Impact Georgia, 2011 June

June 2011 Newsletter

Georgia Department of Corrections 7th Annual Awards

In this Issue:

2010 Legacy Award Winner Assistant Commissioner Head with Commisioner Owens, Representative Neal, Chairman Whitehead, State Personnel Administration Commisioner Doyle

On May 24th, the department recognized GDC staff who have shown profound dedication and service in 2010 at the 7th Annual Awards.
Special guests included the 2010 keynote speaker State Personnel Administration Commissioner Joe Doyle, guest speaker State Representative Jay Neal and Board of Corrections Chairman Jim Whitehead.

Year to Facility of the Year to the GDC memorial awards such as the Bobby Franklin Award were handed out by Commissioner Owens, Representative Neal, Chairman Whitehead and SPA Commissioner Doyle.
The 2010 Bobby Franklin Award was presented to the wife of the late CO David Holmes.

Robin Latimore captivated the audience with her beautiful rendition of the `National Anthem' and `God Bless America'.

"We honor his memory and will never forget his dedication and sacrifice," said Commissioner Owens.

The ceremony was conducted by Assistant Commissioner Head and Human Resource Director Patricia Smith.
Awards for categories ranging from Correctional Officer of the

The last award of the ceremony was presented by Commissioner Owens, the highly coveted and prestigious Legacy Award for 2010, to Assistant Commissioner Head.

Winners

Volunteers of the Year

Employee of the Year

Sharon Barron, GDCP; Carla Beckom, La- Tracy Jefferson, Johnson SP

mar PRC; Joseph Cochran, Hays SP; Dan-

iel J. Keitt, Coastal SP; Ryan Powers, Hays Individual Fitness Award

SP; Dana and Alvin Stephens, Lamar PRC; Tracie Stone, Milledgeville

Vidalia Medical Associates, Montgomery

PARC and Rodney Stone,

SP; Ray Whiten, Lee Arrendale SP

GDC Business Process

Faith Based Contributors of the Year
On Fire Ministries, Johnson SP

Cynthia Floyd Award Scott Chitwood, Mountain
Judicial Circuit

Georgia Department of Corrections 7th Annual Awards
Commissioner's Challenge Finale at GDCP Training Center
Georgia Department of Corrections Hosts the Special Olympics Torch Relay
Probation Circuits Receive New Field Supervision Dodge Charger Pursuits

Partner Agency of the Year

Bobby Franklin Award

Brunswick PD and Brunswick Weed & David Holmes (posthumously),

Seed Re-Entry Initiative, Brunswick PO;

Washington SP

Macon Parole Office, Mercer Medicine and

Vocational Rehabilitation/DOL, Macon, Macon TC; Tattnall County Sheriff's Office, Rogers SP; Wrightsville PD,

James Henderson Award Heath Whited, Hays SP

Johnson SP

Legacy Award

CO of the Year Mark Maples, Lee Arrendale SP

Fredrick Head, Assistant Commissioner

PO of the Year Kelly Durrence, Brunswick PO

Facility Fitness Award Dooly SP

Facility Supervisor of the Year Timothy Jones, Johnson SP

Facility of the Year Ware SP

PO Supervisor of the Year
Melissa Dawn Corbin, Lawrenceville PO

Center of the Year Colwell PDC

Customer Service Champion Award Tammy Gibson, Toccoa PO

Probation Circuit of the Year Northeastern Judicial Circuit

HQ Employee of the Year Calvin Brown, Health Services

County Facility of the Year Effingham County Prison

Basic Management Training Winter and Spring Graduates BLOOD DRIVE June 9th 9AM-7PM Vinzant Gymnasium
June's goal is to reach 100 units. A special invitation has been sent out to Burruss CTC, GDCP and the local Sheriff's department to help us reach our goal this month!

Commissioner's Challenge Finale at GDCP Training Center

2011 Second Commissioner's Cup Winners - K-9 Handlers Team

On May 20th, the final events for the Second Annual Commissioner's Challenge were held at the Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Training Complex.

The finale was comprised of four events, which included a firearms course, a leadership course, the GDC obstacle course and the GDC Team Rope Challenge.

Marksmanship (Firearms): Southeast Probation CERT
Leadership Course: Canine
GDC Obstacle Course: Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Prison
The department would like to congratulate and recognize the third, second and first place

Annual Commissioner's Challenge:
Second Place Winners: Valdosta State Prison with a total of 250 points.
2011 Commissioner's Challenge First Place Winners: Canine with a total of 270 points.
Congratulations to "Buster" King and the GDC Canine Unit!

Events
Wednesday, June 8 Metro DRC Graduation
Thursday, June 9 Board of Public Safety & American Red Cross Blood Drive
Thursday, June 16 BCOT Graduation
Friday, June 17 GPA/P&P/SSCA Golf Tournament
Monday, June 20 GDC Roll-Up "Day in Central Office"

Twelve finalists competed including nine Tactical Squads, two Probation CERT units and one team from Canine.

The department would like to congratulate the following teams that accumulated the most points in each individual event:

Second Place Winners - Valdosta State Prison

Third Place Winners - SE Probation CERT unit

Did You Know?..Assistant Commissioner Fredrick Head received the 2010 Legacy Award...Congratulations!

Georgia Department of Corrections Hosts the Special Olympics Torch Relay

Special Operations Manager Emil Moore carrying the torch leads the way down Patrol Road to Tift College

"Hooah, Hooah," echoed through the open fields off of Patrol Road and Harold G. Clarke Parkway in Forsyth, as law enforcement employees stood in formation awaiting the start of the Torch Relay.
In support of the Georgia Special Olympics, 125 relay runners consisting of the Georgia Department of Corrections Probation and Correctional Cadets, Tactical Squads from GDCP and Hancock State Prison, basic Tactical Squad trainees, Instructors from the Academy, Special Operations Staff, Probation Operations staff as well as Central Office staff ran to raise money for this special cause.
Special Operations Manager,

Emil Moore received the honor of lighting and carrying the Georgia Special Olympic Torch during the 2.8 mile relay.
"I was happy to have the chance to participate in such a monumental event," stated Moore.
The finish line of the Torch route was placed at the steps of Gibson Hall on Tift Campus where Commissioner Brian Owens, Colonel Bill Hitchens of Georgia Public Safety, Vice-Chair Ellis G. Wood of the Board of Public Safety, Director Allison Kaczenski of Special Events for the LE Torch Run, Major Carolyn Liggins of GDC Action Officer for LE Torch Run, Special Olympics Athlete

Elena Weaver, and the employees of the department eagerly awaited to honor the runners for their accomplishment to help raise money for the special cause.
As the 125 runners approached Tift College, their cheers were embraced by the applause from the crowd.
Col. Hitchens, Vice-Chair Wood, Dir. Kaczenski, Major Liggins, Commissioner Owens and special guest Special Olympics Athlete Elena Weaver took the stage on the steps of Gibson Hall and addressed the runners.
"I am proud to be an employee of the Georgia Department of Corrections, an agency that believes

Runners turn down North Lee Street in Forsyth, Georgia

in exceptional customer service," said Major Carolyn Liggins. "I am honored to have been chosen as the Lead Action Officer for the Department to support Special Olympics Georgia. GDC Rocks... One Team!" added Major Liggins.
Elena Weaver shared her story on how the Special Olympics helped her achieve her dream of being a rhythmic and artistic gymnast.
Not including the sponsorship donations, the GDC raised more than $2,000 during the torch relay.

"We have had an exceptional start in raising money for the Special Olympics, but I believe we as a department and team can and will reach $70,000," Commissioner Brian Owens stated as he took the stage on the steps of Gibson Hall.
A resounding, `Hooah,' echoed amongst the law enforcement runners affirming the words of Commissioner Owens.

Overall, the department has raised close to $30,000 for the Special Olympics since the start of 2011, and has set a goal of $70,000.

Probation Circuits Receive New Field Supervision Dodge Charger Pursuits

Basic Management Training Winter and Spring Graduates

On May 11th, the first 24 of 100 Dodge Charger Pursuits purchased by the Department of Corrections were presented to the Chief Probation Officers for their circuits.

The presentation of cars occured during the Senior Leadership Offsite, which was held at the Georgia Diagnostics Classification Prison Firearms Training Complex in Jackson, Georgia.
The 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuits along with ten 2011 Kia Sorento SUVs and ten 2011 IC Navistar 40 passenger prison buses were purchased by the Department using DEA, SCAAP, bond and state funds.
"Probation circuit state vehicles have not been replaced for many years," stated Probation Operations Director Stan Cooper. "These replacement vehicles will be assigned to Probation field supervision staff and will greatly assist them in conducting field supervision visits on high-risk offenders safely and more effectively," added Director Cooper.

Left to Right: Administration Division Director Becky East, Representative Jay Neal, Commissioner Brian Owens, Assistant Commissioner Fred Head, Atlanta Judicial Circuit Coordinating CPO Pam Rittweger and Probation Operations Director Stan Cooper
Commissioner Owens, Assistant Commissioner Head, Representative Neal, Divisions Dir. East, Probation Dir. Cooper and Atlanta Coordinating CPO Rittweger stand with the 24 recipients as they were presented with new field supervision chargers

Reidsville February Graduates
Leesburg April Graduates The Georgia Department of Corrections would like to congratulate the following GDC employees who completed Basic Management Training. Basic Management Training involves three, three-day session of classes which includes basic skills for line supervisors. The course provides supervisors the tools to manage staff efficiently.

Metro March Graduates
Rome May Graduates The Leadership Development Unit who teach BMT, would like to inform GDC staff that they are now offering an Advanced Management course. This course is offered serveral times a year and is a follow up course to BMT. Advanced Management require a referral from a senior leadership staff member.

Commissioner Brian Owens
Public Affairs: Director, Joan Heath; Managing Editor, Gwendolyn Hogan; Public Relations and Information Specialist, Kristen Stancil; Contributors Amy Fortner, Emil Moore & Pam Bittick Contact: 478-992-5247 * dcor.state.ga.us