Impact Georgia, Jan. 2012

A Message from Commissioner Brian Owens

First addressed by Governor Nathan Deal in February 2011, Criminal Justice Reform has been the main focus for public safety agencies in recent months.
Following his initial comments in support of alternative sentencing for non-violent offenders, the Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee adopted a proposal to assign a group to study sentencing reform.

An 11-member council was established and began conducting a thorough study of the state's criminal justice structure and by November 2011 the council supplied the Governor and lawmakers with their recommendations.
The Department of Corrections fully supports Governor Deal's mission in reforming our current criminal justice practices. I look forward to what the future might hold in alternative sentencing, prison populations, offender programs, and the recidivism rate.
The recommendations presented by the council included methods on how to effectively use community-based sanctions and Georgia's resources, how to strengthen community-based super-

vision, and how to improve government performance. They also presented changes to the classification of theft, burglary, forgery and minor traffic offenses. For example, the council suggested a threshold increase of theft, the creation of separate degrees of burglary, the creation of degrees of forgery and changing minor traffic offenses from misdemeanors to violations. By altering the degrees of charges, lowrisk, non-violent offenders can be effectively supervised in the community at a low cost which will in turn ensure available prison beds for high-risk, violent offenders.
Within these recommendations, the establishment of a Criminal Justice Reform Oversight Council was

discussed. The Oversight council will be composed of legislative, executive, judicial branch members and representatives from state and local criminal justice systems. The purpose of this council will be to examine issues such as Juvenile Justice Reform, Misdemeanor Probation and Battered Person Syndrome Reforms.
I urge all Department of Corrections employees to take a look at and familiarize yourselves with the Criminal Justice Reform Report at the following address: http://www. legis.ga.gov/Documents/GACouncilReport-FINALDRAFT. pdf.
Thank you for your continued commitment to public safety.

New Infectious Disease Clinic Opens at Augusta State Medical Prison

Remarks were given by Deputy Warden T.J. Conley and Division Director of OPT, Arnold Smith.

Managing Director of Georgia Correctional Health Care Robert Bradford provided guests with an overview of the clinic and the keynote speaker of the ceremony was Executive Vice President David S. Hefner of Clinical Affairs of the Georgia Health Sciences University.

Official Ribbon Cutting Party, L to R: FOM Hall, DW Conley, Medical Dir. Lewis, Dir. of Health Services Sittnick, Dir. of OPT Smith, Executive VP of Clinical Affairs of GHSU Hefner, Managing Dir, of GCHC Bradford, GCHC Dir. of Pharmacy

On December 15, 2011, ASMP hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Infectious Disease Clinic.

Health Sciences University, the clinic was created to access 340B drug pricing for offender drug purchases.

Treatment Scott Wilkes welcomed guests and thanked them for coming to celebrate the opening of the

A satellite of the Georgia

Deputy Warden of Care &

Infectious Disease Clinic.

The new clinic will benefit the state of Georgia by lowering the cost of inmate drug purchases by an estimated $2 million a year and it will enhance safety by delivering services on-site in a secure setting instead of transporting inmates to a medical facility within the community.

Did You Know..The Infectious Disease Clinic will lower the cost of inmate drug purchases by approximately $2 million a year.

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.

Georgia Probation Association's 5th Annual TOP GUN Competition Contributed by Chief Probation Officer Drew Chestnutt

L to R: CPO Chestnutt, FOM Mullis, TOP Gun Winner Macon PO Robert Ketterman, Commissioner Owens, Asst. Commissioner Ward and Dir. of Probation Ops Cooper

L to R: CPO Chestnutt, FOM Mullis, Commissioner Owens, 2nd Place Win- L to R: CPO Chestnutt, FOM Mullis, Commissioner Owens, 3rd Place

ner John Kelly in Probation Training, Asst. Commissioner Ward and Dir. of Winner Justin Wilkinson in Parole, Asst. Commissioner Ward and Dir.

Probation Ops Cooper

of Probation Ops Cooper

On November 18, 2011, the Georgia Probation Association held the Fifth Annual Derek Chance Memorial TOP GUN Competition.
With thirty-nine of the best shooters from Probation Operations, Facilities Operations, and Parole the competition was pretty stiff.
After all rounds were fired and and the smoke cleared, Robert Ketterman of the Macon Probation Office was the TOP GUN winner. Ketterman was presented with a Glock 23 engraved with the

Georgia Probation Association seal.
John Kelly of Probation Training was the 2nd place winner and Justin Wilkinson of Parole was the 3rd place winner in the shooting competition.
The GPA Derek Chance Memorial TOP GUN Competition is held in memory of Derek Chance. Derek was born on July 30, 1980. He began his career with the Department of Corrections Probation Operations on December 1, 2005. Derek was an avid

shooter and he won the GPA TOP GUN competition on more than one occasion. He became very involved in organizing the TOP GUN event and he truly enjoyed it every year.
Derek passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on May 28, 2010 while he was spending time with friends on a golf course. He was, as usual, living life to the fullest and engaging in a sports event.
At the time of his death, Derek was a Probation Officer II in the Marietta Probation

Office.
At this year's TOP GUN event, Commissioner Owens, Assistant Commissioner Tim Ward and Director of Probation Operations Stan Cooper were on hand to congratulate the winners.
Probation Trainer Bill Blackburn called the range at the competition with assistance provided by Probation Training and Parole Training.
"I would like to thank everyone for their participation and thank the GPA Board

for their hard work in conducting this competition," said Immediate Past President of GPA Drew Chestnutt. "GPA looks forward to this competition next year and would like to encourage everyone to practice and come out for a great time of competition and fellowship," added Chestnutt.

Bureau of Justice Assistance Awards GDC with PREA Demonstration Grant

L to R: Statewide PREA Coordinator Jett and Andie Moss of the Moss Group, Inc.

Contributed by Statewide PREA Coordinator Karen Jett

Earlier this fall, the Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded a $600,000 PREA Demonstration Grant to the Georgia Department of Corrections.

The Moss Group, Inc. of Washington, D.C. to conduct sexual vulnerability assessments, strategic planning, development of curricula and orientation programs.

The Prison Rape Elimination Act: Demonstration Projects to Establish "Zero Tolerance" Cultures for Sexual Assault Programs will address the need for greater guidance and strategies in the

The contract was signed by Andie Moss of The Moss Group on December 1, 2011, thus commencing the project.

management, supervision, and treatment of women offenders in creating sexually safe facility cultures.

Many facets of this project will have implications for the male offender population, as appropriate.

The GDC has contracted with

The grant will also fund the contract for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (S.A.N.E.) regionally.
This will eliminate the need for offender (male and female) transport to Emergency Rooms for rape examinations.
The facilities that will participate in this two-year project will be Lee Arrendale State Prison, Pulaski State Prison and Emanuel Women's Facility.

Coastal State Prison and RSAT Partner with the Community Contributed by Secretary Emma Arnold
ation of programming positively impacts the dynamics of a correctional facility.

Recently, Warden Jack Koon and Coastal managers toured the Sheriff's Department's jail to review innovative processes and changes that were implemented as a result of these visits. Colonel Enoch and Ms. Dorsey were able to implement more effective programming, while creating an inmate work environment which mimics GDC style of structure and discipline.

Front Row, L to R: Lt. Julie Mitchell, Cheryl Barnwell, Martha Johnson, Warden Jack Koon, Colonel Terry Enoch, Jail Administrator, Gloria Ancrum, Rhoda Kimble, Latoya Lawrence, Angela Dorsey, Pam Green-Scott, Kimberly Hart, Marsha Beaufort. Back Row, L To R: Marion Groover, Lt. John Beasley, Lt. Ivory Orr, Cassandra Barnwell, Debra Johnson, Joni York, Charles Wilcox, Jack Carter, Kendra Crawford, Lorraine Lovett

Coastal State Prison and (RSAT) Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. has embraced a new community initiated partnership with the Chatham County Sheriff's Department.

During the months of October and November, Coastal SP hosted a number of site visits to key personnel from the Sheriff's Department. Spearheading the coordina-

from substance abuse programming, classification committee, mental health department, recreational department, CERT team, and other security staff.

This corrections/treatment based relationship has allowed key managers within Coastal to partner with senior level management within the Sheriff's Department, allowing both parties to share ways of providing effective treatment within a correctional setting, while simultaneously ensuring the public's safety.

tion of the visits were Coastal RSAT Director Rhoda Kimble along with Sheriff's Department Programs' Manager Angela Dorsey. Key members who toured Coastal SP were Jail Administrator Colonel Terry Enoch, Captain of Operations Gloria Ancrum, and Captain of Security Robert Lamb. Other key personnel included representatives

The tours allowed personnel from the Sheriff's Department an opportunity to visit with all areas of SIP programming, general population, recreation areas, and the isolation/segregation unit. Each tour ended with a questions and answers out-briefing in regards to the visit and how implement-

The Chatham County Jail currently houses 1,800 offenders. However, with a recent award of $100 million dollars, the Sheriff's Department is not only looking towards expansion of the facility to accommodate over 2,400 offenders, but also an expansion in promoting effective offender rehabilitation as they reintegrate back into the community. This newly formed partnership has created a "one team" approach which will not only enhance agencies, but will create stepping stones for the offenders, who will return to their communities as law-abiding, prosocial citizens.

GEO Riverbend Correctional Facility Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Calendar of Events
Monday, January 2 HOLIDAY
Thursday, January 5
Board of Corrections Meeting
Monday, January 9
2012 Legislative Session Begins
Thursday, January 12
Board of Public Safety Meeting
Monday, January 16 HOLIDAY
Tuesday, January 17
GDC Roll-Up "Day in Central Office" Wednesday, January 25
Blood Drive Vinzant Gymnasium
1-6PM
Stay Connected to GDC

GEO Riverbend Correctional Facility
On December 6, 2011, The GEO Group and Baldwin County Development Authority hosted a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for Riverbend Correctional Facility.
Riverbend is an $80 million facility that was constructed through a partnership between The GEO Group and the Georgia Department of Corrections.
This facility will house 1,500 offenders and has brought 300 full-time jobs to Baldwin

County residents.
Riverbend opened ahead of schedule, only 16 months after the official ground breaking ceremony in August 2010.
The ribbon cutting ceremony began with music provided by the Baldwin High School Quartet. Warden Fredrick J. Head welcomed guests and remarks were made by distinguished guests.
Remarks were given by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, GEO Group CEO George Zoley,

Asst. Commissioner Ward conducting a tour with Board Member Dasher

GDC Commissioner Brian Owens, State Senator Johnny Grant, State Representative Rusty Kidd, Mayor Richard Bentley, and County Commissioner Faye Smith.
"Riverbend is a state of the art facility with a strong leadership team and staff," said Commissioner Owens. "We believe GEO will be solid partners as together we continue to achieve our mission, protecting the citizens of Georgia," added Owens.

After the official ribbon cutting, guests were provided with a guided tour of the newly constructed facility. Assistant Commissioner Tim Ward gave a personal tour of the facility to Board of Corrections member Wayne Dasher as seen above.
The facility officially began receiving inmates on December 13, 2011.

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Centralized Transportation Unit Receives 10 New Transport Buses Contributed by Deputy Director of Facilities Operations Vanessa O'Donnell

View of the New Transport Buses from Patrol Road

On December 19, 2011, ten new buses were added to the transportation fleet.
With these new additons the transportation fleet has increased to a total of 29 vehicles, thus enhancing the daily operations of the Centralized Transportation Unit.

Many of the transport buses in this fleet are worn out due to age and constant use. The new buses will save money in fuel efficency, provide better security, provide safer driving conditions and will enable the Centralized Transportation Unit to adopt a vehicle maintenance program.

Commissioner Owens and Asst. Commissioner Ward with new recipients of the Transport Buses

The vehicle maintenance program will require each Hub Captain, Business Manager and Maintenance Personnel at each institution to set up a vehicle preventive maintenance program. The program will help reduce wear and tear on the buses.

With the new buses, the transportation unit can reserve some of the older buses as back-up, while proper maintenance is being conducted.
In the past, the system did not have additional buses that could be substituted.

This program will allow the Centralized Transportation Unit the ability to rotate the buses off the road and save thousands of dollars.
The final result will be more efficient, effective and safer use of our transportation vehicles.

Recipient of the 2010 Wingman Award

2010 Wingman Award Recipient Investigator Byron Johnson of the GDC Apprehension Unit

Contributed by Director of Investigations & Compliance Ricky Myrick

On December 9, 2011, In- Investigator Johnson and

vestigator Byron Johnson the entire GDC Apprehen-

of the GDC Apprehension sion Unit are members of

Unit received the South- the SERFTF.

east Regional Fugitive

Task Force's 2010 Wing- The Wingman Award is

man Award. The South- given to the Investigator as-

east Regional Fugitive signed to the SERFTF who

Task Force, or SERFTF, is considered to be "the

is a multi-jurisdictional most dependable, always

task force comprised of 32 there for you, got your back"

state, local, and federal law Investigator, who all other

enforcement agencies and Investigators "trust with their

is staffed by 69 Investiga- lives each day." The recipi-

tors. The SERFTF is led by ent of the Wingman Award

the United States Marshals is chosen by his/her peers

Service and its mission is by popular vote. Not much

the apprehension of the higher an honor can be be-

worst of the worst violent stowed upon a Law Enforce-

offenders.

ment Professional carrying

out such a dangerous mission than that of being honored by your peers.
"Investigator Johnson is but one of the many GDC employees that often go unnoticed as they carry out our difficult and dangerous mission each day," said Director of Investigations & Compliance Ricky Myrick. "Please join me in congratulating him on his outstanding efforts and on his receipt of this prestigious award," added Myrick.

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