Impact Georgia, 2010 May

May 2010 Newsletter
DEPARTMENT ONE OF EIGHT STATE AGENCIES TO RECEIVE PROCLAMATION FROM FORSYTH MAYOR
The National Crime Victims Rights Day Ceremony
was held at State Offices South at Tift College on April 12, 2010 in Roberts Chapel. Participants included GDC, Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Georgia Board of Pardons & Paroles, Governor's Office of Public Safety, Georgia Board of Public Safety, Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia, Department of Juvenile Justice and Governor's Office of Family and Children Services.
Forsyth Mayor, Tye D. Howard, presented each agency with a Proclamation for their work with victims in Georgia.
Pictured left to right: GDC Commissioner Brian Owens, Richard A. Malone of the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Ga., Frederick Huff of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, Mark McDonough of the Dept. of Public Safety, Molly Perry of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, DJJ Commissioner Albert Murray, Danielle Ruedt of the Governor's Office for Children and Families, and Gale Buckner, Chair of the State Board of Pardons & Parole.

In this Issue:
Crime Victims Week Out 4 Life Conference Commissioner's Challenge Customer Service Initiative Macon Transitional Center Wardens' Roundtable Discussion Columbus Day Reporting Center
Upcoming Events:
May 4 - Griffin Day Reporting Center Commencement Ceremony
ANNOUNCEMENT: Annual Education Day with colleges and universities for area employees at Lee Arrendale State Prison Thursday, June 3. Contact Karen Wilbanks at 706-776-4724.

We take our mission of protecting the publc very seriously and that's why we continue to support victims of crime.
- Commissioner Brian Owens
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS CO-HOSTS OUT 4 LIFE CONFERENCE The Department co-hosted the Out 4 Life Conference along with Prison Fellowship, March 29 - 31 at
Embassy Suites in Atlanta, Ga. Conference participants were educated on the needs and services that former inmates require in order to become contributing members of society. Bottom picture: Conference attendees. Pictured to the right is the Atlanta Transitional Center Choir's performance.

Did You Know?..... Every day approximately 50 inmates are released from prison in Georgia.

STAFF PARTICIPATE IN COMMISSIONER'S CHALLENGE
The First Annual Commissioner's Challenge was hosted by Special Operations at the Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Prison. A leadership competition, an obstacle course, and tug-of-war were all part of the challenge. This challenge marked the beginning of a milestone for the Department. The objective of the competition is to enhance the physical fitness standards and to increase motivation and morale for the Tactical Squads, Correctional Emergency Response Teams (CERT), and Canine Units. An awards ceremony was held and five recipients earned the following awards:

Excellence in Physical Fitness Standards Award Charles Brantley--Baldwin State Prison Tactical Squad Excellence in Marksmanship Award Johnny McDaniel--Wilcox State Prison Tactical Squad Excellence in Policy and Procedures
Jason Welborn--Northeast CERT Probation Office

Excellence in Team Leadership GDCP Tactical Squad The overall winners of the Commissioner's Cup: Hays State Prison's Tactical Squad

GDC PARTICIPATES IN "A GREAT STATE TO
SERVE" INITIATIVE
The Department, along with seven other state agencies, is participating in an initiative to improve workplace satisfaction. Workplace satisfaction measures employee perceptions of the quality of their workplace. The initiative is known as "A Great State to Serve." The goal is to develop and implement best practices in the areas of communicating, inspiring and thanking employees. The expected outcome is to create a model of these best practices for other agencies to replicate and to raise overall satisfaction. Recently, OCS hosted a focus group to gain insight from staff of participating agencies. During the focus group, participants learned that there are three key drivers of employee satisfaction: Trust, Pride, and Camaraderie. Participants presented their recommendations for improvement in selected areas. Representing GDC and also pictured to the right, are Captain Aimee Green of Metro State Prison and COII Darian Hines of Metro State Prison, POII Monique Grier of the Carrollton Probation Office and GDC Customer Service Champion Cathy Smith.

MACON TRANSITIONAL CENTER GRADUATES PARTICIPANTS FROM CDL PROGRAM
On March 25, 2010, the Macon Transitional Center held a graduation for inmates that have completed the Commercial Driver's License Program. This program trains inmates to operate semi trucks and prepares them for employment in the trucking industry. While at the center, must also obtain and maintain employment and participate in mandatory groups. All graduates passed written and driving tests conducted by the Department of Driver Services, and were issued CDL Licenses.
Guest speakers were Commissioner Brian Owens and Director of Parole, State Board of Pardons & Parole, Beth Oxford. Pictured left is Instructor Ron Roy (middle) and graduates of the program.
WARDENS' ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
The Corrections Division recently implemented a Roundtable discussion for new Wardens, Superintendents, and GDC Facilities Executive Leadership. The first Roundtable discussion was held on March 25, 2010 at the State Offices South at Tift College with nine Wardens and three Superintendents present. These discussions present an opportunity for new Wardens and Superintendents and GDC Facilities Executive Leadership to interact in discussion that presents a teaching and learning strategy. This promotes collaborative learning and critical thinking to solve potential problems, challenges and or individual concerns for novice Wardens and Superintendents.
Pictured to the right are: Warden Jose Morales, Corrections Division Director, Michael Nail, Commissioner Brian Owens, Assistant Commissioner Derrick Schofield, Facilities Director Timothy Ward, Marty Allen, Belinda Davis, Alan Carter, Gregory McLaughlin, Kathy Seabolt, Sheila Oubre, Brad Hooks
COLUMBUS DAY REPORTING CENTER RECEIVES AWARD
On March 25, 2010, the Columbus Day Reporting Center (DRC) was presented with the Valley Rescue Mission 2009 Retail Award for community service. In 2009, the participants of the DRC performed over 10,000 hours of community service at the Valley Rescue Mission's Bargain Center Store. Valley Rescue provides many services to the community, including shelter, clothing and food for the homeless and drug rehab programs for men and women.
Pictured left, Front Row: Debi Carmickle (Valley Rescue), DRC staff include Denise Skipper, Sara Webb, Ginger Hearron, Debbie Ammons and Back Row: Linda Parker, Darla Spencer, Josephine Ford, Douglas Pernell.
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