi-agency teams.
Warden's Change of Responsibility Ceremony and Prison Tour. Coastal State Prison. Formal ceremony for installation of new prison warden. Following the ceremony, tours of the prison facility and the Corrections Division's Special Operations Tactical Squads will conduct capabilities demonstrations. Open to the public.
"Georgia On the Move" adjourns.