Impact Georgia, Nov. 2008

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((( IMPACT GE RGIA
News and Facts to Keep You Informed
November 2008 Issue

GDC HONORS ITS VETERANS

In honor of Veterans' Day, the Georgia Department of Corrections has produced a campaign to ensure all Veterans, both employees and offenders, are recognized and informed of all the benefits that may be available to them.
The campaign will begin the first week of November and will contain informational materials including a poster and brochure, both of which will be sent to all facilities, an informational sheet that can be used as a quick reference for incarcerated Veterans benefits, along with a "Guidebook for Incarcerated Veterans." Employee Veterans can visit the GDC web site to view benefits.

serving the Armed Forces today," said Corrections Commissioner James E. Donald. "We are proud to honor the heroic deeds of fellow employees as well as those incarcerated that have served our country."
The Department has 446 staff Veterans, 378 males and 68 females. One in 13 inmates are veterans.
As of October 23, 2008, the Georgia Department of Corrections has 100 of its employees activated in support of the War on Terror.

"Veterans' Day is an opportunity for us to thank the countless military members

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 Stewarts of the Public Trust
Embrace Change Change, Transformation is inevitable
Business Acumen Better Business Practice
A Learning Organization People are the Centerpiece

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Did You Know?
The State of Georgia has 765,000 Veterans. The U.S. has a total of 23.5 million Veterans. (Figures as of July 2008)

2008 GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC SAFETY AWARDS

GDC's own, Surveillance Officer Frank ficer Rhodes ran back to the window,

G. Rhodes was recently honored for grabbed the man and pulled him the

his Act of Heroism at the Governor's An- rest of the way through the window.

nual Public Safety Awards. Officer Rho-

des, along with Probation Officers Benn Officers Rhodes, Dunn and Yawn

Dunn and Wes Yawn were delivering brought credit to our Agency by their

arrest warrants in Thomaston, Georgia actions. These officers are heroes and

when they noticed smoke coming from measure up to the high standards that

a trailer nearby.

exemplify the sacrifices made by brave

men and women daily in Public Safety

Officer Rhodes observed a man inside jobs in this great State.

the trailer striking a small window with

( MEN'S STATE PRISON WINS WHITE CANE AWARD Officer Frank G. Rhodes and Gov. Sonny Perdue at the Governor's Public Safety Awards at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.

his fist trying to break the glass. Officer Rhodes broke out the glass with his flashlight and the man attempted to crawl out the window. At about this time, a propane tank inside the trailer exploded sending shrapnel flying. With no regard for his personal safety, Of-

Officer Rhodes began his career with the Department of Corrections in 1989 as a Correctional Officer at Valdosta State Prison, and has served as a Surveillance Officer in the Griffin Judicial Circuit since 2006.

The National Federation of the Blind of Georgia (NFBGA) selected Men's State Prison as a recipient of the prestigious White Cane Award. Men's State Prison was presented with the award at NFBGA's Annual Black Tie-White Cane Appreciation Banquet on Saturday, October 25th at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

of our facilities has received such an honor," said Commissioner James E. Donald. "Men's State Prison is doing great things for the community."
The National Federation of the Blind of Georgia, Inc. (NFBGA), is a 501-C (3) non-profit volunteer organization of blind people improving the quality of life

for all who are blind. Members of the

Men's State Prison was recognized

NFBGA possess the knowledge, skills

for its Braille production program that and life experience that work toward

provides Braille textbooks and other

making a positive difference in the fu-

materials to help promote literacy for

ture of all blind adults and children.

school aged children who are blind.

"The Department is proud that one

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EMPLOYEE SUPPORT SERVICES

Sometimes those everyday problems, if left unattended, can end up threatening our personal relationships and even our jobs. For those times, there's Employee Support Services. It involves three different services that are targeted at providing assistance to employees of GDC and GCI and their household/family members: EAP, CID and ADR.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) usually involves employee/management or employee/employee dis-

agreements. ADR provides a forum to cludes referral, limited counseling and

resolve disputes positively at the earliest information to help resolve the issue/

opportunity.

situation.

Critical Incident Debriefing (CID) is a process to assist the survivor of a traumatic event (job or non-job related) and to help with the recovery process.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) involves assisting employees and their household/family members with job or non-job related issues/situations that affect his/her job performance and in-

To utilize one of the ESS services, you can either contact your local EAP or CID coordinator or contact Julie Harnage, GDC's Statewide Employee Assistance Program Coordinator at 404-463-6623 or harnaj00@dcor. state.ga.us.
Be on the look out for some exciting ESS initiatives in the coming months!

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WARDEN RECEIVES GOVERNOR'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD

On October 8, Governor Perdue honored 16 state employees and teams at the Second Annual Governor's Customer Service Awards. The recipients were recognized for the extraordinary service they provided this year.

GDC's own Victor L. Walker, Warden - Augusta State Medical Prison, was selected as the 2008 Team Georgia Customer Service Employee of the Year. This recognition is presented to the individual demonstrating the most exceptional example of customer service in the state of Georgia.

Winners were selected from an outstanding 636 nomina-

( BI-ANNUAL FAMILY DAY HELD IN MILLEDGEVILLE tions from 49 agencies. "Part of making Georgia the best managed state is improving customer service and recognizing those employees who serve as a shining example," said Governor Perdue.

Pictured from left to right: Scott Wilkes (Care & Treatment Deputy), Stephanie Billue (Deputy Warden of Admininstration), Sharon Davis (Administrative Assistant to the Warden), Commissioner James E. Donald, Warden Victor L. Walker (Augusta State Medical Prison), Wendy Squires (Field Operations Manager), Harris Hodges (Corrections Division Dir.), Thalrone Williams (Director of Training), Cathy Smith (Customer Service Champion), and Arnold Smith (OPT Division Dir.)

Twice each year, the Department holds a half-day event for family members, significant others and friends of inmates as part of its continuing effort to provide customer service. The most recent event was held October 17th in Milledgeville, and was attended by Assistant Commissioner Owens, Corrections Division Director Harris Hodges and

with our leadership team," said Corrections Commissioner James E. Donald. "We want them to have an outlet to discuss their concerns and provide us with feedback."
In addition to Family and Friends Day meetings, Corrections has an Office of the Ombudsman and Family Advocacy, which has been able to assist

other senior Corrections officials.

a number of families with inquiries

Approximately 60 inmate friends

and concerns through telephone and

and family members registered to e-mail contact.

attend.

"We want to give relatives and significant others a chance to meet

AUTRY STATE PRISON FIRE DEPARTMENT GRADUATES TWO
Autry State Prison held a ceremony for two inmates who recently graduated from the firefighting program. Warden Terry Duffey addressed the attendees and spoke about fire services.
Craig Tully, Chief of the Colquitt Fire Department also spoke to the attendees. Former Aurty inmate and Autry firefighter, Edward Wilcox, shared his story about being a former inmate. He now works for the Pelham Fire Department.
The two graduates, Pharyl Boddie and John Almand, were presented with certificates of completion.

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FORMER NBA REFEREE VISITS BURRUSS CTC
Ken Hudson, motivational speaker and former NBA referee, visited Burruss CTC October 16. Mr. Hudson received a tour from Warden Carl Humphrey and staff. During his tour, Mr. Hudson spoke with inmates, teens and adults, about their plans for the future and how they plan to become productive citizens. After touring two dormitories, he spoke to approximately 20 young offenders that are part of an educational program. Some of the young offenders talked about their offenses and what their plans are for the future. Mr. Hudson discovered that some of them had artistic talents, as well as great athletic abilities. Mr. Hudson believes the greatest gift we can give the youth is our genuine interest and an opportunity to redeem themselves.

Ken Hudson speaks to teenage inmates about their future
FAST TRACK RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONIES
Macon State Prison The groundbreaking for Macon State Prison's Fast Track building began in 2007 and was completed on September 25, 2008. The new 256-bed "M-building" will house medium security inmates. Housing additional inmates in this building will increase their total capacity to 1752 inmates.
Pictured left to right: George Ivey (Unit Manager at Macon State Prison), Kenneth Cutts (representative from Congressman Sanford Bishop's office), Mayor Willie Larry (City of Montezuma), Mayor Gerald Beckum (City of Oglethorpe), Warden William Terry (Macon State Prison), Representative Mike Cheokas (Sumter County) and Assistant Commissioner, Brian Owens

UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov. 10 - Veteran's Day Celebration Open Enrollment Ends
Nov. 11 - Veterans' Day (Holiday) Nov. 12 - Lunch & Learn - Diabetes Education Nov. 18 - Rome DRC Graduation Nov. 25 - Griffin DRC Graduation Nov. 27-28 - Holiday Nov. 28 - Charitable Contributions Campaign Ends

Dooly State Prison The groundbreaking for Dooly State Prison's Fast Track building began April 18, 2007 and was completed on August 18, 2008. The new 256-bed building will house medium security inmates. Housing additional inmates in this building will increase their total capacity to 1704 inmates.
Pictured left to right (front row): T. Harry Hurt (Judge-Southwestern Judicial Circuit), Lynmore James (Representative Dist. 135), Belinda Davis (WardenDooly State Prison), James E. Donald (Commissioner), Emerson Lundy (Mayor of Vienna, Ga.)

Also in attendance was Brian Owens (Asst. Commissioner), Harris Hodges (Division Director), Harry Ward (Dooly County Commissioner), Charles West (Mayor of Unadilla, Ga.), Corporal Richard Peck (Ga. State Patrol), Sgt. Leamon Hughes (Ga. State Patrol).

Commissioner: James E. Donald
Public Affairs Director: Joan Heath
Managing Editor: Sharmelle Brooks
Photographers/Contributors: Kristen Stancil Sharmelle Brooks

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