Impact Georgia, Feb. 2007

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

News and Facts to Keep You Informed - February 2007

GEORGIA CUSTOMER SERVICE
"Faster. Friendlier. Easier."
Mission
The Georgia Department of Corrections protects 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.

Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory "Reaches Out" to Georgia's Inmates...

Faith and Character-Based Initiatives play a vital role in Reentry Services. On Jan. 4, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, led Mass for inmates during chapel service at GDCP in Jackson. The service provided a wonderful opportunity for highlighting the importance of faith-based partnerships in the process of changing offender behavior.

"I want to remind these men of the presence of Christ here and

in them, though they might be inclined to forget they belong to

Christ because of events in the past," said Archbishop Gregory.

Catholic inmates at GDCP.

(Photos, courtesy of "The Georgia Bulletin", by Michael Alexander)

"There may be a tendency to forget

that they have not passed from the heart of the church. It's

important for the church to remind these men and women they are

brothers and sisters despite their past."

Arnie Depetro, Corrections Division Director, and Warden Hilton

Hall escorted Archbishop Gregory as he visited the Catholic

inmates at GDCP.

According to GDC's Reentry Services staff, there are several ways in which

Faith and Character-Based Initiatives support offenders in risk reduction:

Support the treatment goals of the offender

(above) Dea. Tom Silvestri, Increase awareness of the reentry needs of offender

(l) welcomes new

Provide for additional resources through coordinated community partnerships

warden Hilton Hall (r) with Develop and nourish positive attitudes, values and beliefs

Jackson State Prison/

Enhance existing programs and services designed to change offender behavior

GD&CP director of

Promote stronger marital and family relationships

chaplaincy Rev Stanley
Harrell.
(Photo by Michael Alexander)

Encourage development and maintenance of pro-social associates Assist offenders in meeting parole or probation requirements

CORE GOALS 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

Three Wardens Move to New Appointments
Commissioner Donald announced the change of responsibilities for wardens appointed at Autry SP, Central SP and Lee SP, effective February 1, 2007.
Jimmy Autry State Prison in Pelham, GA Warden Thomas Ammons' career began in February 1987 with the Georgia Department of Corrections. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant at Ware State Prison in Waycross eventually achieving the position of Deputy Warden of Care & Treatment at Montgomery State Prison in March 1999. Prior to his new appointment, Ammons served as Warden at Wayne State Prison and Lee State Prison. As the new warden of Autry State Prison, Mr. Ammons will be responsible for the supervision of 1,500 inmates and approximately 350 employees.
Central State Prison in Macon, GA Warden Cynthia Nelson began her career with the Georgia Department of Corrections in December 1993 at Clyde N. Phillip State Prison in Buford as a senior counselor. She was promoted as Phillip State Prison's Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment in 1998. Her next promotions involved serving as the Superintendent of the Augusta Diversion Center and Superintendent of the J. C. Larmore Probation Detention Center in Atlanta. Prior to her new appointment, Nelson served as Warden for Jimmy Autry State Prison. As the new warden of Central State Prison, effective April 1, Ms. Nelson will be responsible for the supervision of 815 inmates and over 200 employees.
Lee State Prison in Leesburg, GA Warden Clayton Tatum began his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections in March of 1991, eventually becoming a Lieutenant at Calhoun State Prison in Waycross in 1996. He was promoted through the ranks until he became Deputy Warden of Security at Dooly State Prison in March 1999. Prior to his new appointment, Tatum served as Superintendent for Paulding Probation Detention Center and Deputy Warden of Security at Metro State Prison. As the new warden of Lee State Prison, Mr. Tatum will be responsible for the supervision of 720 inmates with a facility staff of 204 professionals.

Continuation . . .

Page 2 SPECIAL KUDOS!

News and Facts to Keep You Informed - February 2007
Fighting GeCoargmiap'saiMgenthTEapkiedsemOinc:MNeewthC! eGrtiafinegd AVdiodliectniocne!Counselors

We don't want to give it all away, but IMPACT GEORGIA will feature a man described as "A National Treasure" by Commissioner Donald. An advocate of the Faith & Character programs of the Georgia Department of Corrections he has committed his life to "Sowing the Seeds" of the Word of God and sharing a small piece of his complex with whomever wishes to stop by Metter, Ga. and enjoy the opportunity to meditate and appreciate the Word. Dedicating his life to a mission of outreach, his Daily Devotionals are printed in newspapers worldwide. His broadcasts reach millions including our forces overseas through the Armed Forces Radio and Television Network. Additionally, his website receives, literally, thousands of "hits" a day. IMPACT GEORGIA looks forward to sharing the Good News!!
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 Please direct comments or questions to:

Corrections launched a unique "in-house" education partnership to
eentryincrease the number of certified addiction counselors in the agency's Day Reporting Centers. The Mercer University College of Continuing and Professional Studies and the Georgia Department of Corrections recently hosted its first graduation ceremony for 25 substance abuse counselors who are completing the first phase of a special certification in Addiction Counseling.
ervices The special ceremony was held on Thursday, Jan. 11, in the Trustees' Dining Room at the Mercer University, Cecil B. Day Campus in Atlanta.
"Fighting Recidivism, Proactively!"
"We're facing an explosive meth epidemic across the state, and there is a huge shortage of certified addiction counselors in Georgia and nationwide," said Corrections Commissioner James E. Donald. "This joint effort helps us equip our staff with specialized skills and ensures we have access to welltrained professionals who can address an increasing population of offenders with substance abuse problems."

Carolyn Grindrod's Rome News-Tribune story begins focusing on the

difficulties of realizing a second chance in life. GDC is proud to report that that

idea is not entirely true! As one of six pilot programs throughout the state the

Rome Day Reporting Center Graduates held a celebration of life through the

cost-effective, proactive program that gives those who may have gotten off on

the wrong path a second chance.

Read about this exciting program in your press packets and congratulations to Megan Jones, 21, of Rome hugs her friend Wes

Billy Bearden, GDC's new statewide manager of Day Reporting Centers!

Bridges after graduation. Carolyn Grindrod / RN-T

GPAI "Awards" Facilities during
2007 Annual Training

LLiigghhttss Cameras Action!

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

At the heart of those rare and truly great companies is a corporate culture that rigorously finds and promotes disciplined people to think and act in a well-disciplined manner. With that Georgia Department of Corrections wants all of the men and women who make our mission a success to take a much
GOOD to GREAT! deserved bow. As we celebrate the year of going from...