Impact Georgia, Feb. 2010

February 2010 Newsletter
GOVERNOR PERDUE TOURS GEORGIA CORRECTIONS ACADEMY

In this Issue:
Georgia Corrections Academy Columbus Mayor Wetherington Clayton DRC Graduation Pulaski State Prison Metro Transitional Center Telfair State Prison Smith State Prison

Photo by Alana Joyner

"We are excited about the completion of the Georgia Corrections Academy.
- Commissioner Brian Owens

Upcoming Events:
February 8 - Columbus Day Reporting Center Commencement
February 25 - Corrections Leadership Institute (CLI) Graduation

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The Department of Corrections hosted an open house on Friday, January 22, 2010 at Tift College in Forsyth. This event celebrated the opening of the Georgia Corrections Academy at
its new location. Governor Sonny Perdue gave the keynote address.
The event also included self-guided tours, a recruiting and employment booth, and performances by the Metro State Prison Choir, "Voices of Hope."
Groundbreaking for the new Corrections' Headquarters was held in the summer of 2006. The Georgia Corrections Academy is the first of three phases of the Corrections' Headquarters move into the newly renovated complex and will provide training for all of the state's probation and correctional officers. Staff development training will also be offered for all non-security staff to include counselors, food service, and administrative staff. The final phase of the Tift renovation is currently underway, with completion scheduled for October 2010.
MAYOR WETHERINGTON VISITS METRO ATLANTA DAY REPORTING CENTER
On Wednesday, January 13, Columbus Mayor and former Department of Corrections Commissioner, Jim Wetherington,
toured Metro Atlanta Day Reporting Center to learn more about its Community Impact Program (CIP).
Mayor Wetherington would like the Columbus Day Reporting Center to adopt the program to better supervise offenders and assist them in their job search.
The Metro Atlanta Day Reporting Center started the program in 2009, which mirrors the Savannah Impact Program (SIP).
The program involves forming partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, as well as the Department of Labor, to create intense supervision, substance abuse counseling, and support programs to enhance high-risk offenders' re-entry into the community.
Photographed is Mayor Wetherington

Did You Know?...You can find GDC on Facebook and Youtube. Here, you will find photos of events, videos, and more.

CLAYTON DAY REPORTING CENTER HOLDS GRADUATION CEREMONY
The Clayton Day Reporting Center held a commencement ceremony on Tuesday, January 12. The center graduated 29 participants.
Participants had to complete three phases to graduate from the program. The first phase allows 30 to 45 days of detoxification and cognitive restructuring. This phase also requires offenders to be drug tested every other day. The second phase is 2 to 6 months and focuses on maintaining sobriety, education, and employment. The third phase is six months of aftercare that focuses on maintaining sobriety by drug testing offenders throughout the 6 months.
Since its opening in 2005, the center has graduated 183 participants.
PULASKI STATE PRISON COLLECTS ITEMS FOR THOSE IN NEED
Pulaski State Prison celebrated the holiday season with community service. The employees collected can goods for Toys for Tots, supplies for soldiers deployed overseas, and items for senior citizens. All of the goods were delivered to the intended recipients before the Christmas holiday.
Pictured left to right: Chaplain Judy Knapp; Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment, Angela Grant; Warden Tom Chapman; Warden's Secretary, Patricia Brown; and Unit Manager, Tommy Bowen.
METRO ATLANTA TRANSITIONAL CENTER HOSTS ANNUAL CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY
On Saturday, December 19, 2009, the Metro Transitional Center held its Annual Children's Christmas Party. During this event, the children of the female offender population are able to spend quality time with their parents and participate in games, enjoy lunch and receive toys.
Sponsors such as Stepping Beyond, Inc., Hope for the Hopeless Ministries, Pathfinders Ministries and Restoration Life Outreach Ministries provided much needed toys and games for the children for this event. This year The Calvin Johnson Jr. Foundation (NFL Player Calvin Johnson) also contributed toys for the event. The members of the organization were so inspired that they announced that the organization will officially sponsor this event during the upcoming years.
TELFAIR STATE PRISON PRESENTS QUARTERLY AWARDS TO EMPLOYEES
Telfair State Prison recently presented the "Employee of the Quarter" awards for the 4th quarter of 2009.
Overall "Employee of the Quarter" award went to Correctional Officer Cecil Faison. Officer Faison was hired in October of 1998. He has done a tremendous job with intramural sports for the inmate population. Keeping close security inmates occupied is key in decreasing behavioral issues. Officer Faison continually demonstrates a teamplayer attitude and can-do spirit.
Pictured from left to right: Warden Donald Barrow and Correctional Officer Cecil Faison.
SMITH STATE PRISON SELECTS EMPLOYEES FOR QUARTERLY AWARDS
Correctional Officer Linda Kennedy and Linda Dansby, Secretary II for the Deputy Warden of Administration, each received the "Employee of the Quarter" award for the 4th quarter which is October through December 2009. These employees have truly exemplified the Georgia Department of Corrections motto of "One Team," by demonstrating outstanding job performances and customer service.
Officer Kennedy began her career with the Department in 1994 and Ms. Dansby in 1988.
Pictured fom left to right: Linda Dansby and Correctional Officer Linda Kennedy.
Commissioner Brian Owens Public Affairs Office: Joan Heath, Director; Sharmelle Brooks, Managing Editor; Kristen Stancil, Contributor; Peggy Chapman, Contributor Contact: 404-656-9772; www.dcor.state.ga.us