DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS News and Facts to Keep You Informed - October 2007 GEORGIA CUSTOMER SERVICE "Faster. Friendlier. Easier." Mission The Georgia Department of Corrections protects and serves the public as a professional organization by effec- tively managing offenders while helping to provide a safe and secure envi- ronment 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. The roar could be heard throughout eerrssoonnnneel l the conference halls as GDC Personnel Administration staff championed "Cheering for oonnffeerreennccee heering for Change! Story information contributed by Brad Patterson GDC Central Personnel Administration Change: Reengineering." A conference for field and central office HR staff, September 26 & 27, 2007, that introduced 135 participants to improved processes and new opportunities to make less do more. Cindy L. Schweiger, Director, Human Resources opened up the conference and encour- aged participants to look at new ideas and remain open to positive change as various agency leaders outlined recent departmental and HR initiatives. The one and a half day conference was filled with energy and learning. With briefings on the idea behind reengineering processes, they delved into group work- shops that encouraged dialogue and looking at ways to better streamline the hiring proc- ess. Michael Nail, Deputy Director, Corrections Division provided a motivational presen- tation on change that proved a crowd mover and shaker. They were also introduced to the much-anticipated new vacancy online announcement system that promises to streamline the hiring process. 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 of our Organization GDC launched a new website Friday, September 28, 2007 designed to reduce the lag time between position vacancy and publicly announcing a career opportunity within GDC. The GDCJobs.com website is an extension of Georgia's cutting edge telecommunications leadership, offering the best customer service through technology. The organized appearance gives the potential employee more information to make educated decisions in career choices. "The Department of Corrections does not intend to take away from personal interaction with potential employees," said Brian Nabors, GDC Personnel Analysis Manager. "This opportunity gives us another means to reach Georgia's most qualified individuals, those who may not have known what we had to offer, research positions available and determine what opportunity will give them control in managing a long-term career within our agency." Nabors' punctuated that the website model was designed with emphasis on the Governor's customer service initiative. GDC prides itself in leading change in managing a safe and secure environment for Georgia's citizens. This site leads change by `marrying' the mission of the agency with a professional, secure cyber-environment that brings career choice to career seekers with a click of the mouse. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS Page 2 News and Facts to Keep You Informed - October 2007 FITNESS FOCUS SPECIAL KUDOS It began with an eight-week kickoff encouraging exercise and health consciousness in the workplace. GET ACTIVE! was the battle cry and the get fit benefit culminated into a8-mile 5K run/walk and picnic Sept. 28. Congratulations to all GDC Employees who participated in the KP 25th Anniversary celebration. LaGrange businessman Charles D. Hudson was honored by his peers in a special ceremony for his nearly two and a half decades of service on the GDC Board of Corrections. "Mr. Charles", as he is affectionately known was presented the Legacy Award as appreciation for his effective contributions and recognizing his term as the longest serving Board of Corrections member. With four turns as Chairman "Mr. Charles" has been championing programs to combat recidi- vism since his first appointment to the Board of Corrections in 1983 under Gov. Joe Harris. The health focus kicked off with Hudson has long contended that drugs are at the base of the high rate of unwanted reGDCs Central Office Health Fair, turns and, In an interview with the Athens Banner-Herald, said recidivism could be cut Sept. 19. Participants had an opportunity to have GCHC nurses provide BP checks, Body Mass index analysis, Vision Screening and general Health Education. Midtown Chiropractic, Oasis Massage and various charitable awareness organizations for with more treatment within corrections that continued outside the prison walls. "It's going to take funding but think if we could cut that 27 percent by 10 percent. It would more than pay for itself." Hudson has also been instrumental in helping the GDC becoming more "Green" by digging-in with GDC and State construction services and facilities management with environmental cost-saving diabetes, cancer and arthritis also lent a hand in the interest of awareness. Raffles, massages, cooking (vegetable cake) and personal/ fitness demos highlighted the opportunity to learn more about staying health and getting fit. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Johnson As part of Commissioner State Prison Donald's Trans- GEORGIA GEORGIA GEORGIA GEORGIA GEORGIA SAVE THE DATE NOVEMBER 6 - 8 ON THE MOVE Visit our website at www.dcor.state.ga.us formation Plan, GDC dedicated a new Fast Track dormitory at Columbus Commissioner: Johnson State Prison James E. Donald with a ribbon cutting ceremony Public Affairs Director (acting): on Tuesday, September 18. Ed Strempel Fast Track Units are designed to provide bed Managing Editor: Tracy J. Smith space to relieve the county jails currently being used to house state inmates. The Johnson State Photographers/contributors: Paul Czachowski Mallie McCord Tracy J. Smith Brad Patterson Please direct comments or questions to: Prison Fast Track Units will add a total of 524 new beds, including a new 192 bed dormitory with a staff of 27 employees. Johnson State Prison currently houses 1660 inmates. Commissioner Donald attended Tuesday's cere- Office of Public Affairs 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. East Tower, Suite 864 Atlanta, Georgia 30334 mony along with state and local leadership. Corrections Division Director Arnie DePetro was in attendance as well. "The Department of Corrections is dedicated to being good stewards of public funds and we will Phone: 404-656-9772 continue in our efforts to assist offenders with Fax: 404-656-6434 restoration, restitution and rehabilitation." said Email: GDCinfo@dcor.state.ga.us Commissioner Donald.