April 2011 Newsletter Reception Celebration Honoring Former Assistant Commissioner Derrick D. Schoeld On March 25, 2011 a Reception was held for the Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner and former Georgia Department of Corrections Assistant Commissioner , Derrick D. Schofield. Tennessee Commissioner Schofield entered Roberts Chapel as "Rocky Top", echoed throughout the chapel. GDC Assistant Commissioner Fred Head opened the ceremony by welcoming the 400 plus attendees. Heartfelt reflections of TN Commissioner Schofield were given by family and friends such as high school friend Lewis Lockett, brothers Darrell Pauldo and Shay Hatcher, sister Nikki Hatcher, and three daughters, Kendra, Amber and Zoe. Robin Latimore lightened the mood with a humorous and carefree rendition of, "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You," by Michael Bolton. Sincere remarks were given by Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Brian Owens, State Board of Pardons and Parole Board Chairman General James E. Donald, Facility Operations Director Timothy Ward, and Board of Corrections Chairman Jim Whitehead. During the reception, TN Commissioner Schofield was honored with two resolutions; one from the Board of Corrections and the other from the State Legislature. Before the reception moved to Rutland Student Center, TN Commissioner Schofield took the stage with his closing remarks. His statement, "I ask you to never forget your responsibility first to each other. If you are truly `One Team' your loyalty should be to the agency, its mission and as such your loyalty to each other grows and will continue to create the best team in the world," resonated throughout the chapel and hit home for the employees of DOC. Left to Right: General Donald, TN Commissioner Schofield and GA Commissioner Owens TN Commissioner Schofield's Family Georgia Probation Association Mid-Winter Conference Georgia Probation Association MidWinter Conference Warden Cedric Taylor Knows Public Safety Minister concert at Lamar PRC Oconee Circuit Handcuffs Stan Cooper Augusta Day Reporting Center Family Commissioner Coin Presentations & Awards Probation Officer May's Selfless Act Events Monday-Friday, April 11-15 Crime Victims' Rights Week Wednesday, April 13 Northwest DRC Graduation The GPA held their Mid-Winter Conference in Helen, Georgia on March 16-18th. This year's theme was GPA: "YOUR" Professional Organization. The conference kicked off March 16th with the GPA Business Meeting. Topics focused on the Golf Tournament Fundraiser, the location for the upcoming summer conference and Public Relations Committee membership. state. State Representative Jay Neal touched on "Criminal Justice Reform." He stated that Governor Deal fully backs the reform and that it will be very positive for Probation, Parole and the Facilities Division. Director of Parole, Michael Nail, recognized Fayetteville Probation Office Manager, Fred Dennis as a true hero and wished him the best on his upcoming retirement. The meeting closed with The Professional Development Committee's request for suggestions regarding future conferences. Other speakers during this meeting included Becky East, Arthur Musselman, Scott Maurer, and Keith Howard. Commissioner Brian Owens started the second day off by addressing Budget Cuts. He affirmed that financially the Probation Division is in a good Special Guests, Assistant Commissioner Fred Head and Director of Facilities Tim Ward, commended the hard work the Probation Officers do for the Department. Left to Right: Stan Cooper, Drew Chestnutt, Commissioner Brian Owens, Melodie Wood and Rep. Jay Neal Commissioner Owens, accompanied by Stan Cooper, Drew Chestnutt and Rep. Jay Neal, presented CPO Melodie Wood from Enotah Judical Circuit with a new SUV replacement vehicle! The three-day conference concluded with Probation Operation updates given by Director of Probation Stan Cooper. Thursday, April 14 Board of Public Safety LE Appreciation Cook Out Glennville Monday, April 18 GDC Roll-Up "Day in Central Office" Tuesday, April 19 GDC Quarterly Awards Thursday, April 21 BCOT Graduation Monday, April 25 Holiday Did You Know?..Governor Deal stated the Criminal Justice Reform will be very positive for Probation, Parole & Facilities Divison Warden Cedric Taylor Knows Public Safety The newly appointed Warden of Autry State Prison, Cedric Taylor, knows no limits when it comes to promoting public safety for the citizens of Georgia. Shortly after his appointment, an unfortunate incident claimed the life of one of his veteran Correctional Officers. Officer David Bell spent over 15 years at Autry State Prison being a leader and well respected officer among peers and supervisors alike. In the early morning hours of January 20th, Officer Bell attempted to turn off the shoulder of Hwy 19 North and pulled in front of an on-coming car. fog. The fog obscured his field of vision causing him to miss his turn into the facility. Several employees expressed their concern for additional illumination at the facility entry point. During early mornings, late evenings and on days of inclement weather, the visibility was poor. Warden Taylor quickly propelled into action, attending to the concerns of his staff. The Warden submitted a request through teammate RRS Counseling Unit Manager Keith Jones who also serves on the Mitchell County Board of Commissions. installed at the intersection. Warden Talyor is also working to get a memorial sign placed at the sight in memory of Officer David Bell. The cause of the accident claiming his life appeared to be heavy Upon the request, a work order was submitted to have a light The late Officer David Bell Oconee Circuit Handcuffs Probation Operations Director Stan Cooper Minister concert at Lamar PRC Every six months, Pastor Eddie B. performs a concert and speaks to offenders at Lamar PRC and Burruss CTC. need hope in a hopeless situation. Pastor Eddie B. gives his testimony about his past drug addiction, past homelessness and past struggle with being in and out of prison. During his March 11th visit to Lamar, he offered offenders encouragement regarding how he has remained drug and prison free for 18 years. He offers his support to the offenders by ensuring them that if he could do it, so can they. Pastor Eddie B. is a speaker, author and song writer to those who Minister Eddie B. at Lamar PRC Augusta Day Reporting Center Family Night Commissioner Brian Owens and Probation Operations Director Stan Cooper made a surprise afternoon visit at an In-Service class being held at Little Ocmulgee State Park in McRae, Georgia on March 22, 2011. Commissioner Owens asked Instructor Holli Braden to teach the proper way to handcuff someone while they were seated. After teaching the proper techniques, Commissioner Owens wanted to see it demonstrated. He held up a $20 bill and said he would give it to the Georgia Probation Association (GPA) if someone would handcuff Director Stan Cooper. No one volunteered right away; however, Probation Officer III Gail Rhodes from the Eastman Office volunteered Surveillance Officer C.W. Smith of the Officers Smith, Lee and White handcuff PO Director Cooper in center Eastman Office and offered another $20 bill to GPA if he would do it. Since the proper handcuffing procedure involves three officers, Officer Smith enlisted the help of his co-workers, PO James Lee of Eastman and PO III Kenneth White of McRae. Commissioner Coin Presentations & Awards On March 8th, Mayor of Augusta, Deke Copehaver attended the Augusta Day Reporting Center's Family Night celebration. As special guest, Mayor Copehaver presented certificates to the DRC participants. All participants received certificates for participating in a Justice Reinvestment Project with the local Housing Bureau. Time and Place surveys were conducted on the homeless in the Augusta area to help in collecting funds for housing. One of the participants who recieved this certificate was Center Administrator Paul Dupass. Another gratifying honor Augusta DRC received took place when Jonathan Hamm received a certificate for the Center's first GED. Left to Right: Mayor Copehaver, GED recipient and Dir. of Augusta HCDD Williams Left to Right: Participant, Steven Johnson, Dir. of Augusta HCDD Mr. Williams Probation Ofcer May Awarded The month of March saw its fair share of honors within the Department of Corrections. Commissioner Owens presented former Human Resource Director Candy Sarvis a Commissioners Coin for her eight years of service with the agency. Commissioner Owens presented another Commissioners Coin to Chief Probation Officer, Scott Chitwood. CPO Chitwood raised $1438.75 for the Special Olympics for the DOC. Former HR Director Sarvis with Commissioner Owens CPO Chitwood with Commissioner Owens On January 26th, after attending training in Forsyth, Probation Officers Kevin Devane and Monica Cline were on their way home to Americus when their state vehicle broke down on I-75. Probation Officer John May, who also attended training that day, assisted Southwestern Circuit Probation Officers, Devane and Cline. PO May helped the officers retrieve all items from the state vehicle and drove them home to Americus. Lastly, Assistant Commissioner Fred Head presented Rhoda McCabe an award for her 29 years of dedicated service with the Department. Her badge was also retired during her retirement reception on March 30, 2011. Assistant Commissioner Head and Senior Assistant Counsel McCabe PO May went out of his way to assure Officers Devan and Cline returned home safetly. Due to his selfless act, Field Operations Manager Scot Mullis awarded PO May with a Certificate of Appreciation. Left to Right: FOM Mullis and Probation Officer May Commissioner Brian Owens Public Affairs: Director, Joan Heath; Manager, Peggy Chapman; Managing Editor, Gwendolyn Hogan; Public Information Specialist, Kristen Stancil; Contributors Terry Seltzer, Cathy Smith, Betsy Thomas & Susan Brenner Contact: 478-992-5247 * dcor.state.ga.us