Impact Georgia, 2008 July

Faster. Friendlier. Easier

News and Facts to Keep You Informed
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS CUTS RIBBON AT TRANSITIONAL CENTER
The Georgia Department of Corrections held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Lee Arrendale State Prison Transitional Center Thursday, June 19. Lee Arrendale State Prison provides housing for female offenders. More than one hundred attendees were on hand, including Transitional Center residents, to hear Corrections Commissioner James E. Donald speak about the Department's passion for helping change lives. "I look forward to seeing these women redeem themselves, so they can be a positive force on young children." A current resident also spoke of the skills she has obtained while residing at the Center, including health and life skills, work ethic and financial guidance. The Department currently operates 15 transitional centers with 2,807 beds. The centers provide select offenders the opportunity to slowly integrate back into society with a job. Research shows offenders are one third more likely to succeed in maintaining a crime free life after staying in a transitional center.
Pictured left to right: Joe Hatfield (Executive V.P. of Fieldale Farms), BJ Blair (Re-entry Coordinator), Arnie Depetro (Director-Corrections Division), William Roger Waldrop (Board of Corrections), Tim Mauldin (Superintendent LATC) Commissioner James E. Donald, Rev. Cynseria Jenkins (volunteer)
Did You Know?...
If the GDC was a city, it would be the second largest city in Georgia with nearly 15,000 employees and more
than 200,000 inmates and probationers.

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.
Core Goal
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
July 2008

Faster. Friendlier. Easier

Upcoming Events
Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Week July 13-19 John Terwilliger's Retirement Celebration July 31 Senior Leadership Off-Site August 5-8
Commissioner: James E. Donald Public Affairs Director: Joan Heath Managing Editor: Sharmelle Brooks Photographers/Contributors: Paul Czachowski Mallie McCord Kristen Stancil

News and Facts to Keep You Informed
BOARD OF CORRECTIONS HONORS WORK OF OFFICERS
GDC Probation Officers were recently recognized for their service to the community as part of National Probation and Parole Officer Week. This annual celebration recognizes these community corrections professionals and the outstanding work they do in protecting the public and restoring offenders to the community.
Pictured left to right: Roger Garrison, 6th District Board of Corrections, Stan Cooper, Dir. Probation Operations, Will Driver, PO III-Elberton, Phillip Fortson, PO II- Athens, Dawn Corbin, PO III-Lawrenceville, and Crystal Cooper, PO II-Winder, Commissioner James E. Donald
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FACILITY HOSTS VETERANS INFORMATIONAL FAIR
Johnson State Prison hosted an Incarcerated Veterans Informational Fair on Wednesday, June 18. One in 13 inmates is a veteran and about 50 are at Johnson State Prison.
Representatives from numerous agencies attended the fair: Georgia Department of Labor, Georgia Department of Veterans Services, State Board of Pardons and Paroles, Veterans Administration, Social Security Administration, Dublin Career Center, Fatherhood Program, Heart of Georgia W.I.A. Services, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.
The Incarcerated Veterans Informational Fair began a year and a half ago and Johnson State Prison was host to the fourth. The purpose is to inform veterans about the services available to them. Another fair will be held at a different facility before the end of the year.

Please direct comments or questions to: Office of Public Affairs 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive East Tower, Suite 864 Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Phone: 404-656-9772 Fax: 404-656-6434 Email: GDCinfo@dcor.state.ga.us

GDC CHAPLAINS RECEIVE CUSTOMER
SERVICE TRAINING
Department of Corrections Chaplains received Customer Service training at the Chaplains Workshop held June 9-10 at GPSTC. The training workshop was an opportunity for Chaplains and volunteers to learn more about Governor Perdue's Office of Customer Service and for them to receive the Commissioner's mandated CS training.
The Chaplains are high profile within the facilities and routinely come into contact with a wide variety of internal and external customers such as offenders, staff, volunteers, Clergy, community faith groups and volunteers. They address various groups and are a great service to families through encouragement. The Chaplains were addressed by various DOC staff members while Cathy Smith conducted the majority of the training. The workshop raised the bar for Customer Service among the Chaplaincy Corps as well as the rest of the Department.

Visit our website at www.dcor.state.ga.us

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