Impact Georgia, Feb. 2012

GDC Employees Attend International Conference for Special Olympics

Contributed by Chief Probation Officer Scott Chitwood

GDC was sec- representatives of various law

ond in fundrais- enforcement agencies from

ing amongst all around the world attended

law enforcement numerous workshops and

agencies in Geor- planning sessions regarding

gia collecting just Special Olympics and fund-

under $41,000. raising programs. Almost four

Training & GDC million individuals with intel-

Torch Run Coordi- lectual disabilities participate

nator Major Caro- in Special Olympics in over

lyn Liggins, Chief 170 countries.

Probation Officer

of the Mountain The funds raised in Georgia

Circuit Scott Chit- will remain in the state to sup-

wood, and Public port programs for the Georgia

Safety Training Special Olympians and their

Instructor II Joe families.

Thompson rep-

L to R: Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officer, Special Olympics World Games gold medalist, Major Liggins, RCMP Officer, Chief PO Chitwood, and Training Officer Thompson

resented the top

three Torch Run fundrais-

In recognition of the Georgia GDC the opportunity for three ing GDC work units at the

Department of Corrections' employees to attend the conference.

efforts for the 2011 Special International Law Enforce-

Olympics Torch Run, Special ment Torch Run Conference Liggins, Chitwood and Olympics Georgia awarded in Calgery, Alberta, Canada. Thompson along with other
Gibson Hall Wins the Children Book Drive

Contributed by Re-entry Coordinator Lisa Haughey

largest number of books at 593. Guest House, Campus Operations staff, collected 419 books. Ponder Hall, Administration Division staff, collected 173 books. William Lies Hall, OIC and ECS staff, collected 168 books. And Rutland Hall collected 76 books.

As winners of the book drive, Gibson Hall staff will receive a catered lunch by Galley Gourmet of Atlanta and a group photo of the Gibson Hall winners will be displayed in the Children's Center along with the message boards throughout the campus.

Dir. of HR Patricia Smith, Staff and Re-entry Coordinator Lisa Haughey representing Gibson Hall staff winners

"It was so exciting and touch-

ing to see how Central Office

Congratulations Gibson Hall! Headquarters staff held a A total of 2,148 books were really came out to support this

book drive for the new Chil- collected during the drive project. Never did I think we

Gibson Hall of the Department dren's Center at Walker State that began on October 31st would get over 2000 books!!

of Corrections headquarters Prison. Walker SP is the first and ended on December It shows what wonderful peo-

at State Offices South at Tift Faith & Character Based pris- 16th of 2011.

ple we have working here at

College won the 2011 Chil- on in Georgia and is the first

Tift," said Haughey.

dren's Book Drive by collect- male facility to have a Chil- Upshaw Hall, OPT Division

ing a total of 719 books!

dren's Center.

staff, brought in the second

Did You Know..Walker State Prison is the first male facility in the state to have a Children's Center!

Georgia DOC Vision & Mission Statements

VISION
The Georgia Department of Corrections is the best corrections system in the nation at
protecting citizens from convicted offenders and at providing effective opportunities for
offenders to achieve positive change. We are a leader and partner in making Georgia a safer,
healthier, better educated, growing, and best managed state.

MISSION
The Georgia Department of Corrections protects and serves the public as a
professional organization by effectively managing offenders while helping to provide a safe and secure environment for the
citizens of Georgia.

Investigating Sexual Misconduct: Training for Correctional Investigators

Contributed by Statewide PREA Coordinator Karen Jett

In collaboration with the Department of Juvenile Justice and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Department conducted specialized training for sexual assault investigations.
The two and a half day training session was attended by investigators from the Office of Investigations & Compliance including Internal Investigations, Inmate Affairs, and Intelligence Unit. The GDC investigators were joined by DJJ and Parole Internal Affairs investigators.
Training was funded by a

Technical Assistance grant provided by the National Institute of Corrections, and was conducted by The Moss Group, Inc. of Washington D.C.
Instructors included Andie Moss of the Moss Group, Jeff Shorba, Deputy State Court Administrator for the Minnesota State Court System, and Cari Gerlicher, Director of the Minnesota Department of Correction's Office of Special Investigations.
A practitioner roundtable included GDC Statewide Mental Health Director Dr. James

DeGroot, Prosecutor James Moss, DJJ Director of Behavioral Health Services Miguel Fernandez, and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Denise Atkinson, RN.
The group was welcomed by Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Brian Owens and Department of Juvenile Justice Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Youth Services Carl Brown.

Sexual Response Teams, a zero-tolerance for sexual

crime scene and investigation abuse of incarcerated offend-

processes. Agency investiga- ers.

tion policies, first responders,

role of medical and mental The Department of Correc-

health, working with victims tions has a zero tolerance of

of sexual abuse, interviewing sexual abuse and seeks to

and report writing were also eliminate sexual abuse of of-

discussed.

fenders under agency super-

vision. Perpetrators of sexual

Through this training, investi- abuse are aggressively inves-

gators will be better equipped tigated and prosecuted.

to respond to victims of sex-

ual abuse in a gender and

trauma informed manner.

The 54 investigators received training on the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), legal issues, boundaries,

This training moves these agencies toward compliance with federal mandates of PREA, which establishes

Valdosta Transitional Center Partners with Local Parole Office

Contributed by Continuous Improvement Cathy Smith-Curry and Counselor Amy Smith
parole date, and other issues they may have. Counselor Amy Smith and her team are also very instrumental in this process, teaching classes and conducting informational sessions. These sessions work very well and have proven beneficial to the residents in the reentry process.

finding local residences and staying within this community. This helps not only the employment in the community, but also helps the residents to stay out of prison due to not going back to "old habits, old friends, old playgrounds."

Counselor Laura Fountain with Valdosta Transitational Center residents

In an effort to prepare the men at Valdosta Transitional Center for successful reentry, the staff at the TC established a partnership with the local Parole Office in March of 2011 to favorably influence recidivism rates. Since that time, they have had great success with this partnership and helping residents to transition back into society.

Local Parole Officer Eric Bryant currently teaches a chapter from the Reentry Handbook to the residents on a frequent basis which outlines Parole Supervision, and what to expect while on parole. This class helps the residents to be more prepared for the next step after a transitional center and approximately 90% of the residents release with parole

to follow.
Also, there are quarterly meetings scheduled which are "Question and Answer" Sessions. Local Parole Officers visit residents at the Valdosta Transitional Center and answer questions they may have about the process of having an address approved, when they may expect a

Another contributing factor to the success of the reentry process at Valdosta TC is the employment rate which currently stands at 98%. Valdosta TC houses approximately 100 residents. When potential employers contact the TC with available jobs, with their employment rate being peek, they are able to refer them the local parole office to seek workers to fill those jobs.
The residents are also keeping their jobs after release and, due to local parole's help, the residents are

Grand Opening of Coastal State Prison Career Center

Contributed by Secretary Emma Arnold

On December 15, 2011, Coastal State Prison held a Grand Opening for their new Career Center. Warden Jack Koon cut the ribbon and officially opened the new center.

Service Program Consultant Pearline Mosley from the GDC Risk Reduction Services attended the ceremony along with with Crystal Crews, Kristen Kinney, and Tia Allen of the Criminal Justice Coor-

their release dates access to each year as they move

more than 20 computers.

through the Coastal Strate-

Career Clerks from the Faith gic Intervention Programs.

and Character Based Pro- Coastal SP averages 30 in-

gram at Coastal SP and who mate releases each week.

are trained by the Department

of Labor will provide assis- "The center will be a tremen-

Risk Reduction Counseling Unit Manager Keith Jones, Program Director Chandra Fussell and Social

dinating Council.
The center will provide Coastal SP inmates who are near

tance to the inmates.
The center is expected serve up to 1,500 inmates

dous asset to those inmates nearing their parole or release to dates," stated Warden Koon.

Phillips Transitional Center Residents Seeking Higher Education

Contributed by Counselor Jennifer Grey

Three Phillips Transitional Center residents completed the Fall 2011 semester in two colleges in the Atlanta area.

These three residents posted passing grades for the term and are in the process of continuing their education.

Residents Herbert Hector and Gerald Sean Green attended Omni Technical Institute and Resident Deante Campbell attended Georgia Piedmont Technical College.
Both Resident Hector and Resident Green are working toward degrees in Audio Engineering. Resident Campbell is working towards a HVAC certification.
All three residents posted passing grades for the term and are continuing their education this year.

Phillips TC sent an additional two residents to Atlanta area colleges in 2012. Resident Carl Stokes began classes at Gainesville State College where he is working towards a degree in Business Administration. Resident Matthew Meadows is attending the Atlanta Technical College and is working towards a diploma in Diesel Technology.
Please join the staff of Phillips TC in commending these residents on their accomplishments and best wishes for a brighter future!

L to R: Resident Hector, Resident Green, and Resident Campbell at Phillips TC Career Center

How to Prepare for Biometric Screening at State Offices South

All United Healthcare and Cigna GDC employees who signed up this year for the Wellness Program are required to obtain a biometric screening which includes four metrics: blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol and glucose.
Screening must be completed between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.
On February 23rd, the GDC and Cigna are sponsoring a Biometric Screening at State

Offices South at Tift College for all SHBP members.
The screening is provided free of charge to all members and their covered spouse. It is, also, open to all GDC employees near the State Offices South campus that wish to attend.
Registration began on January 19th. If you have yet to register for a screening time, please visit http://www.registerformyevent.com/shbp.
Steps employees should take to prepare for the screening:
Do not eat or drink anything but water for 8 hours prior
Drink at least two 8-oz glasses of water 1-2 hours prior
Do not exercise 12 hours prior

What to expect on the day of your screening:
Entire screening process should take 20-25 minutes
Employees will complete and sign a consent form and personal health questionnaire
Height, Weight, Waist Measurement, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Composition will be taken
Blood Pressure Testing
Cholesterol and Glucose Testing (Total, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, Coronary Risk Ratio)
Health Coaching (3-5 minutes)
Once screening is complete, test results will be available on-site for review.

Each participant will also receive a booklet that includes recommendations for them to follow.
If you are unable to attend the Biometric Screening at State Offices South, please contact an in-network physician and set up your screening before June 30, 2012.

Calendar of Events
Thursday, February 3
Board of Corrections Meeting
Wednesday & Thursday February 8 & 9
CLI Session III
Thursday, February 9
Board of Public Safety & CLI Graduation
Saturday, February 18
Hubbard Alumni Association Dinner
Monday, February 20
GDC Roll-up "Day in Central Office"
Thursday, February 23
Biometric Screening at State Offices South
Stay Connected to GDC
facebook.com/georgiacorrections
youtube.com/user/ GACorrections

Commissioner Brian Owens Public Affairs Director, Joan Heath; Managing Editor, Gwendolyn Hogan;
Public Relations and Information Specialist, Kristen Stancil
We welcome all submissions. Please submit articles and photos to: Gwendolyn Hogan by February 16th