DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS News and Facts to Keep You Informed - September 2007 GEORGIA CUSTOMER SERVICE "Faster. Friendlier. Easier." is the Charm! rd Annual GDC Awards 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 3rd Annual GDC Awards Ceremony was held on Thursday, August 2 at GPSTC, Forsyth, Ga. eelleebbrraattiinngg oouurr Commissioner Donald delivered remarks and praised employees for their hard work. eeooppllee The ceremony was a great opportunity for all GDC employees to applaud their fellow workers. GDC Board Chairman Wayne Dasher and Assistant Commissioner Brian Owens assisted in the presentation of awards. 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. eople are the centerpiece of our organization! Employees were honored in various categories including "Correctional Officer of the Year", "Probation Officer of the Year", and "Employee of the Year". Faith based and partnership awards were presented to members of the community for their continued work with GDC. FFIIRREE SSEERRVVIICCEESS:: Ware County Honors First Responders Six inmate firefighters from Wayne State Prison were a small representation of hundreds of inmate and probationer teams honored during the Georgia Wildfire Responders field day at the Okefenokee Fair Grounds. 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 The August 25 celebration honored first responders throughout the nation and inter- nationally who braved the heat against the largest wildfire in the state's history. Recognizing the monumental acreage lost to the "Monster", as it became known, Fire Chief Jimmy Brown was visibly moved as he applauded the unabashed bravery of the volunteers who fought to protect the city of Waycross, surrounding counties and the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. State representative Mark Hatfield (R - Way- cross) personally "patted the backs" of the inmates before a crowd of 200 from the community and continued the theme of pride and heartfelt appreciation. "These people are heroes," Hatfield said visually pointing out the honorees. "They chose to do the job and for that they have shown courage, commitment, and concern." The wildfire that started in April consumed over 400,000 acres. , The collective efforts of the first responders resulted in NO loss of life and only 26 structures destroyed. Story contributed by Uzoma Anadu, GDC Program Development DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS Page 2 News and Facts to Keep You Informed - September 2007 FITNESS FOCUS SPECIAL KUDOS Congratulations to Basic Correctional Officer Cadets, Charles Brailsford from Scott State Prison and Tiffany Houston from Coastal State Prison for finishing the 1 mile run/walk part of the fitness assessment with the fastest male and female times. Charles' time was a very impressive 6 minute 14 second mile. COURTESY OF CLAIRE PATE Editor, GDC Health and Wellness Update Excellence in Probation The Georgia Probation Association's 50th Annual Conference was held August 15-17 at Jekyll Island. Probation Officers from around the state met for two days and participated in training sessions on subjects such as retirement, Re-Entry issues and recruitment and retention. Commissioner Donald addressed the participants at an awards banquet. 2006 GDC INDIVIDUAL FITNESS AWARD When his doctor advised him to change his diet and incorporate exercise into his life, Pat McGahan a Sergeant with the Emanuel Transitional Center took ownership of his life. By walking before & after his shifts, drinking water, taking alcohol out of his diet and eating healthier, Sgt. McGahan has become an example to others within the agency by losing over 100 lbs! CONGRATULATIONS Director of Strategic Initiatives, Patricia Smith, received the highest honor at the conference, the Lee Broome Memorial Award for Excellence in recognition of her strive for excellence in probation. Ms. Smith was honored for her outstanding career in Corrections. Retirees were also honored at a breakfast to celebrate their careers and to be honored by their peers. FOOD & FARM Record Setting Crops and Canning Visit our website at www.dcor.state.ga.us Commissioner: James E. Donald Public Affairs Director (acting): Ed Strempel Managing Editor: Tracy J. Smith Photographers/contributors: Paul Czachowski Mallie McCord Tracy J. Smith Uzoma Anadu Claire Pate Please direct comments or questions to: 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 On August 15, Fulton County Commissioner Emma Darnell presented a proclamation to Atlanta Transitional Center residents William Alexander and Vinson Allen for helping a wheelchair bound man who had fallen onto a track at the North Avenue MARTA station. Mr. Alexander and Mr. Allen attended the monthly Fulton County Commissioner's Board meeting where they were praised for their unselfish act of bravery. Corrections Division Coordinator Calvin Brown was on hand to deliver remarks on behalf of GDC and he praised Mr. Alexander and Mr. Vinson for their actions. Commissioner Donald and Norman Wilson of Food and Farm Operations acknowledged the staff and correctional officers at Rogers State Prison for their bumper crop of potatoes this harvest. They set a new record with 100,700 cases canned at the canning plant. The previous record was 96,000 cases. Total vegetable production this year is also a record at 207,000 cases. Franklin Beauford, MARTA Assistant Manager of General Operations commended the residents and hopes to aid in helping the residents seek employment once they are released from ATC.