November 2010 Newsletter Governor Honors Department With Two Awards The Governor held the Tribute to Team Georgia and The Fourth Annual Customer Service Awards ceremony at the Georgia World Congress Center on Tuesday, October 12, 2010. Eric Sellers, Warden of the Burruss Correctional Training Center in Forsyth, was recognized by Governor Perdue with the "Customer Service Award for Individual Excellence." This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to the citizens of Georgia over the last year. In this Issue: Governor's Annual Awards GDC Quarterly Awards CERT Team Competition Probation Officer Safety Training Program State Charitable Contributions Event Former Inmate Speaks at Prison Upcoming Events: November 2 - Griffin Day Reporting Center Commencement Ceremony November 10 - Philip Dodson Road Dedication Ceremony / Veteran's Appreciation Gov. Sonny Perdue promotes Faster, Friendlier, and Easier service for Georgia's citizens November 11 - Veterans' Day Holiday (Recognized on Thursday, Nov. 11) Gov. Sonny Perdue presents Wardens Eric Sellers with award Warden Sellers began his career with the Department as a Counselor in 1989. He has served in his current position since July 2010. The Probation Reporting Contact Center (PRCC) was honored with the "Customer Service Award for Outstanding Process Improvement." Probation Operations Director, Stan Cooper, accepted the award on the contact center's behalf. This award was given to a division or program within the state that designed and implemented a planned improvement or initiative that has resulted in a significant positive impact on their customers over the last year. The Probation Reporting Contact Center is an automated probation supervision system for managing low-risk probationers. The PRCC currently serves nine probation circuits. Gov. Sonny Perdue congratulates Probation Operations Director, Stan Cooper, on behalf of PRCC win In addition to the winners, the Department was also nominated for the "Most Improved Organiza- tion." The Department was one of two agencies that had finalists in three categories. Nominees were judged by a blueribbon panel of leaders from the business community and the public sector. Commissioner Owens was selected to speak on the successes of the customer service initiatives that have improved service and organizational efficiency in our agency. November 12 - State Offices South at Tift College Ribbon Cutting Ceremony November 19 - Family Day in Milledgeville, Ga. Department Honors Outstanding, Faithful Employees The Department recognized employees at its 21st Quarterly Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, October 19, 2010. guest speaker and encouraged staff to make donations to the organization for the State's Charitable Contributions Program. Employees were recognized from the Corrections Division, Operations, Planning, and Training Division, Administration Division, and Executive Operations. 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. A representative from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta was the Sgt. Heath Whited shown AWARD RECIPIENTS Correctional Officer of the Quarter Sgt. Heath Whited of Hays State Prison Probation Officers of the Quarter Dawn Corbin, Jason Cabrera, Ryan Baird, and Brian Glibreath of the Gwinnett Probation Office Customer Service Champion of the Corrections Division Dale Flynn Unsung Hero of the Corrections Division Tony Hailes Customer Service Champion of the Operations, Planning, and Training Division Gene Quinn, Rao Manekar, Suzanne Sturm, Rachelle Willoughby (OIT Web Services Team) Unsung Heros of the Operations Planning, and Training Division Antonio Johnson, Carolyn Liggins, Miya Perrimon, and Alfreda Sutton Customer Service Champion of the Administration Division Maryann Swain Unsung Hero of the Administration Division Bonita J. Jackson Unsung Hero of Executive Operations Kerry Anderson Probation Operations Director, Stan Cooper, presents Quarterly Probation Officer Awards to recipients Did You Know?.... The Department of Corrections raised more than $37,000 last year for the State Charitable Contributions. Correctional Emergency Response Teams Compete To Be On Top The Inaugural Commissioner's Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) Challenge was held on Friday, October 1, 2010 at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison. The challenge consisted of four events, which included firearms, a leadership course, an obstacle course, and tug of war. There were 12 finalists, which consisted of 11 CERT Teams and one team from the Canine Unit. The winners are listed by the event categories below: Challenge Winners The Valdosta State Prison CERT Team took first place, along with the Commissioner's Cup and a year's worth of bragging rights. The Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison came in second in this category, while Hays State Prison came in third place. Obstacle Course Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison Tug of War Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison There are currently 27 CERT Teams based at facilities across the state. One team leader and five correctional officers complete each team. Staff receive extensive training on managing non-compliant offenders in dayto-day facility operations. Lee Arrendale State Prison CERT Officer, DeShawn Jones, was recognized for his outstanding performance during the competition Firearms Canine Unit Advanced training is also given on cell extractions, chemical munitions and less lethal escorts and transports, offender searches, interview and interrogation techniques, and security threat groups. Leadership Course Lee Arrendale State Prison CERT Team members compete for Commissioner's Cup Valdosta State Prison CERT Team shown with the Commissioner's Cup Officers Use Their Eyes For More Than Offender Searches Probation Officers participated in Pepper Spray Training as part of an on-going Safety Training Program on Monday, October 4, 2010 at the State Offices South at Tift College. So far, more than 100 officers have completed the three-day training program. The Pepper Spray Training provided officers with different selfdefense techniques in case they are put in a situation where they are temporarily blinded during the apprehension of an offender. Public Safety Training Instructor III, Mark Moll, conducts Pepper Spray Training The officers also received classroom instruction during the training session, which covered topics such as use of force, weapons retention, arrest team planning and execution, search and seizures, and surveillance techniques. Each week, 120 officers will be participating in the training. Probation Operations expects to have all POST certified officers trained by the end of the year. Probation Officers flush out their eyes for relief Motorcyclists Drive Up Fundraising Donations For Charities Motorcyclist shown at the State Offices South at Tift College Motorcycle riders showed their support for the State Charitable Contributions Program by participating in the Second Annual GDC Motorcycle Ride of Monroe County on Saturday, October 9, 2010. The ride began at State Offices South at Tift College in Forsyth and made a 45-mile loop around the perimeter of Monroe County. The Georgia State Patrol escorted all motorcyclists. This years event drew approximately 30 riders and helped raise more than $600, an increase of nearly $150 from last year's event. Planning is already underway for next years ride. Participants roll onto the streets of Forsyth, Ga. Former Inmate Braille Transcriber Transforms His Life Carey Jackson pictured with his wife Carey Jackson, a former inmate of Central State Prison, was the guest speaker of the facility's Fourth Annual Braille Program Open House on Wednesday, September 22, 2010. Jackson became a Georgia Braille Transcriber while serving a five-year prison sentence, beginning in 2004. He is now a certified Braille Transcriber and currently works in Georgia Tech's Quality Control and Production Department where he transcribes textbooks for visu- ally impaired students. The open house provided an opportunity for Department of Education staff and other guests to see the production process. Inmates provided live demonstrations during the event. The Georgia Braille Transcribers (GBT) program produces accessible instructional materials for Georgia students who require Braille materials. The Georgia Braille Transcribers program is a collaboration between GDC, the Georgia Department of Education, and Middle Georgia Technical College. Middle Georgia Technical College awards an on-the-job Certificate of Achievement when students complete the basic Braille program. Offenders may then earn national certification from the Library of Congress National Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped as a Literary Braille Transcriber. An inmate in the program gives a demonstration Commissioner Brian Owens Public Affairs: Director - Joan Heath; Managing Editor - Sharmelle Brooks; Contributor - Kristen Stancil; Contributor - Peggy Chapman Contact: 404-656-9772; www.dcor.state.ga.us