Impact Georgia, Mar. 2007

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

News and Facts to Keep You Informed - March 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.

Leadership and Prayer
aithha&racter

Entrepreneur and author, John C. Maxwell,

eloquently describes a leader as "one who knows

the way, shows the way and goes the way."

Each day Corrections Officers are charged with maintaining an

environment that reintroduces those managed within our facility

to not only reshape their lives but embrace the importance of

carrying this 'lifestyle' forward and mentoring others.

Rev. Dr. Michael A. Guido, spoke at the Feb. 1 Leadership and

Prayer breakfast, sponsored by the GDC and offered encourage-

ment. He challenged those gathered to Guide through Moral

Leadership and to continue "Sowing the Seed" as faith and

character values are reinforced via education and, most impor-

tantly, example.

Deputy Warden Ken Carson is an example of the significance of lead-

ing by doing. A Gulf War veteran, Carson is a pastor at New Bethel

Christian Fellowship Church in Lafayette, Ga. His responsibility as the

Dep. Warden of Security at Walker State Prison can put his faith to the

test. His strength comes from a small dog-eared Bible he was issued by

the military chaplaincy just before the war.

It was this camouflaged Bible that he carried with him to lead the dele-

gates in the House of Representatives in prayer. A special invitation

from State Representative Jay Neal, (Walker County) brought him to

the capital steps and he embraced the moment to applaud his colleagues

Facilities Director Derrick Schofield welcomes Deputy War- and sow the seeds. den Ken Carson, of Walker State Prison, as he prepared to He described the opportunity as "overwhelming and an honor." As he

lead a devotional service for legislators of the Georgia House of Representatives last month.

met with several senators and chatted with Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.

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

TThhee Power
Georgia Department

ooff

TThhrreeee

of Corrections Welcomes

New Board Members....
Solid leadership is the key to success for

any business. The State of Georgia's

business model is structured to give the citizens

--its customers--positive returns on

its investments.

As a billion-dollar corporate subsidiary, the Department of

Corrections embraces the opportunity to receive input from those accomplished

in the private business sector and state government.

William "Bill" Acuff, Kristopher "Kris" Nordholz and Carl L. Franklin (pictured above l-r) are

examples of success as businessmen, government leaders, veterans and mentors ready to lend their

experience as new Corrections Board Members.

"Corrections is more than a holding environment," GDC Commissioner James Donald said. "We are

responsible for the safety of the citizens of Georgia which encompasses offering an opportunity for the

inmates and probationers in our facilities to have the tools to function after they have served their time.

We are fortunate to have knowledgeable leadership in place to provide guidance and put `what works' to

work for the department."

As we say hello to new friends; we congratulate and reflect fondly on the contributions of an old and trusted friend of the women

and men of Corrections. Ellis Wood has been an integral part of the development of several initiatives designed to combat

recidivism as a Corrections board member. A successful businessman and longtime support of Corrections and Law Enforcement

he will continue to serve the citizens of Georgia on the Board of Public Safety.

Continuation . . .

Page 2

News and Facts to Keep You Informed - March 2007

A S
P tlanta

THE BASICS OF LEARNING: EEdduuccaattiioonn FFaaiirr PPrroommootteess PPrrooffeessssiioonnaall

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C ransitional

Corrections is a professional learning DDeevveellooppmmeenntt OOppppoorrttuunniittiieess organization.

C I

A

enter

L KUDOS!

Our commitment to education and the professional development of our staff was strongly represented during the recent Edu-

cation and Job Fair in Milledgeville Thurs-

Georgia's

day, Feb.8. Warden Rose Williams played a

Department

lead role in partnering Corrections and Central State Hospital as

of
Corrections,
as a single employer, is the largest man-

"co-hosts" of this special event. Approximately 170 employees from three state agencies and one high school participated. Representa-

power resource for the state's Armed Services Reserve components.

tives from twenty-one colleges, universities and technical schools

The Atlanta Veteran's Center is one of many sponsored exhibits and met with interested employees.

new treatment facilities strategically located to offer health and counseling to those who

Mark your calendars for the next Education Fair, which will be held March 7 on the balcony

have fought for our freedoms. Many of them level of the Sloppy Floyd Towers, 10am to 2pm. Twenty-two colleges and universities have

Corrections Officers recently returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

already committed to attend, along with two financial aid organizations.

When ATC staff heard the center needed a hand sprucing up the environment designed

EXTRA!

for healing, they came with surprising reinforcements. Inmates who wanted to say thanks. "We have inmates who are veterans and some who simply appreciated what their C-O

The Second Weekend in March

EXTRA! EXTRA!
While we are on the subject of learning; take a look at

did while they were under their watch," Maintenance Supervisor Sheryl Mayberry said. "They wanted to do their part to give back

this months special "I.G." supplements. We take a look back at in the 2007 American Pardon and Parole

even if they can't serve."

Association's International Conference.

The small team of inmate maintenance experts constructed furniture and assisted with simple maintenance repairs. "The Veteran's Center is for all who have

Then mark your calendar - rev your engines and prepare to celebrate the bloom of the forsythia in downtown Forsyth, Ga. March 9-11. Georgia's Department of Corrections
will be well represented in Golf Tournaments, 5K Runs, children's activities and a free

served," said Dr. Lynwood Bradley, VA Team

concert featuring the Lovell Sisters.

Leader for the Atlanta and Macon areas and a veteran of Vietnam. "Now that we know where they are we can reach out to those

As we continue to inform and update the community on the GDC's move to Monroe County -Forsyth, Ga. Human Resource representatives will lead the charge in informing

veteran's who are incarcerated so they can identify their benefits once they are released."
Visit our website at www.dcor.state.ga.us
Commissioner: James E. Donald

C TAKING AIM: the community on employment opportunities and information on "What's Next" in Corrections! PARTNERS WITH A COMMON GOAL
orrections has partnered with the Aid to Imprisoned Mothers (AIM) to help facilitate visits between children and their incarcerated mothers. The group coordinates visits monthly so that the children are able to interact through

Public Affairs Director: Yolanda E. Thompson
Managing Editor: Tracy J. Smith

`playtime' with their mothers. Now in it's 20th year, AIM celebrated with a special visit February 10th at Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto, Ga. Chandra Fussell, GDC Program Director for the Substance Abuse Unit, applauds the partnership as a shared vision. "The program has been very beneficial in helping these mothers put their lives

Photographers/contributors: Paul Czachowski Mallie McCord Tracy J. Smith
Please direct comments or questions to:

back together and become better parents. Having the support of their families and being a part of their children's lives gives these women something to look forward to when they are reunited with their families outside the prison walls."
AIM grandly introduced plans to begin facilitating visits between children and their incarcerated fathers during the

Office of Public Affairs 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. East Tower, Suite 864 Atlanta, Georgia 30334

American Probation and Parole Association's International conference. (pictured above in yellow), Sandra Barnhill, AIM's Director was a featured presenter at the event and is elated with the partnership the organization has with state law enforcement.

Phone: 404-656-9772 Fax: 404-656-6434
Email: GDCinfo@dcor.state.ga.us

"Through this process, the healing of their family can begin," Barnhill explained to APPA participants. "Our goal is to expand an extraordinary vision of a community based organization working to help heal families after they are separated." For additional information on the Aid to Imprisoned Mothers; take aim at their website

http://www.takingaim.net

More than 1,000 international Corrections professionals and law enforcement leaders attended the second largest American Probation and Parole Association Conference in Atlanta, Feb. 11-14.
Georgia's Department of Corrections Probation Operations staff served on the local "hosting" team for the winter training session, which was co-sponsored by the Georgia Probation Association.
Highlighting the four-day, 40 workshop event was the Evidence Based Practices session presented by the Department of Juvenile Justice, Board of Pardons and Parole, and the Department of Corrections.
During his presentation, Commissioner James E. Donald stressed that it is imperative that GDC use evidence based tactics and techniques to plan and implement initiatives that address the needs of our increasing prison population. He also shared that "evidence based data" has been the catalyst driving Georgia's expansion of its residential substance abuse treatment (RSAT) centers and its expanded participation in character and faith-based organizations.
TEAM GEORGIA.
READY TO SERVE.