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 T E 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.