Impact Georgia, Oct. 2012

Impact Georgia

In This Issue
1 Commissioner's Message
2Military Job Fair PeachCare
3 Augusta Task Force Images Across the State
4 Commissioner's Pistol Competition GDC Honored with Charitable Award
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Commissioner's Message

Lee Arrendale State Prison. Since then the program has grown to 18 state and four county prison fire stations. In addition, seven boot camps and probation detention centers have trained wildfire teams who assist the Georgia Forestry Commission on wildfires in the North Georgia Mountains.

In recognition of National Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, I wanted to highlight lifesaving safety tips and the Department's involvement in fire prevention.
In 2010, statistics show that fire departments responded to a fire every 24 seconds and a fire claimed nine lives every day in the United States.
Due to the extreme danger that fires pose, the Department implemented a program called Fire Services.
Our Fire Services program has had a long tradition of assisting their local communities. In 1963, Chief Buddy Brooks established the first station at

There are over 220 offenders who are assigned to the offender firefighter program across the state. Title 25 OCGA was amended to permit former offenders to be hired and certified as career firefighters.
Within this program, offenders are given the opportunity to receive training in hazardous materials, vehicle extrication, and structural fire control.
GDC fire stations respond to over 3,000 calls annually and assist other State Agencies in natural disasters and declared emergencies.
I would like to thank Fire Services Director Sylvester Hall and all fire safety professionals in the great state of Georgia for their dedication in providing their services to the surrounding communities.

Fire Prevention Tips
1. INSTALL smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Alarms should be tested at least once a month.
2. CREATE an escape plan. Practice the plan with your family. Remember to stay low to the floor.
3. DO NOT overload electrical circuits or extension cords.
4. BLOW out candles when leaving a room and avoid use of candles in bedrooms or other areas where people may sleep.
5. HAVE at least three feet of space around portable heating equipment.
6. NEVER smoke cigarettes in bed. If you smoke, smoke outside.
7. CLEAN out the dryer vent.
For more Fire Safety Tips visit: www.nfpa.org or scan the QR Code with your smartphone:

Please submit articles and photos to Gwendolyn Hogan by October 17th.
Email: hogang00@dcor.state.ga.us
Did You Know..Law Enforcement unites in Augusta and nets 83 arrests in Operation Community Impact 2012!

2

GDC Hosts Military Job Fair at State Offices South
of Georgia, offer excellent career opportunities."

The fair included of a welcome and demonstrations from each participating agency.

Participants had the opportunity to hear from the Adjutant General Major General Jim Butterworth and a representative of each respective agency. These speakers were Commissioner Colonel Mark McDonough, DPS; Director Vernon Keenan, GBI; Executive Director Michael Nail (PAP); Assistant Commissioner Richard Harrison, DJJ; Captain Bob Lynn, DNR; Commissioner Brian Owens, DOC; and Probation Tactical Squad Commander and Citizen Soldier Gary Bell, DOC.

Demonstrations ranged from Tactical Squad riot and K-9 unit simulation by DOC; Bomb Squad presentation by GBI; helicopter and specialized collision reconstruction team display by DPS; boat dispaly by DNR; and SUV display by PAP.

More than 100 U.S. Veterans attended a military personnel job fair on Sept. 26 at the State Offices South at Tift College.
The event was hosted by the Department in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Defense and Georgia National Guard.
At the end of August, there were 541 unemployed military personnel and 200 college attending military personnel

in the state of Georgia. Upon hearing these numbers Col. Mark London of the Georgia National Guard and Commissioner Brian Owens led the initiative for the job fair.
Six agencies came together to assist military veterans with finding employment.These agencies included Department of Corrections (DOC), Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), Department of Public Safety (DPS), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), State Board

of Pardons & Paroles (PAP) and Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
These agencies combined had approximately 800 jobs available for military veterans returning from duty.
"These men and women have served their country well, and I am proud to see our state agencies join forces and offer this opportunity to U.S. Veterans," said Gov. Nathan Deal. "These agencies, as well as others within the State

"I am honored that the Department was given the opportunity to host this event for our military vets," said Commissioner Owens. "I look forward to participating in future job fairs."
Please visit the Department's Facebook page at facebook.com/gacorrections for videos on the Military Job Fair.

More Benefits. Less Cost. Act Now!
PeachCare for Kids now available for SHBP members. Eligible families can save more than $2,000 per year in premiums when they enroll their child(ren) in PeachCare for Kids. The program provides low-cost, comprehensive and quality health care coverage for children under age 19.
To learn more, visit www.dch.georgia.gov/peachcare-kids or call 1-877-GA PEACH (1-877-427-3224).

Augusta Task Force Nets 83 Arrests
Contributed by William Driver, Field Operations Manager

3

Calendar

Events

Thursday, October 4 Board of Corrections
Meeting

Monday, October 8 Holiday

GDC Officers outside home of a narocotics raid
On Sept 19-21, Operation Community Impact 2012 was conducted in Augusta.
A total of 81 law enforcement officers from three different agencies participated in this operation. Forty-five participants were from the Department of Corrections. This included officers from the Augusta Probation Office, Augusta State Medical Prison TACT Squad, the Northeast Area Probation TACT Squad, Special Operations, Communications Officers and Executive Staff. The Richmond County Sheriff's Office dedicated 27 officers to the operation and the

Deputy Kelly Lundy and DOC Officers making arrest

Augusta Parole Office had nine staff Day three, there were a total of 32 ar-

members involved.

rests; seven probation, one parole and 24

civilian.

A total of 36 arrests were recorded on day

one. The breakdown of arrests are as fol- The joint task force made a total of 83 ar-

lows: 20 probation, three parole and 13 rests in this three day operation.

civilian.

"It is evident that uniting law enforcement

Day two, officers conducted CIP Re-entry is a leading force in fighting crime," said

Compliance Checks and made 15 arrests Commissioner Brian Owens. "We are

while assisting the Special Narcotics Unit proud to again join forces with the Rich-

in a community oriented policing effort. mond County Sheriff's Department in this

The breakdown of arrests are as follows: important endeavor."

three probation and 12 civilian.

Images Across the State

Vision Guide Dog Graduation!

Friday, October 12 Valdosta State Prison
F&CB Family Day Graduation
Tuesday-Wednesday, October 16-17
Probation Operations Off-Site
Thursday, October 25 GPA 3rd Annual Top Gun Tournament
Tuesday, October 30 GDC Quarterly Awards
Ceremony
Wednesday, October 31 Halloween

Horse Auction at Lee Arrendale SP!

Inaugral BPPOT Class Graduation!

On Sept. 12, Metro Transitional Center held it's first VISION Guide Dog Graduation! Board of Corrections Member Carl Franklin served as the speaker of the ceremony.
Graduated dogs pictured below.
On Sept. 22, LASP and the Department of Agriculture held a horse auction.
Over 300 people attended and all horses presented for adoption were adopted.

On Sept. 27, the inaugral BPPOT class graduated. There were 62 graduates.

youtube.com/user/ GACorrections
facebook.com/georgiacorrections

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2nd Annual Commissioner's Pistol Competition

Contributed by Gail Donnelly, Director Georgia Corrections Academy

Third Place: Ron Borders from Augusta Probation Office

Forty-two teams participated in the Team category. Nine finalist teams competed for the winning places. Winners of the Team competition:

First place: Southern Team, Dudley Taylor, Ray Plunket & Rob Jones

Second place: Two Teams, Dodge State Prison Ashley Tood Smith, Alan Raffield & Mike Tennell and Colwell Detention Center Williams Young, Cary Wilson & Edward Bowen

Participants looking at their results
On Sept 28, 163 employees participated in the Second Annual Commissioner's Pistol Competition at the Firearms Training Complex in Jackson.
"The competition provides a fun team environment where field officers can

Employees participating in the 2nd Annual Commissioner's Pistol Competition

test their skills," said Commissioner Winners of the Individual competition:

Brian Owens.

First place: Dwayne Donald from

In the individual category, 144 employ- Whitworth Parole Revocation Center

ees participated and ten finalists com-

peted for the third, second and first Second Place: Rusty Chapman from

place.

Cuthbert Probation Office

GDC Honored with the Commissioner's Award

Third place: Burruss Correctional Training Center Warren Culverhouse, Stevie Dukes & Gerald Danielly
Congratulations to all participants! One Team!

Contributed by Micahel Carlton, Employment Services Manager
luncheon, DOAS Commssioner Sid Johnson and Campaign Chairman Speaker of the House David Ralston presented HR Director Smith and Employment Services Manager Carlton the award.

L to R: DOAS Commissioner Sid Johnson, Employment Services Mgr Michael Carlton, HR Dir Patricia Smith and Speaker of the House David Ralston

On Sept 19, the Department received the Commissioner's Award from the State Charitable Contributions Program.
The Department was runner up to the University of Georgia for the highest contributions per employee in the 9,000

and up employees group.
Human Resources Director Patricia Smith and Employment Services Manager Michael Carlton, attended the State Charitable Contributions Program (SCCP) kickoff luncheon for the 2012-2013 campaign. During the

"We accept this award on behalf of the Commissioner and recognize the unselfish sacrifice of giving that it represents" said HR Director Smith. "We are honored by this award as it shows the giving heart that the employees of Corrections have for helping others in need."
This year's pledge drive begins on October 1 and runs until November 30. Pledges can be made online at giveattheoffice.org/_sccp/. Additional information concerning SCCP, including pledge forms and a listing of available

charities, can be found at the DOAS website doas.ga.gov/sccp.
Pledges can be made in a variety of ways such as monthly payroll deductions, a one-time gift or in memory of a loved one.
In addition, the Department will conduct local fund raising events during the campaign to raise awareness of the program and collect additional money for SCCP.
Last year, state agencies gave a combined total of $1,492,749.00 through pledges.
All GDC employees are encouraged to review the list of charities and give what they can to help someone in need.

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.

BRIAN OWENS Commissioner
PUBLIC AFFAIRS Joan Heath Director
Gwendolyn Hogan Managing Editor Dabney Weems Public Relations & Information Specialist