Impact Georgia, 2012 June

Impact Georgia June 2012 Newsletter

Department To Convert Existing Pre-Release Centers to Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Centers

With the passing of House Bill 1176, Governor Deal expressed his desire to convert the Department's existing Pre-Release Centers into Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Centers.
The conversion of West Central, Appling and Turner Pre-Release Centers into RSAT facilities has begun. The opening date for all three centers is July 1, 2012.
"Georgia has shown our

intensive substance abuse treatment.

According to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2006, 74% of state prisoners with mental disorders suffer from substance abuse nationwide.

citizens we can be tough on crime, but now we need to prove that we can be smart on crime," said Commissioner Brian Owens.

Residential

Substance

Abuse Treatment is a six-

to-nine month program for

probationers and inmates.

Offenders selected for this

program are offenders near-

ing release, sentenced pro-

bationers, parole revocators

and other court or GDC re-

ferred offenders who need

The Department will provide integrated treatment for male and female offenders who suffer from both substance abuse and mental disorders.
"The Department will be the first Corrections System in the nation to implement an integrated treatment facility for female offenders," said Commissioner Owens.
West Central will become a 194-bed, nine-month female integrated treatment RSAT facility, Appling will become a 232-bed, nine-

month male integrated treatment RSAT facility, and Turner will become a 232-bed, sixmonth male RSAT facility treating offenders for severe addiction needs.
With the addition of West Central, Appling and Turner, the department will have a total of 12 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Centers throughout the state of Georgia focusing on substance abuse treatment for state offenders.
"RSAT Centers will provide our offenders with the tools necessary to make better choices," said Commisioner Owens.
In the next month, the Department will focus its efforts on selecting offenders for the program, training staff on treatment programs and transferring high risk, high need offenders into the treatment facility by July 1, 2012.

12 For Life Graduation Ceremony

On May 22nd, the Department held a 12 For Life graduation ceremony for five amazing students. Over the past year, these students have worked in various units within the Operations, Planning and Training division.
Commissioner Brian Owens attended the 12 For Life graduation where graduates shared moving stories of their rewarding experience at the Department.
Congratulations to the 2012

graduates:

Richard Boswell - Clerk 1 Campus Operations
DJ High - Clerk 1 OPTD Director's Office
Tyler Moss - Clerk 1 Information Technology

Commissioner Owens speaks with 12 for Life student, Justin West

Kendarius Proctor - Clerk 1 Planning & Strategic Management

Justin West - Clerk 1 Training

L to R: 12 for Life graduates, Tyler Moss, Richard Boswell, and Kendarius Proctor

12 for Life graduate, DJ High talks about his great experience at Ga. Dept. of Corrections

Did You Know...Georgia will be the first state to implement an intergrated treatment program for females.

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.
Georgia Peace Officer Memorial at Georgia Public Safety Training Center

Commissioner Owens and Director of Probation Operations Cooper with the parents of Tiffany Bishop share in her memory.

Director of Probation Operations Cooper, Chief Probation Officer Dabbs, Commissioner Owens with the family of Tiffany Bishop at the 2012 Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony.

On May 7th, the Georgia Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony was held at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, Georgia.
Law Enforcement, family and friends gathered in the auditorium at GPSTC to honor the memory of the 2011 fallen officers.
The ceremony began with the Call to Order by the Georgia Public Safety Training Center Director Timothy Bearden. The presentation of colors followed and was provided by the Clayton County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard. The National Anthem was performed by Jeff Dean of the GPSTC Fire Academy Division and the invocation was conducted by Senior Chaplain for GPSTC Dr. Laudis H. Lanford.
The Keynote Speaker, Governor Nathan Deal, provided the Memorial Address.

The Honor Roll followed and was conducted by Vice Chairman of the Board of Public Safety, Ellis Wood.
Governor Deal, GPSTC Director Bearden, Senior Chaplain Dr. Lanford and Vice Chairman Wood presented each family with a proclamation and a shadow box frame containing a medal and flag that flew above the State Captiol in honor of their loved one.
The 2012 honorees included:
James Ira Ricketson, Douglas Police Department End of Watch: 9/9/1920
Floyd Henry Malone, Jones County Police Department End of Watch: 8/28/1925
Frank M. Tucker, Jones County Police Department End of Watch: 8/28/1925

James Martin Johnson, Jr., Carrollton Police Department End of Watch: 5/26/2010
Elmer Basco "Buddy" Christian, III, Athens-Clarke County Police Department End of Watch: 3/22/2011
Richard Joseph Daly, Clayton County Sheriff's Office End of Watch: 7/20/2011
Tiffany Danielle Bishop, Georgia Department of Corrections End of Watch: 8/31/2011
Derrick Lee Whittle, Union County Sheriff's Office End of Watch: 9/18/2011
James David Paugh, Richmond County Sheriff's Office End of Watch:10/23/2011

Terry Mae Lewis-Flemming, Albany Police Department End of Watch: 10/28/2011
Ronnie Eugene Smith, Butts County Sheriff's Office End of Watch: 12/17/2011
The unveiling of the names on the Georgia Memorial Wall followed the formal ceremony.

Commissioner Owens, Probation Operations Director Cooper and Chief Probation Officer Chad Dabbs stood united with the Bishop family in remembrance of Georgia Department of Correction's Tiffany Danielle Bishop of the Rome Probation Office.

Shadow Box of medal and flag honoring Tiffany Bishop.

2 Impact Georgia

Rescued: Detention Center & FAMA Join Together for Dog Rescue Program
Contributed by Superintendent Diane M. Hassett

Calendar of Events
Thursday, June 7 Tifton DRC
Commencement

Sunday - Wednesday June 10 - 13
GPWA Summer Conference

L to R Back Row Darrel Pauldo (Risk Reduction), Counselor Ellen Kennedy (Program Co-Facilitator Colwell PDC), Diane Hassett (Supt. Colwell PDC), Debbie Mitchell (Volunteer), Jan Eaton (Tri-State Pet Rescue Inc./FAMA)

Saving lives and giving indi- and the state's detainees.

also receive an On-the- week program, the dogs

viduals a fresh start is what

Job Training (OJT) Certifi-

the newly implemented pro- The mission of Rescued is to cate in Grooming.

gram, Rescued, is all about. save dogs from being eutha-

will be returned to TriState Pet Rescue, Inc./ FAMA for adoption to their

nized at Fannin and Gilmer Superintendent Diane forever home. Detainees

Rescued is the first dog res- County Animal Shelters.

Hassett said the program are given an employment

cue program within the Geor-

name of Rescued is ap- skill they can use when

gia Department of Corrections At Colwell Probation Deten- propriate for both the dogs they are returned into their

statewide. The Department, tion Center in Blairsville, and the detainees.

communities and in the

Colwell Probation Detention Georgia, the detainees pro-

end, Rescued undoubt-

Center and the Tri-State Pet vide the training necessary "It's a win-win for all," Has- edly lives up to its name!

Rescue, Inc./ FAMA partnered to teach basic dog obedience sett added. together to make a difference techniques and animal care-

in the lives of rescued dogs taking skills. Detainees can At the end of an eight

Running for a Cure

Contributed by Manager of Basic Programs, Carolyn Liggins

Friday, June 22 GPA Golf Tournament
Wednesday, June 27 OPT Division Leadership
Off-Site
Stay Connected to GDC

facebook.com/georgiacorrections

Cancer Survivor, Sam Little, talks about his journey with cancer and offers words of GDC staff participates in the Pre-Walk Silent Auction. encouragement to the survivors and caretakers at the Pre-Walk.

On May 14th, GDC headquarters partnered with the Forsyth City Police Department to host a Pre-Walk for Relay For Life in Forsyth, Georgia. Pre-Walk participants included cadets, training and GDC staff.
To kick off the event, GDC cancer survivors, caregivers and supporters gathered

in the Historic Circle at State Offices South to share their stories of courage and strength during their battle with cancer. During the event, a silent auction was held and a total of $300 was raised.
Central Office employees set a goal to raise $1,000, but exceeded that goal and raised $2,047.18!

This year, the American Can- would like to contribute to this cer Society's 2012 Relay For great cause, please visit Life of Monroe County raised Relayforlife.org to make your over $86,000 in the fight donation. against cancer. Together the Forsyth community raised over half of Relay for Life's goal of $103,000 and it is not too late to get involved.

The Relay For Life fundraiser ends August 31, 2012. If you

3 Impact Georgia

youtube.com/user/ GACorrections

Probation Officer Makes A Difference in His Community
Contributed by Assistant Commissioner Tim Ward

Probation Officer Antwoin Curtis holds championship trophy of the Warner Robins Express team

Express basketball team wins championship game

Probation Officer Antwoin Curtis is making a difference in the lives of eighth and ninth graders in Central Georgia through basketball. PO Curtis has been coaching Houston County's Express basketball team for the past six years. Under his leadership, these young boys have won numerous tournaments and will be traveling to Arkansas in July to compete in the Basketball Nationals!
PO Curtis played basketball for Warner Robins High School where he was a two year starter. Due to a knee injury, he then went on to play intramural basketball for Georgia State Univeristy.

After college, PO Curtis' undying love for the game led him to coach a children's team.
PO Curtis has a passion not only for basketball, but for children and wants to be a positive influence in their lives. When asked why he got involved in these boys' lives, PO Curtis said, "I just want to make a difference in some kids' lives. To some kids, I am the only positive male role model they have and they see me as a father figure, friend and mentor."
This basketball team gives these kids the opportunity to travel outside of Houston

County and even the state of Georgia.
"I love what I do and I feel great about volunteering my time to the community," says PO Curtis.
Coaching this team goes well beyond just basketball. PO Curtis' intent is to make a positive impression on these kids.
He stated, "I believe with hard work and dedication, anything is possible as long as you have good grades, respect for yourself and others and have faith in yourself. My passion comes from seeing the kids on the hardwood

having fun and not being on the streets getting in trouble."
PO Curtis' commitment and passion for his community is commendable and deserving of recognition. There is a lesson to be learned from PO Curtis and his willingness to be a positive, constant figure in the lives of these young boys.
Small changes make a big difference and PO Curtis is not only making a difference in his community, but his dedication will make a difference in this world!

Commissioner Brian Owens Public Affairs Director, Joan Heath; Managing Editor, Gwendolyn Hogan;
Public Relations & Information Specialist, Joycelyn Lucas
We welcome all submissions. Please submit articles and photos to: Gwendolyn Hogan by June 18th