Impact Georgia, Aug. 2012

Impact Georgia

August 2012 Newsletter

Columbus Task Force Team: Operation Safe Streets 2

On July 24th, the Georgia Department of Corrections joined forces with the Columbus Police Department, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Muscogee County Sheriff's Department, U.S. Marshals, and the Columbus Office of Homeland Security for a two-day operation called Operation Safe Streets 2.

"Collaborative

efforts

reinforce the need for

law enforcement agen-

cies to work together,"

stated Assistant Com-

missioner Timothy Ward.

Law Enforcement involved in Operation Safe Streets 2 performed compliance checks on sex offenders, served warrants and captured fugitives. Offenders were arrested for crimes ranging from burglary to sex-

ual exploitation of children.
On July 25th, Commissioner Brian Owens and Assistant Commissioner Ward joined the Operation Safe Streets 2 to help clean up the streets of Columbus. During their visit, Commissioner Owens and Asst. Commissioner Ward thanked the officers for all their hard work.
"It was an honor to join the efforts of Operation Safe Streets 2," said Commissioner Owens. "We simply cannot fight crime by ourselves. Teamwork is essential."
Operation Safe Streets 2 served more than 143 warrants and netted 87 arrests.

Operation Safe Streets 2 task force team conducts compliance checks Officer uses Rapid ID Machine to identify offender during Operation Safe Streets 2

1966 Tift College Professor visits State Offices South at Tift

Griffin poses with Asst. Commissioner Ward and other GDC staff

On July 27th, State Offices South at Tift College had a surprise visit from John Griffin, a former math professor. Griffin met with Assistant Commissioner Timothy Ward and reminisced about his teaching experiences at Tift.
While on campus, Griffin visited his old office on the 3rd floor of Gibson Hall.

used during his tenure.
"I didn't have a computer in my office back then," laughed Griffin.
GDC staff presented a framed photo of Griffin taken during his visit to the campus.
Griffin currently resides in Tampa, Florida.

Griffin sits in his old office in Gibson Hall, 3rd floor

Griffin smiled at the modern day technology sitting in his old office and shared information about the type of technology he

D i d Yo u K n ow. . . O p e r a t i o n S a f e S t r e e t s 2 n e t t e d 8 7 a r r e s t e d d u r i n g t h e t wo - d ay o p e r a t i o n .

Georgia DOC Vision & Mission Statements
MISSION
The Department of Corrections creates a safer Georgia by effectively managing offenders and providing opportunities for positive change
VISION
To be recognized as the best corrections organization in the nation.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies for the Department's Newly Remissioned Treatment Facilities

In the month of July, the Department successfully opened two Integrated Treatment Facilities (ITF) and one Residential Substance Treatment (RSAT) Facility. With the opening of the ITF facilities, the Department is now equipped to provide integrated treatment for male and female offenders who suffer from both substance abuse and mental health disorders.
"Governor Deal's desire to convert our remaining PreRelease Centers into RSAT facilities will assist in our ultimate goal of reducing recidivism," stated Commissioner Brian Owens.
On July 17th, West Central in Zebulon reopened its doors as an ITF for female offenders; on July 18th, Turner in Sycamore reopened as an RSAT, and lastly on July 25th, Appling in Baxley reopened its doors as an ITF.
After the conclusion of each ceremony, guests were offered a tour of the newly remissioned facilities.

These programs are sixto-nine month treatment programs for probationers and inmates. Offenders selected for this type of treatment are offenders nearing release, sentenced probationers, parole revocators and other court or GDC referred offenders who need intensive substance abuse and mental health treatment.
With the addition of West Central, Appling and Turner, the Department will have a total of 12 treatment centers throughout the state of Georgia focusing on substance abuse treatment for offenders.
"I am proud to see the remissioning of these facilities come into fruition," stated Commissioner Owens. "We will now be able to help treat the offenders' disease and reduce offender recidivism. Lives will be changed because of the treatment our substance abuse and mental health offenders will receive during their stay at our facilities."

West Central ITF Participants
Master of Ceremony Hilton Hall Field Operations Manager
Remarks Carl Franklin Justin Wiedeman Board of Corrections Member
Presentation of Colors Burruss Correctional Training Center Color Guard
National Anthem Roger Vinings Deputy Warden of Administration
Invocation Chaplain Donna Crumbley
Turner RSAT Participants
Master of Ceremony Steve Upton Field Operations Manager
Remarks The Honorable John Crosby Georgia State Senate
The Honorable Tony McBrayer Georgia House of Representatives
Carlton Powell Jerry Willis Board of Corrections Members

Presentation of Colors Wilcox State Prison Color Guard National Anthem Counselor Rayshunda Wimberly-Turner Invocation Chaplain Linda Taylor
Appling ITF Participants Master of Ceremony Steve Upton Field Operations Manager Remarks The Honorable Tommie Williams Georgia State Senate

The Honorable Tommy Smith Georgia House of Representatives Wayne Dasher Dr. Henrie Treadwell Jerry Willis Board of Corrections Members Presentation of Colors Georgia State Prison Color Guard National Anthem Sgt. Zaoncra Bell Invocation Chaplain Michael Flynn Commissioner Owens offered Welcoming Remarks and Assistant Commissioner Ward offered Closing Remarks at all three ceremonies.

L to R: Board Member Wiedemen, Asst. Commissioner Ward, Commissioner Owens, Superintendent Edd Sanders, FOM Hall, Board Member Franklin & West Central Officers

State Senator Crosby, State Represtative McBrayer, Board of Corrections Members Willis and Powell, Superintendent Gwen Meriweather, GDC Leadership, Community Representatives & Turner Officers

State Senator Williams, State Rep. Smith, Board of Corrections Chairman Rouse, Board Members Dr. Treadwell and Willis, Superintendent Jeffrey Pearce, GDC Leadership, Community Representatives & Appling Officers

2 Impact Georgia

Winder Probation Office participates in Public Safety Day
Contributed by Trippley Powers, Chief Probation Officer

L to R: PO Justin Shope, FOM McIntyre, PO Elizabeth Puckett, & Chief PO Trippley Powers setting up for event
FOM McIntyre and WPO staff

Winder Probation staff attend event
On July 28th, eight officers from the Winder Probation Office along with Field Operations Manager Marcia McIntyre participated in the 2012 Barrow County Public Safety Day. The event was hosted by the Barrow County Sheriff's Office and the Bethlehem Target store in conjunction with the National Night Out campaign.
This was an event for the public to meet the local and state public safety personnel who serve the area. Staff for the Winder Probation Office, Barrow County Sheriff's Department, Barrow County Police Explorers, Winder Police Dept., Auburn Police Dept., Barrow and Winder Fire Dept., Georgia State Patrol, The

Community

Emergency

Response Team, Navy Sea

Cadet Corps, and various

other community service

organizations had displays

and personnel on hand to

meet and greet the public.

Employees of the Winder Probation Office were on hand to talk with the attendees and answer any questions. Staff was onsite with field supervision vehicles, public information boards and flyers that provided information on how to obtain employment with GDC.

"The event was a huge success with an estimated 400 visitors at the event," said Chief Probation Officer Trippley Powers.

Thank You Summer Interns

For the past two years, the Department has offered summer internships to the top 20 students of Mary Persons High School who are in their Junior and Senior year.
This year the Department selected 14 interns to work for various divisions within the agency.

These included Public Affairs, Legal Services, Facilities, Probation, Personnel, Health Services, and Training.
"It was a great experience to get to work in such a professional environment," said Public Affairs intern Sarah Harrell.
Students willingly and ef-

ficiently fulfilled tasks and duties assigned to them by their supervisors.
"We are very thankful for all of our interns." said Assistant Commissioner Timothy Ward. "They have been a joy to have in the Department."
Thank you to all of our 2012 Summer Interns!

L to R: Interns Katie Rowland and Amy Wood

Calendar of Events
Thursday, August 9 CLI Module III and Graduation
Thursday, August 9 Blood Drive
Thursday, August 16 Rouse DRC Graduation
Ceremony
Wednesday - Friday August 22 - 24
GPA Summer Conference
Tuesday, August 28 Sexual Assault Response
Team Training
Tuesday, August 28 Macon DRC Graduation
Ceremony
Wednesday, August 29 Professional Management Program Graduation at SOS
at Tift
Wednesday, August 29 Rescued Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony
Stay Connected to GDC
facebook.com/georgiacorrections

2012 Summer interns

Asst. Commissioner Timothy Ward shares encouraging words with the Summer Interns
3 Impact Georgia

youtube.com/user/ GACorrections

Third Quarterly Awards Ceremony of 2012

CORRECTIONS

PO of the Quarter Ronnie Simmons Vickie Hall Albany Probation

CO of the Quarter Kimberly Wilcox Dodge State Prison

Customer Service Champion Charlotte Beard Probation Training

Unsung Hero

Commissioner Owens, Dir. of Operations, Planning, and Training Division, Arnold Smith, Health Services Dir. Tom Sittnick and Physical Health Dir. Sharon Lewis present award.

Henry Bilbrey Carlton Brown

Johnny Foster

Gregory Goodson

Raymond Hunt

Lorenzo Radney

Christopher Ross

Pamela Strader

Facilities Dir Office

OPERATIONS, PLANNING & TRAINING

Customer Service Champion Jeal M. Dorsey Upshaw Receptionist

L to R: Commissioner Owens, Facilities Deputy Dir. O'Donnell, Program Development Consultant Robinson, Probation Operations Dir. Cooper and Facilities Dir. Tillman

Unsung Hero Officer Julia Abrams Campus Operations Regina Austin Joy Holsey OHS Utilization Deborah Jasper Patricia Brown Management Nurses

ADMINISTRATION

Commissioner Owens and Asst. Division Dir. of Administration Scott Poitevint present award.
On July 24th, the Depart- presenters for this quarter inment celebrated the third cluded Commissioner Brian Quarterly Awards cer- Owens, Facilities Director emony of 2012 at State Of- Randy Tillman, Probation fices South at Tift College. Operations Director Stan
Cooper, OPT Division DiEvery quarter, the Depart- rector Arnold Smith, Probament recognizes its valued tion Deputy Director Mark employees who have reached Morris and Facilities Depmilestones in their career with uty Director Johnny Sikes. the state of Georgia. These milestones are marked in During the ceremony, Comboth career achievements missioner Owens announced and five year increments. a new addition to State Of-
fices South at Tift College, The Department of Correc- a new employee gym which tions strives for excellence and expects nothing less from employees can use free of its employees. The Quarterly charge. Commissioner OwAwards gives administration ens stated that it was slated a chance to acknowledge the to open at the end of the year. hard work of those employees who go above and beyond Congratulations to the foltheir normal call of duty. The lowing award recipients:

Customer Service Champion Marcia Luckett Business Management Unit
Unsung Hero Rick Gallmon Christina Nopen Travis Wilder Stephanie Fogarty Jeremy Vining Julie Rogers David Burnette C & C Warehouse Team
EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS
Customer Service Champion Candance Fretwell OIC
Unsung Hero Shawn Coreley OIC

FAITHFUL SERVICE AWARDS

5 years Janine Robinson Lori Howard Sharon Lewis Uzoma Anadu Kimberly Casteel Mike Tolson

10 years Norm Felland
Stefanie McClain

15 years Donald Long
Paul Locke
Ann Smith

Commissioner Owens awards Candace Fretwell with Customer Service Champion Award

20 years Jacob Barber
Charla Rensi
Tracie Brison

25 years Walter Sloan Mathol Jordan Cynthia Nelson George Sanders Glenn Vaughan Stan Cooper Allison Heayberd Cheryl Womack Emil Moore Julia Oliveras-Abrams Walter Sloan James Allen Jean Towns Robert McNair

Commissioner Owens awards Pamela Strader with Unsung Hero Award

30 years Vanessa O'Donnell Sandra Butler Tammy Edwards Glenda Jones Gwen Lyle Deborah Green

Commissioner Owens awards Jean Towns with Faithful Service Award

Commissioner Brian Owens Public Affairs Director, Joan Heath; Managing Editor, Gwendolyn Hogan; Public Relations & Information Specialists, Joycelyn Lucas & Dabney Weems
We welcome all submissions. Please submit articles and photos to: Gwendolyn Hogan by August 13th
E-mail: hogang00@dcor.state.ga.us