First Quarterly Awards Ceremony of 2012 L to R: Commissioner Owens, PO of the Quarter SO Yawn, CPO Betsy Thomas, Assistant Commissioner Ward and Dir. of Probation Operations Cooper Executive Assistant Com- Unsung Hero missioner's Office Vonnie Sherryl Johnson Stewart, Professional Ac- Consolidated Banking countant II Evelyn Smith, Payroll Paraprofessional I Executive Operations Tammie Pierson and Chap- Customer Service lain Carlos Guevara. Champion Jeannene Woodruff The Department continued Personnel the ceremony with the pre- sentation of awards to the Unsung Hero following: Byron Johnson, Pete Morris Bryant Hill, Antonnio Printup, Corrections Marc Collins, Tim Jackson, Lyle PO of the Quarter Wilkes, and Candace Fretwell SO James Yawn Sex Offender Apprehension McRae PO Unit CO of the Quarter Kendrick Wilkerson Macon SP Customer Service Champion Cliff Hartley Probation Operations Unsung Hero Julie Stephens Records Clerk-Hays SP L to R: Commissioner Owens, CO of the Quarter Wilkerson, Captain Kevin Davis, Assistant Commissioner Ward and Dir. of Facilities Operations Tillman Operations, Planning & Training Customer Service Champion Elizabeth `Dawn' Mock Office of Information Technology Unsung Hero Rosario Garcia, Risk Reduction Darrell Clark, Office of Health Services Officer Willie Little Campus Operations Faithful Service 5-Year Andrea Roberts-Henderson Katherine Brown Javian HIll Richard Chromi 10-Year Natasha White Cecil Cox 15-Year James `Tim' Williams Sherri Bloodworth Doug Womble Donna McKenzie 20-Year Wendy Davis Angela Pittman William Turner 30-Year Teresa Torrance Lisa Barnes Pamela Rogers Commissioner Owens and Assistant Commissioner Ward with the Sex Offender Apprehension Unit Award Recipients On January 31st, the Department celebrated the first Quarterly Awards Ceremony of 2012 at State Offices South at Tift College. Recognition of new hires included Management Specialist Ronnie Kinnas, Mail Services Lead Worker Chantel Hicks, Audit Manager Thomas McCoy, Director Stan Hall, Project Engineer Emory Burgamy, Administration Customer Service Champion Leslie Broadnax, Anthony George, Deborah Gilchrist, TaCaria Giles, Stephen Jordan, and Tammie Pierson Payroll Unit Did You Know..Athens DRC Scored a 95 out of 100 on the Georgia Programs Assessment Inventory! 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. Athens Day Reporting Center Scores the Highest Ever on GPAI Each year, Georgia Department of Corrections Day Reporting Centers, Regional Substance Abuse Treatment facilities and other sites that offer evidence based programming are assessed by the GDC Risk Reduction Unit using the Georgia Programs Assessment Inventory (GPAI). The GPAI is based on a national instrument that is utilized as an evaluative tool adherence to evidence based best practices. Adherence to these best practices has been proven to directly relate to the reductions in recidivism and thereby resulting in cost saving to tax payers. Each year these GDC sites are put to the test using the GPAI and later given the results. These results inform the program directors and their staff of the location's strengths and weaknesses as it relates Contributed by Statewide Day Reporting Centers Manager Rosalyn Davis to nationally established best practices. The sites are then encouraged to maintain their strengths and improve on their weaknesses before the next assessment. The Athens Day Reporting Center recently earned a score of 95 out of a possible 100 points. This is an increase of 4.7 points from their 2010 score. Robert Kiedinger, Manager of the READ Unit with Re-Entry/ Risk Reduction Services, reported this score was an all time high for the GPAI Project. The Athens Day Reporting Center, under the leadership of Center Administra- Center Administrator Powers and Chief Probation Officer Will Driver and their team tor Tripp Powers and Chief Probation Officer Will Driver, implemented various programming improvements throughout the year of 2010, which address the needs of participants in the program. As a result of their leadership and teamwork concept, the Athens Day Reporting Center has set the standard for all other Day Reporting Centers in Georgia. When asked about the center's success, Center Administrator Powers credits the dedication and hard work of a tremendous group of staff members that consist of Paige Barber, Reginald Birdsong, Aaron Cobb, Linda Gilbert, Beverly Grant, Firefigther Recognition Day at the State Capitol Patty Guerra, Lasheika Kassa, Jessica McFadden, Bernard Roebuck, Samad Tucker and Stephanne Thornton. Contributed by Fire Services Administrative Operations Coordinator Meribeth Gable On February 7th, the Georgia Department of Corrections Fire Services participated in the annual Firefighter Recognition Day at the State Capitol. On this day, firefighters from across the state are recognized by the Governor, State Representatives and the Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgen. L to R: Fire Services Chief Maddox, Fire Inspector Chief Brown, Insurance Commissioner Hudgen, Dir. of Fire Services Chief Hall, State Fire Marshal Dwayne Garris and Central District Fire Chief Shugart Four members of the GDC Fire Services were deputized for the first time and they were Director of Fire Services Chief Sylvester Hall Jr., Fire Inspector Chief Larry Brown, Chief Tommy Maddox and Central District Fire Chief Don Shugart. The Fire Marshals along with Chief Tammy Ayers of the Lee Arrendale Fire Station, Chief David Emery of Hays SP Fire Station and Chief Charles Price of Macon SP Fire Station attended a recognition breakfast that morning and a ceremony where Governor Nathan Deal thanked the firefighters for their outstanding job in protecting the citizens of Georgia. Augusta State Medical Prison Celebrates National Wear Red Day Contributed by Administrative Assistant Sharon Davis On February 3rd, Augusta State Medical Prison celebrated National Wear Red Day in support of the fight against heart disease in women. Staff will raise money during the walk and collect donations during a hot dog fundraiser they plan to hold during lunch. In an effort to support this This annual celebration pro- great cause, ASMP orches- motes physical activity and trated a Super Bowl Challenge heart healthy living in a fun at their facility. Staff contrib- family environment. More uted money for their favorite than 2,000 walkers are antici- teams. Staff who contributed pated to participate in the non- to the Giants won bragging competitive four mile walk. rights! Ninety-five dollars was collected and donated to the "Our goal is to raise money American Heart Association. for the Association, have a fun day walking together as a In addition, ASMP will par- team and increase awareness ticipate in the American Heart that heart disease is still the Association's CSRA Heart number one killer of women," Walk on March 3rd. This is said Administrative Assistant the first time ASMP has par- Sharon Davis. ASMP staff group picture in support of National Wear Red Day ticipated. CLI Graduation Reaches 25th Graduating Class Milestone Contributed by Corrections Academy Staff Trainer Delphine Reese leadership staff for increasing levels of responsibility with the focus on developing managerial skills to help them become more effective in overseeing changes, challenges and opportunities. The 25th graduating class was the first class to include participants with two correctional partners, the Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Department of 25th CLI Graduating Class Juvenile Justice. On February 9th, the Cor- a 25th graduating class mile- Since the first graduating class Please join me in congraturections Leadership Institute stone in the partnership be- in 2000, there have been 558 lating the 25th graduating held a graduation ceremony tween the Georgia Depart- students graduate from CLI. CLI class! for 27 students. ment of Corrections and the Carl Vinson Institute of the CLI is a course intended to The graduating class marked University of Georgia. prepare middle and senior Office of Investigations & Compliance Donates Hundreds of Cell Phones Contributed by Ombudsman & Inmate Affairs Manager phones to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program. GCADV brings together members agencies, allied organizations and supportive individuals who are committed to ending domestic violence. GCADV helps social change by addressing the root causes of this violence. GCADV leads advocacy ef- forts for responsive public policy and fosters quality, comprehensive prevention and intervention services GBI Special Agent Tori Peacock and Ombudsman & Inmate Affairs Mgr. Fields throughout the state. The Office of Investigations Georgia Coalition Against Do- and Compliance donated mestic Violence and part- HopeLine is a program that hundreds of phones to the nered with the GBI to give puts wireless services to work to assist victims of domestic violence. HopeLife collects used cell phones in any condition from any service provider. These used phones are refurbished and sold for reuse, thus generating proceeds for the program. Refurbished phones with 3,000 minutes are provided to local domestic violence organizations, local government and law enforcement agencies for the use of their domestic violence clients. Congratulations OIC for contributing to such a great cause! Calendar of Events Thursday, March 1 Board of Corrections Meeting Thursday, March 8 Board of Public Safety Tuesday, March 13 Macon DRC Graduation Wednesday-Friday March 14-16 GPA Mid-Winter Conference Monday, March 19 GDC Roll-up "Day in Central Office" Tuesday, March 20 Athens DRC Graduation Friday, March 30 Tift College Alumni Campus Tours Stay Connected to GDC facebook.com/georgiacorrections youtube.com/user/ GACorrections Law Enforcement United's Annual Memorial Ride Contributed by Chief Probation Officer Chad Dabbs On May 1, 2012, United States Law Enforcement Training Probation Officer Thomas Plumley will be joining bicyclists in a group ride known as Law Enforcement United's Road to Hope. Center in Brunswick, Georgia. Riders will arrive in Virginia Beach on May 9th, where they will be joined by many more cycling officers and survivors. On May 13th, they will arrive This year Officer Plumley will at their final destination of be riding in honor of Georgia Washington, DC for the 2012 Department of Corrections National Police Week. Probation Officer Tiffany Dan- ielle Bishop; end of watch, Part of Officer Plumley's com- August 31, 2011. mitment to participate in this ride requires him to raise The ride is composed of law enforcement officers and surviving family members of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. $1,250 for Law Enforcement United (LEU), which in turn provides monetary support to Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) and the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). It will begin at the Federal To contribute to Officer Plumley's goal, please visit: http://www.lawenforcementunited.org/ Donate. Should you have any questions, please contact Chad Dabbs at 706-295-6530. 21st Annual Ride for Fallen Officers in Georgia Contributed by Chief Probation Officer Chad Dabbs 2011 Fallen Officers Probation Officer Tiffany Danielle Bishop Georgia Department of Corrections, Rome Deputy Sheriff Derrick Whittle Union County Sheriff's Office Detective Robert Shane Wilson Doraville Police Department Deputy Sheriff Richard `Rick' Joseph Daly Clayton County Sheriff's Office Deputy Sheriff James `JD' Paugh Richmond County Sheriff's Office Deputy Sheriff Willie Amos Cammon Heard County Sheriff's Office Sheriff James `Dee' Stewart Spaulding County Sheriff's Department Police Officer Terry Lewis-Flemming Albany Police Department Deputy Sheriff Ronnie Eugene Smith Butts County Sheriff's Office Sr. Police Officer Elmer `Buddy' Christian Athens-Clarke County Police Department ATSAIC Christopher Smith USDHS Secret Services The 21st Annual Ride for Fallen Officers in Georgia will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Motorcycle riders participating in this event are showing their recognition and support of the fallen law enforcement officers. In 2011, Georgia lost 11 officers in the line of duty. On the evening prior to the ride, the 27th of April, there will be a Hereos Concert, candlelight vigil and dinner. Riders can register from 8 to 10:30AM on April 28th. The ride begins at Turner Field at 11AM. Riders will circle the State Capitol in Atlanta, ride down West Fayetteville Road and along highways 314, 85, and 74. Riders will finish at the Atlanta Regional Airport in Peachtree City. The cost per rider is $35 and $15 per passenger. The fee will include a ride pin, shirt and lunch. Come out and join the ride in remembrance of our fallen officers of 2011. For more information, please contact Ed Christian or Chad Dabbs: Ed Christian (770) 719-8306 or eddie2909@aol.com. Chad Dabbs at (706) 295-6530. Commissioner Brian Owens Public Affairs Director, Joan Heath; Managing Editor, Gwendolyn Hogan We welcome all submissions. Please submit articles and photos to: Gwendolyn Hogan by March 15th E-mail: hogang00@dcor.state.ga.us