Impact Georgia, Oct. 2008

Faster. Friendlier. Easier

News and Facts to Keep You Informed
COLUMBUS STATE UNIVERSITY GRADUATES 90

On August 27, 2008, Columbus State University, along with the Georgia Department of Corrections held its annual Professional Management Program (PMP) graduation at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. Ninety employees received the Certificate in Criminal Justice from CSU. This was a significant increase from sixty for the first year of graduation in 2006.

The Certificate Program allows participating employees to acquire thirty semester hours of college credit that may be applied toward the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice at CSU. The hours earned may also be applied at other colleges for credit toward an associate or four-year degree. CSU and four partnering schools that accept PMP credits were on-site for the PMP graduation to make students aware of opportunities in their areas to continue further with a degree. Institutions represented were Albany Technical College, Middle Georgia College, Georgia Military College, and Thomas University.

The Department fully expects employees to apply the thirty hours PMP credit toward a college degree. The PMP program is supported by the department as an avenue for employees to meet state and departmental goals by assisting them with their academic and professional development. It is the state's goal to become a better educated Georgia.
For information on statewide education opportunities, please contact Delphine Reese, Statewide Education Initiative Coordinator, at www.reesed00@dcor.state.ga.us or 404.463.4596. The Director of Management Development, Bob Gaylor, may also be contacted at www.gaylor01@dcor.state.ga.us or 404.463.4605.

Arnold Smith, OPT Division Director, presents certificate to graduating student

GDC RECEIVES GOVERNOR'S WORK AWAY AWARD
GDC was one of eight agencies to receive the Work Away Program Governor's Award during the Work Away Summit, held at the Capitol Education Center on September 25th. Agencies earning this designation achieved the 2008 goals of having at least 25% of eligible employees participating in Work Away, timely reporting, complete PeopleSoft entry and status as "Best Workplace for Commuters."
GDC HOSTS PRISON SECURITY AUDITS TRAINING
Georgia Department of Corrections proudly hosted a training class on conducting security audits that was sponsored by the National Institute of Corrections. Coordinated by the Office of Investigations and Compliance, the training was an effort to gather best practices and opinions from other correctional professionals. Trainers and students from around the country gathered in Atlanta for a week-long program that included both classroom and field activities. At no cost to GDC, the group visited three state prisons, Metro State Prison, Phillips State Prison, and Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison, and conducted security audits. Participants reviewed policy and procedures and audited each facility using national standards.
Numerous comments were made referencing the great sanitation, structure and discipline maintained in GDC's prisons. One trainer commented, "I have been involved with this program in 15 different states over the last 7-8 years and have never been treated better or supported more fully by both institutional management and department executive staff, as evidenced by the minimal number of issues and recommendations in the audit report. The facility I audited is a very secure, well managed facility on par with any I have seen in my 38 years in corrections."
Thursday afternoon both auditors and GDC staff took time to share ideas and best practices. A detailed audit report will be forwarded to GDC by the National Institute of Corrections but the verbal closeout reflects GDC has a very sound and well managed organization that ensures the safe and secure operation of prisons.
Did You Know?
GDC, in partnership with Valdosta State University, is offering the opportunity for employees to complete an on-line Doctor of Public
Administration degree.

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
October 2008

Faster. Friendlier. Easier

Upcoming Events
Fitness Walk - October 15 Family Day - October 17 Macon SP Fast Track Ribbon Cutting - October 21 Dooly SP Fast Track Ribbon Cutting - October 29
Commissioner: James E. Donald Public Affairs Director: Joan Heath Managing Editor: Sharmelle Brooks Photographers/Contributors: Paul Czachowski Kristen Stancil
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

News and Facts to Keep You Informed
NURSING ASSISTANT OJT PROGRAM
The Georgia offender population is growing older and this older population requires increased medical care and additional funds to provide routine daily assistance. To meet this costly medical challenge, GDC's vocational education manager and the GDC medical staff initiated a Nurse Assistant On-the-Job Training program for offenders in the fall of 2007. Offenders completing this OJT program receive a certificate from Middle Georgia Technical College certifying they have achieved competency in providing routine assistance for daily living tasks. GDC medical staff and an OJT coordinator from the technical college supervise the offender Nurse Assistant OJT training. After completing the OJT program, they are assigned to GDC medical units to assist officers and staff with the offenders Inmates practicing CPR in OJT program living in these units. Five inmates recently completed the program at Men's State Prison and graduated on September 17, 2008. GDC plans to graduate 15 additional offenders by the end of December 2008. OJT program classes are being conducted at ASMP, Baldwin, Pulaski, Men's, Bostick and Johnson State Prisons. Public safety is the number one mission of the Department, and providing offenders with career and technical training is an important part of that mission. GDC wants to assure that offenders re-entering Georgia's communities are equipped with the education and training to secure employment. National and GDC data indicate that offenders who complete vocational training have a 12.3 % recidivism rate compared to a 27.9% rate for general population offenders.
2008-09 STATE CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS PROGRAM
The State Charitable Contributions Program (SCCP) was created in 1982 by the Georgia General Assembly. It provides state employees the opportunity to donate to eligible, creditable charities through regular payroll deductions, cash, check, or money order. We are in the midst of the 2008-2009 campaign which will continue until the end of November. This year's theme is "A Better Tomorrow Begins Today - Give From The Heart."
SCCP works to strengthen communities by supporting health and human service programs. These programs include services to the elderly, the sick, youth development activities, counseling for the troubled, and job training for the homeless. SCCP is the one way state employees can have an impact on a wide range of programs. It is efficient and effective, and our contributions go a long way in meeting the needs of people who are less fortunate. GDC employee contributions have increased over the years, totaling over $75K in annual contributions. These gifts work every day of the year, helping others to help themselves here in Georgia and overseas.
GDC PARTICIPATES IN KAISER PERMANENTE RUN/WALK
This year, at the Kaiser Permanente Run/Walk, twenty Georgia Department of Corrections employees participated as part of "Team Georgia for Wellness." Twenty-one agencies, 350 total state employees and 15,000 other participants made for an exciting, invigorating and memorable evening.
On Thursday, September 25, state employees gathered in their private tent in the Turner Field parking lot. Here they were presented with their special Team Georgia for Wellness T-shirts. Teammates then joined other participants in a warm-up for the 5K run/walk. Just before 7:00 pm, walkers and runners took to their spots to begin the 5K loop through downtown Atlanta.
As the state employees came in, they were rewarded with another T-shirt from Kaiser Permanente. The members of Team Georgia for Wellness were then able to relax and enjoy each other's company. Rupert's Orchestra provided live entertainment and even though they had just finished the 5K, state employees danced the evening away. A spectacular fireworks display capped off the evening.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
Billy Bearden Lookout Mountain Circuit CPO Joseph Baden Day Reporting Center Manager Tony Henderson Superintendent of Macon Transition Center

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

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