Impact Georgia, Nov. 2011

The Department Honors DOC Staff at the Quarterly Awards

Left to Right: Commissioner Owens, Special Operations Coordinator Fortner, Asst. Commissioner Ward and Dir. of Facilities Operations Tillman

Left to Right: Commissioner Owens, Public Relations

Left to Right: Commissioner Owens, CPO Lee, PO III

Specialist Stancil, CPO Phillips, Commissioner Confiden- Hooks, PO Reed, CPO Dean, Asst. Commissioner Ward,

tial Secretary Chapman, Asst. Commissioner Ward

Dir. of Probation Operations Cooper

On October 25th, the Third Quarterly Awards ceremony of 2011 commenced in Roberts Chapel at State Offices South at Tift College.
Key speakers included United Way Local Executive Brenda Thomas, Vice President Judy Quinlan and CEO Diania Gylmph.
The ceremony was conducted by HR Director Patricia Smith and awards were presented by Commissioner Brian Owens and Assistant Commissioner Tim Ward.
Congratulations Corrections Division recipients:
PO of the Quarter & Customer Service Champions

PO Michelle Reed, Morrow PO PO III Nakeycha Hooks, Macon PC
CO of the Quarter & Customer Service Champion CO John Glenn, Ware SP
Unsung Hero Amy Fortner, Special Ops Coordinator
Congratulations OPT recipients:
Customer Service Champion Lt. Jinkin Hopkins, Campus Ops
Unsung Hero Manager Craig Waddell, Call Center
Congratulations Administration recipients:
Customer Service Champion Brenda W. Garnto, Business

Processes Unit
Unsung Hero Lauralene Williamson, Business Management Unit
Congratulations Executive Operations recipients:
Customer Service Champions Peggy Chapman, Commissioner's Office Kristen Stancil, Public Affairs Office Susan Phillips, Developmental Assignment Interstate Compact
Congratulations Faithful Service recipients:
5 Year Leonora Williams, Thomas Sittnick, Alicia Brown, Lewanna Tomlinson, Rasheedah Harris, and Joshua Hauck

10 Year Veronica Mathis, Tacaria Giles and John Moore
15 Year Brian Shaver and Henry Skinner
20 Year Jeffery Martin
25 Year Randy Tillman, Phillip Visha, Horace Brookins and Lee Baggs
30 Year James Bishop
"Georgia has set the standard so high and we do an excellent job to meet those standards," said Assistant Commissioner Ward as he ended the quarterly awards ceremony.

The Blevin Award Strikes Again

Contributed by Georgia Health Media Relations Manager Toni Baker

L-R Clyde Maxwell, Dir. of Correctional Medicine for MAG; Charlene Martin, ASMP Dir. of Nursing, Dennis Brown, Warden; Randy Brown, ASMP Medical Administator; and Dr. Billly Nichols, ASMP Medical Dir.

On October 7th, Augusta State Medical Prison received the Blevin Award for excellence from the Medical Association of Georgia. ASMP is the second

receive the Blevin Award in the span of a month. Georgia State Prison healthcare facilities received this honor, only weeks before on September 22nd.

The award was presented to the facility by MAG Director of Correctional Medicine, Clyde Maxwell.
"Augusta State Medical Prison's award follows a 2010 accreditation site visit by the MAG committee in which no discrepancies were found in the 70 standards assessed," said Maxwell.
Standards range from access to care to infection control and continuous quality improvement.
"The department is very proud of our healthcare facilities at both Augusta State Medical Prison and Georgia State Prison for receiving

this honor from the Medical Association of Georgia," said Department of Commissioner Brian Owens. "This award of excellence demonstrates the high level of professionalism and quality care these facilities provide on a daily basis," added Owens.
Dr. Billy Nichols is Medical Director of the facility which has seven nursing units, two operating rooms and 384 beds. Services provided include ambulatory surgery, magnetic resonance and computerized tomography imaging, endoscopic procedures and oncology treatment.
Congratulations Augusta State Medical Prison!

Did You Know..GSP & ASMP received the Blevin Award for Excellence from the Medical Association of GA!

GIVE BLOOD GIVE LIFE
Blood Drive November 3rd
9AM to 7PM Vinzant Gymnasium
Support Your Local Red Cross Drives!
DON'T FORGET OPEN ENROLLMENT
ENDS NOVEMBER 11th

In Memoriam Plaque for Sergeant David Holmes

Contributed by Washington State Prison Administrative Assistant Rhonda Boulineau

On September 22nd, Operation Enduring Freedom in

Judy Dease with the Afghanistan on June 26, 2010,

Correctional Peace

and was killed in the line of duty

Officers Founda-

when insurgents attacked his unit

tion presented an

using an improvised explosive

institutional plaque to device.

Warden Donald Bar-

row and Washington "The staff at Washington State

State Prison in honor Prison truly miss Officer Holmes

and memoriam of

and would like to extend their ap-

Correctional Officer preciation for all he and his family

and Army Special-

gave in service to our country,"

ist, Sergeant David

said Warden Barrow.

Holmes.

Sergeant Holmes was in the Georgia National Guard Reserves and assigned to the 810th Engineer Company out of Swainsboro.

Left to Right: Judy Dease with the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation and Warden Donald Barrow

He was supporting

Fourth Annual Braille Program Open House Contributed by Braille Program Coordinator, Bill Hinton

Calendar of Events
Thursday, November 3
Board of Corrections Meeting, Thanksgiving Luncheon & American Red
Cross Blood Drive
Thursday, November 4
2nd Annual Commissioner's Challenge
Thursday, November 10
Veterans Day Celebration
Friday, November 11
Veterans Day - HOLIDAY
Thursday, November 17
Board of Public Safety & BCOT Graduation
Monday, November 21
GDC Roll-Up "Day in Central Office"
Thursday, November 24 & 25
Thanksgiving - HOLIDAY
Remember the three pronged strategy to improving job satification:
COMMUNICATION RECOGNITION PRIDE

Left to Right: Director of Parole Michael Nail, Central SP Warden William Terry and Assistant Commissioner Timothy Ward

Staff from Middle Georgia Tech talking to offender about a Left to Right: Board of Corrections Member Rose

data management program he is writing

Williams and Central SP Deputy Warden of Care & Treat-

ment Mizell Davis

On October 4th, Central State Prison hosted the Fourth Annual Braille Program Open House.
Georgia Department of Corrections, Department of Education, Georgia Technical and Adult Education, Department of Juvenile Justice and the Board of Pardons and Paroles attended

the open house. Special guests included Assistant Commissioner Ward, Director of Parole Nail and Board of Corrections Member Williams.
The Alternative Media Access Center (AMAC), a division of Georgia Tech, brought their entire staff, including two ex-

offenders who worked in the Braille Program until their release from prison.
The Braille Program produces Braille textbooks and other media for blind and visually impaired students in Georgia's public schools, saving the state over $200,000 annually.

Graduates of the program have, upon release, been successful in obtaining employment in this very specialized field. Graduating from this program increases the offender's chances for a positive reentry into society.

DOC Staff Participates in the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition Contributed by Special Assistant to Director of Probation Operations Jay Sanders
From October 18th to 20th, representatives from Albany and Valdosta Transitional Center, as well as the Southern and Southwestern Circuits, manned a booth at the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition at Spence Field in Moultrie, Georgia.

The Department was given the opportunity to have a booth at this years Expo by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
DOC staff used this opportunity to promote the use of Transitional Center residents and probationers to fill agriculture labor needs.
The Sunbelt Agricultrual Expo is the largest annual farm show in the Southeast attracting more

DOC booth at the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition

DOC booth at the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition

than 1,200 exhibitors and tens of thousands of farmers and visitors.
During the Expo, DOC staff made several contacts with prospective employers and awarded winners from their

daily drawings with wooden bowls made by inmates at the Woodshop program at Ware State Prison.

The Department of Corrections would like to thank the Georgia Department of Agriculture for this unique opportunity.

Augusta Judicial Circuit's 22nd Annual Hot Dog Day Luncheon Contributed by Chief Probation Officer Pamela Gould

Left to Right: CPO Pam Gould, FOM Joe Cafiero, CPO Peggy Elliot and PO Andrew Jenkins

Left to Right: FOM Mike Kraft and FOM Sandra Thomas

Left to Right: PO Roxanne Williams and Deputy Warden Scott Wilkes

On October 7th, the Augusta Judicial Circuit held its 22nd Annual Hot Dog Day Luncheon.
Over 400 people attended the luncheon which included the local Judiciary, Probation, Parole, Attorneys and other County, State and Federal employees.

"We appreciate the attendance and support of Field Operations Managers, Joe Cafiero, Mike Kraft and Sandra Thomas," stated Augusta Chief Probation Officer Pamela W. Gould.
The Augusta Probation Office

has planned this event every year with support of the Augusta Transitional Center and Augusta State Medical Prison.
At this year's luncheon, Deputy Warden Scott Wilkes arranged a generous donation from CocaCola. Augusta TC Superinten-

dent Brawner and staff provided residents for set up and break down of the event. And Augusta's Parole counterparts assisted in planning and donations.
"The luncheon has grown into a perfect opportunity to network

with others in our circuit and is a great time to relax and enjoy a dog," added CPO Gould.

Pulaski State Prison's First Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Event

Contributed by Continuous Improvement Cathy Smith-Curry

event was Program Manager Jennifer Thomas of the Georgia Commission on Family Violence.

Thomas discussed the dynamics and effects of domestic violence and presented resources for support and assistance for victims of domestic violence in Georgia.

"Free of Life" group with Staff Attorney Jana Edmondson, Salvation Arm Safe House Nicole Rosser (front row), Houston Cty DA's Attorney Beverly Robinson, Investigator (second row), DW C&T Grant and Georgia Commission on Family Violence Thomas (third row) /Photo Release Signed 10/31/11

On October 27th, the first of what will become an Annual Domestic Violence Awareness event was held at Pulaski State Prison.

Warden of Care and Treatment Angela Grant and was coordinated by the "Free of Life" lifers' group at the facility.

The event was lead by Deputy

Key speaker of the first annual

"The majority of women in the lifers' group are serving time due to domestic violence convictions," said DW Grant.
During the event, several offenders shared their personal stories on how domestic violence impacted their lives and the lives of their families.
Offenders were, also, given the opportunity to submit questions

concerning domestic violence to a panel of experts comprised of a domestic violence agency representative, an investigator, an attorney and a Mental Health counselor from Pulaski State Prison.
Starting in December 2011, Pulaski State Prison will initiate a domestic violence support group in partnership with the Salvation Army Safe House of Warner Robins.

Offenders performing during the Annual Domestic Violence Awareness event at Pulaski SP

Rome Day Reporting Center Semi-Annual Commencement Ceremony

Contributed by Rome DRC Counselor Billie Rhinehart

Fall 2011 Graduating Class at the Rome Day Reporting Center / Photo Release and Story Release Signed by Graduates 10/19/2011

On October 11th, the Rome Day Reporting Center held their Semi-Annual Commencement Ceremony with a graduating class of 47 participants.
Speakers at the ceremony were graduate speakers Ashley Burton and Michael Knowles and guest speaker, TOPPSTEP representative Vincent Spann from the Georgia Depart-

ment of Labor.
Graduate Ashley Burton told the group how she lost control of her life after she began drinking and doing drugs. She went to jail pregnant and vowed to her newborn that she would change. Today, she is attending college, is in good standing with her family and is committed to her son.
Graduate Michael Knowles formally apologized to his daughter and granddaughter for missing their birthdays and Christmas because he was in jail. Knowles renewed his commitment to be there for his family and to use

what he has learned at the DRC to remain alcohol free.
Mr. Spann ended the ceremony and challenged the participants to make a covenant with themselves to be a better person and encouraged them to become the person they have the potential to be.

Basic Management Training Summer and Fall Graduates Contributed by Leadership Development Unit Pam Bittick

June 2011 State Offices South at Tift College Graduates

July 2011 Lee Arrendale Graduates

September 2011 Milledgeville Graduates

September 2011 Leesburg Graduates

The Department of Corrections would like to congratulate the following four classes who completed Basic Management Training this Summer and Fall.
By the end of 2011, there will be a total of ten BMT classes completed.
The Leadership Development Unit's goal of reaching 200 participants with the new curriculum will be surpassed by 30 students when they graduate this

November and December.
Plans have been made to continue offering the course at seven sites throughout the state next year, with a final course being offered at State Offices South at Tift College.
Each course is made up of three, three day sessions. Priority will be given to current supervisors who have not had the opportunity to complete any management classes. In order

to support the Commissioner's Succession Planning Emphasis, non-supervisors may be accepted with their managers' recommendations. The courses will be listed on CAPTIVA when training concepts and registration are updated.
Our intent is to introduce new concepts and perhaps fine tune ideas that have been previously introduced in order to improve supervisory performance.

Successful graduates should be better able to lead others, give specific feedback, and document work performance.

For more information, please contact Pam Bittick at bittip01@dcor. state.ga.us.

Concentration on attendance, performance, and behavior of subordinates rather than personality should assist participants in creating work unit cultures that support fairness, respect, and credibility. These characteristics have been shown to improve employee retention.

Augusta State Medical Prison Goes "Pink" for October

Contributed by Administrative Assistant Sharon Davis

On October 20th, Augusta Medical State Prison went `Pink" in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to honor breast cancer survivors.
ASMP has made this day an annual event and plans on continuing the tradition for many years to come. This year marks ASMP's third year of going "Pink".
Their goal is to help promote breast

cancer awareness by providing information on the disease and to encourage early screenings.
Each year ASMP makes breast cancer flyers and pamphlets, which are provided by a local hospital, available in lobby areas for ASMP staff and visitors.
An ASMP staff member and breast cancer survivor brings pink bracelets for employees to wear annually in support.
By wearing pink, ASMP hopes that it will provide dialogue about the diseases and assist in making others aware that the month of October is National

Cancer Awareness Month.
In regards to the day, Administrative Assistant Sharon Davis said, "Most importantly it allows us to honor our cancer survivors and lets them know that we care."

2nd Annual Human Resources Off-site at High Falls State Park

Contributed by CHRM Staff

HR Staff during a break-out session at High Falls State Park

Ward and Commissioner Brian Owens. Staff from the field and other GDC work areas were also in attendance to provide feedback during both days. Cathy Smith-Curry of DOC Continuous Improvement, along with Justine Holcomb of State Personnel Administration, presented the Employee Satisfaction Survey initiative and the Leadership Development Unit provided a half day of team building exercises.

In all, it was an interactive and educational day that helped both new and current HR staff build closer bonds and learn more about their department.

On September 20th, the Central Human Resources Management (CHRM) office of held their 2nd Annual HR Off-site at High Falls State Park in Jackson, Georgia. This was a two-day event focused on team building, familiarization with GDC and

strategic planning for CHRM.
GDC special guests included Director of Probation Operations Stan Cooper, Director of Facili ties Operations Randy Tillman, Budget Director Wes Landers, Assistant Commissioner Tim

CHRM managers presented an overview of each work unit, discussing past accomplishments and future goals. Breakout sessions with the attendees provided a framework for addressing CHRM strategic planning.

Submit your article & photo to Gwendolyn Hogan,
by November 16th
for the December Newsletter

Commissioner Brian Owens Public Affairs Director, Joan Heath; Managing Editor, Gwendolyn Hogan; Public Relations and Information Specialist Kristen Stancil