Impact Georgia, Jan. 2010

TWENTY-THREE GRADUATE FROM NEW ORLEANS BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
The Georgia Department of Corrections, in conjunction with the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS), held commencement exercises on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at Phillips State Prison. Twenty-three inmates received an Associate's degree in Christian Ministry. Those inmates plan to continue their education through the NOBTS program and are scheduled to receive Bachelor of Arts degrees in Christian Ministry in December 2011.
In addition to earning a degree, inmates will minister within the Georgia prison system under the direction of a Chaplain.
The Leavell College of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary program began at Phillips State Prison in April 2008. It is modeled after programs at Angola State Penitentiary in Louisiana and Parchman State Prison in Mississippi.
Photos from top to bottom: Commissioner Owens congratulates graduates, Graduates await their diplomas, and an inmate speaks about his experience in the program.
DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZES EMPLOYEES DURING QUARTERLY AWARDS CEREMONY
The Department held its 18th Quarterly Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, December 2. Employees were recognized from the Corrections Division, Operations, Planning, and Training Division, Administrative Division, and Executive Operations. Probation Officer Tina Brock of the Clarksville Probation Office and Correctional Officer Tammy Nesbett of Hancock State Prison both received an Officer of the Quarter Award for their outstanding contributions.
Selected individuals received Customer Service Champion Awards for delivering exceptional customer service, and others were presented with the Unsung Hero Award for going above and beyond the call of duty. Faithful Service Awards were presented to dedicated employees with service ranging between five and 30 years.

January 2010 Newsletter
In this Issue:
NOBTS Graduation Quarterly Awards Chinese Delegation Visit Northwest / Thomasville DRCs Macon SP Thanksgiving Staff Holiday Breakfast Arrendale Fire Department Burruss CTC

Attendees at the Ceremony

PO Tina Brock receives the Probation Officer of the Quarter Award

The Problem Residence Committee (includes Re-entry and Sex Offender Administration)
receives the Unsung Hero Award

CHINESE DELEGATION VISITS BURRUSS CORRECTIONAL TRAINING CENTER

Twenty-five government workers from Jiangxi Province of China visited Al Burruss Correctional Training Center in Forsyth, Georgia on Thursday, December 3. Their visit included an overview of the correctional system in Georgia and in the U.S., a tour of the facility, as well as demonstrations on various operational tactics used by the Special Operations Unit.
"We're leaders in protecting the citizens as well as providing opportunities for offenders to achieve positive change," said Commissioner Owens. He adds, "We are excited that the Jiangxi Province of China sees Georgia's correctional system as one of the best in the nation."

Upcoming Events:
January 1 - New Year's Day (Holiday) January 11 - Legislative Session begins January 12 - Clayton Day Reporting Center Commencement Ceremony January 18 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Holiday)

NORTHWEST & THOMASVILLE DAY REPORTING CENTERS HOLD RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONIES

The Northwest Day Reporting Center held its ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, December 15. The center will serve approximately 100 probationers in Whitfield and Murray counties. It is located in Dalton, Ga.

The Thomasville Day Reporting Center held its ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, December 17. The center will serve 100 probationers in Thomas County. It may also serve Colquitt, Brooks, Lowndes, and Echols counties.

Commissioner Owens cuts the ribbon with the help of Gen. James E. Donald of the State Board of Pardons & Paroles and other dignitaries.

Assistant Commissioner Derrick Schofield prepares to cut the ribbon with the help of the Probation Operations Director Stan Cooper; Southern Circuit Chief Judge Harry
Jay Altman II; Southern Circuit Superior Court Judge James Hardy and other dignitaries.

MACON STATE PRISON HOSTS ANNUAL THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON TO HONOR TROOPS
Macon State Prison hosted its Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon in honor of deployed staff. Family members were also invited to attend. Macon State Prison has eight Military staff deployed.

Did You Know?
The Department currently has 13 Day Reporting Centers that serve approximately 1,130 probationers.

A patriotic collage of deployed staff was displayed in recognition of each staff member's dedicated service to our nation.

Warden Rick Jacobs; Assistant Commissioner, Derrick Schofield; and Macon County Board of Education member, Charles Ivey presented a Certificate of Appreciation to representing family members. Mr. Ivey was also the guest speaker of the event.
Assistant Commissioner Derrick Schofield, daughters of deployed Lt. Eldridge Payne, and Warden Rick Jacobs

Pictured is a display employees created in honor of deployed staff

CORRECTIONS STAFF ENJOY ANNUAL HOLIDAY BREAKFAST
Central Office staff had their Fifth Annual Holiday Breakfast on Wednesday, December 16. Staff brought in a variety of breakfast dishes to share.

Employees decorated the room with snowflakes, a snowman, presents, and a tree to add to the holiday spirit.

Left and right photos: Staff members socialize over breakfast.

Commissioner Brian Owens
Public Affairs Office: Joan Heath, Director Sharmelle Brooks, Editor Kristen Stancil, Contributor Peggy Chapman, Contributor
Contact: 404-656-9772 GDCinfo@dcor.state.ga.us
www.dcor.state.ga.us

LEE ARRENDALE FIRE DEPARTMENT WINS UNIT CITATION AWARD
The White County Fire Department presented the Lee Arrendale Firefighters with the Unit Citation Award on Friday, December 4. The female firefighters respond to a variety of calls from house fires to motor vehicle accidents.
Calls are handled in Habersham, Banks, and White Counties and in the City of Baldwin.
The Department has a total of 17 fire departments.
Lee Arrendale Firefighters
BURRUSS CTC WINS BEST CHRISTMAS PARADE FLOAT
The Hometown Holidays Christmas Parade is an anticipated annual event in Forsyth, Georgia, the home of Burruss Correctional Training Center and Tift College. The theme for this year's parade was "Christmas Past and Present." The staff of Burruss CTC produced an award-winning float taking 1st Place in the Non-Commercial category.
The float was decorated with hundreds of lights and displayed Tift as the former college campus and the future home of the Georgia Department of Corrections.

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REMINDER: Education Day will be at Baldwin State Prison in Milledgeville on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Colleges and the GDC Statewide Education Coordinator, Delphine Reese, will address education needs for prison and probation employees in the area. Contact Nathan Handberry, Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment, at 478.445.5218 for more information.