Impact Georgia, Mar. 2010

March 2010 Newsletter
DEPARTMENT HOLDS FIRST BASIC CORRECTIONAL OFFICER TRAINING COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY AT STATE OFFICES SOUTH AT TIFT COLLEGE The Department of Corrections held commencement exercises on Thursday, February 11, 2010 for Basic Correctional Officer Training (BCOT).
After five weeks of training, 134 cadets graduated and became GDC Correctional Officers.
This ceremony marks the first graduation this year and the first ever held at State Offices South at Tift College. Commissioner Brian Owens spoke at the ceremony, which was held in Roberts Chapel. The Department has 96 facilities located across the state, where these 134 Correctional Officers will be placed. James Lewis of Coastal State Prison was presented with the Director's Award. This award is offered to an outstanding cadet who contributes and demonstrates outstanding leadership skills above and beyond the normal expectations. This is only the third time this award has been given out in the last 10 years. Left photo: Cadets march into the ceremony. Right photo: Commissioner Owens presents CO James Lewis with the Director's Award.

In this Issue:
BCOT Graduation at Tift College Fire Marshals Deputization Ceremony Wilcox State Prison Columbus Day Reporting Center Autry State Prison Public Safety Board Resolution Macon Transitional Center

Upcoming Events:

"Correctional Officers are the backbone of our agency and I want to thank each of them for upholding our mission.
- Commissioner Brian Owens

March 16 - GDC Quarterly Awards Ceremony
March 13-14 - Forsythia Festival
March 17-19 - Georgia Probation Association Mid-Winter Conference
March 28-31 - Out 4 Life Re-entry Conference

Professional Management Program (PMP) Registration Dates:

Monday, March 8 at 9 AM - Cherokee County at Sheriff 's Annex Wednesday, March 24 at10 AM - Milledgeville at Arnall Building Tuesday, March 30, at 9 AM - Atlanta at the Metro State Prison Butler Building Wednesday, April 7 at 8:30 AM - Tifton at the Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College Thursday, April 15 at 9 AM - Savannah at Coastal SP

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GDC FIRE MARSHALS DEPUTIZED AT ANNUAL CEREMONY
On Tuesday, February 2, five Georgia Department of Corrections' staff members were sworn in as State
Fire Marshals for 2010. The Fire Marshals were sworn in at the State Capitol building by the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, John Oxendine.
Each year on the first Tuesday of February, the State Fire Marshals are deputized for service for the coming year. This ceremony authorizes this select group of individuals to ensure life safety for the citizens of Georgia by reviewing building plans and specifications for compliance with fire code, conducting 80 percent and 100 percent completion inspections on new construction, and issuing Certificates of Occupancy.
Top photo: Fire Chiefs and Inspectors are sworn in. Bottom Photo from left to right: Chief Tommy Maddox, Middle District; Chief Don Shugart, Southern District; Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, John Oxendine; Chief Jessica Maher, Northern District; Director of Fire Services, Sylvester Hall Jr.; and Station Chief, Larry Brown.

Did You Know?... The Georgia Corrections Academy can train more than 2,600 cadets per year.

WILCOX STATE PRISON HOLDS CEREMONY FOR GED GRADUATES
Wilcox State Prison held GED Graduation on Wednesday, January 27, 2010. Wilcox SP, along with its satellite facility, Turner PRC, had a total of 57 graduates. The keynote speaker was Major General (Ret.) James E. Donald, State Board of Pardons and Parole. Other guests included Johnny Sikes, Field Operations Manager; David Humphries, Director of Parole Decisions; Anita McCleod, Management Specialist; and Norm Felland, State Education Director. Alan Carter is the Warden at Wilcox State P and Jarrell Walker is Superintendent at Turner PRC.
COLUMBUS DAY REPORTING CENTER HOSTS COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
The Columbus Day Reporting Center held its commencement ceremony on Monday, February 8 at the Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church. There was a total of 15 participants.
The center opened in 2008 and serves offenders in Muscogee, Harris, Talbot, Taylor, Marion, and Chattahoochee Counties.
On right: Participants of the Day Reporting Center Program.
MITCHELL COUNTY FIRE ASSOCIATION HOLDS ANNUAL APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
On November 17, 2009 the Mitchell County Fire Association held its annual appreciation luncheon for the Autry State Prison Fire Department. The site for the luncheon was the Autry Fire Station and the 35 attendees included the Warden and other staff from Autry State Prison, Department of Corrections Fire Chiefs, a member of the State Patrol, a representative of the Georgia Forestry Commission, City of Camilla and Regional Fire Chiefs and Volunteers, County Commissioners, the Mitchell County 911 Director, and Field Operations Manager, Johnny Sikes. Warden Bruce Chatman and Camilla Fire Chief Beck presented 25 certificates of merit to members of the Autry Fire Department.
Photo of back row from left to right: Jose Cruze, Inmate Fire Fighter; Chief Bobby Beck, Camilla Fire Department.; Chief Derris Delk, Autry State Prison Fire Department; Bruce Chatman, Warden; Sylvester Hall Jr., Director of Fire Services; Larry Brown, Fire Services; and Jessica Maher, Fire Services. Bottom row: Bruce Morgan, Inmate Fire Fighter; Josh Anderson, Inmate Fire Fighter; Douglas Ross, Inmate Fire Fighter; and Mark Waters, Inmate Fire Fighter.
YOLANDA HARRISON PRESENTED WITH AWARD & BOARD RESOLUTION
On Thursday, February 11, The Board of Public Safety presented Yolanda Harrison with an award of appreciation and a Board Resolution for her work with the Department of Public Safety.
Harrison has been with the Department since 2008, and is currently the Administrative Assistant for Assistant Commissioner, Derrick Schofield.
On right: Harrison is photographed with the members of the Board of Public Safety.
MACON TRANSITIONAL CENTER HOSTS QUARTERLY FAMILY DAY EVENT
Macon Transitional Center held a quarterly Family Day event on February 11. Guest speaker, Dr. Lonzy F. Edwards, offered motivational and inspiring comments to residents, family members, and staff. Dr. Edwards is Chairman of the Bibb County Commission and pastor of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Macon. The Macon Transitional Center resident Choir performed. Comments were also presented by Minister Mable R. Randall, Central State Prison Warden William Terry, and Superintendent Karen Jett.
On left: Dr. Edwards speaks to the Macon Transitional Center residents and their family members.
Commissioner Brian Owens Public Affairs: Joan Heath, Director; Sharmelle Brooks, Managing Editor; Kristen Stancil, Contributor; Peggy Chapman, Contributor Contact: 404-656-9772; www.dcor.state.ga.us