Impact Georgia, Sept. 2012

Probation Operations Receives National Award

The Division of Probation Operations received the 2012 President's Award from the American Probation and Parole Association during the organization's annual training conference August 13 in Indianapolis.
The award recognizes innovative and exemplary community corrections programs which serve to advance the knowledge, effectiveness, stewardship and integrity of the criminal justice system.
Georgia's Probation Division received the award for its innovative "Re-engineering Probation Supervision - Georgia's Exceptional Model 10-Step Framework." The Framework, implemented in 2009, has decisively redefined and redesigned felony probation supervision within Georgia.

"I am very proud of our Division of Probation Operations," said Commissioner Brian Owens. "They worked extremely hard on making the 10-Step Framework for Probation Operations a reality. Receiving the President's Award from APPA validates the Division's groundbreaking work in Probation."
"I am extremely proud of all of the Probation Officers in Georgia for their work in implementing our new model."
-Stan Cooper
Director of Probation Operations

The 10-Step Framework was developed out of a concept to plan, implement and sustain the exceptional statewide felony probation operations in the nation. It leverages "best practices"--including strategies, methods, interventions, partnerships and technology both internally and externally.
A total of 10 steps were developed shaping the overall Mission and Vision of Probation Operations. These steps were implemented and vetted by Process Action Teams with the end state vision being significantly enhanced public safety and a continuing practice of sound public stewardship.
The Framework includes sorting offenders by risk, in order to focus the Division's finite and limited resources on the higher risk offender popula-

tion. It utilizes technologies to improve probation supervision effectiveness and efficiency and establishes a swift, certain and proportionate sentencing model that incorporates accountability and specialty courts.
"The 10-Step Framework has changed how we manage offenders," said Director of Probation Operations Stan Cooper. "Our team worked very hard to implement the program. I am extremely proud of all of the Probation Officers in Georgia for their work in implementing our new model. It is truly gratifying for APPA to recognize our staff's efforts."
Please visit the our YouTube page for a video on Probation through the decades:
youtube.com/user/gacorrections

L to R: Director Stan Cooper, Deputy Director Mark Morris, PO Joey Ward, PO John Car- American Probation and Parole Association President Scott Taylor (left) presents GDC

roll, Chief PO Kimberly Persley, FOM Marcia McIntyre and Deputy Director Mike Kraft

Director of Probation Operations Stan Cooper with the President's Award.

Did You Know...Walker Faith & Character Based Prison is the first male facility in the state to implement a Children's Center.

GDC Attends National RSAT Conference

Contributed by Chandra Fussell, Program Manager of Substance Abuse Services and Risk Reduction Services

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), in conjunction with partners at Advocates for Human Potential (AHP), AdCare and Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC) sponsored the first annual Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Conference in Chicago, July 20-21. The theme of the conference was Empowering Practioners to Improve Client Outcomes: Employing What Works to Improve RSAT Delivery.

"There was much discussion about the future of RSAT programming which included where they should be headed, the best ways to get there, and the types of assistance offered by BJA's consortium of training and technical assistance," said Program Manager Fussell.
GDC has 12 programs statewide with a total of 3,422 offenders in the program and of the 12 programs, two are integrated treatment facilities.

GDC has 12 programs statewide with a total of 3,422 offenders in the program and of the 12 programs, two are integrated treatment
facilities.
Chandra S. Fussell, M.A., Program
Manager of Substance Abuse Services
and Risk Reduction Services, repre-
sented the Department. Crystal Crews

Chandra S. Fussell, Substance Abuse Program Manager, attends the National RSAT Conference in Chicago.

from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) also attended the event. The CJCC is the state administrative agency for federal RSAT funds. The conference was well attended with representatives from 50 states and three territories across the country including Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and

Hawaii. The conference offered an opportunity for RSAT officials and practioners to meet and discuss various evidence-based models for aftercare, co-occurring disorders and many other issues identified in RSAT programs over the last year.

For more information, please visit the RSAT Training and Technical Assistance website at: http://www.rsat-tta.com.
This site provides interactive information and an opportunity to share information with other professionals. It also allows you to receive Continuing Educational Units and the latest evidence-based curricula in RSAT, Trauma and Co-Occurring Disorders.

Children's Center at Walker Faith & Character Based Prison Opens

Walker Faith and Character Based (FCB) Prison is definitely leading the way in being Georgia's first. Walker was the first FCB prison in the state and now it will be the first male prison to house a Children's Center. On June 21, the Children's Center Open House was held to celebrate this accomplishment. Board of Corrections Member Dr. Henrie Treadwell was the guest speaker at the open house.
A Children's Center program allows the men to spend one-on-one time with their children; ages 0-12. Each volunteer participant goes through a screening process to see if they are appropriate for the program. If selected, the offender will then be enrolled in a parenting class. Once they have completed half of the classes, then their children will come to visit them once a month in the Children's Center.
State Offices South at Tift Col-

Contributed by Lisa Haughey, Reentry Coordinator lege sponsored successful a book drive for this program. The employees rallied together and collected more than 2,148 children's books that would be donated to the Walker's Children Center.

The contributions from the Tift Campus employees will benefit the children as well as the inmates. The children will have an opportunity to bond with their parent whether it is through learning to read or hearing their dad read to them.

Walker program inmates pose with Reentry Coordinator Lisa Haughey (left), Board Member Dr. Henrie Treadwell, Deputy Warden of C&T Jeanie Kasper, and Reentry Director A.J. Sabree

While the men will have full responsibility for the care of the child during the designated time slot, they will be under supervision. Activities will include reading, making lunch together, feedings, diaper changing and all other activities associated with childcare. The program will last for six months.

Five men started classes on August 29.

Mural painted by inmates at Children's Center to provide a happy environment.

2012 Georgia Probation Association Summer Conference

The Georgia Probation Association held its 55th Annual Summer Training Conference August 22-24 on Jekyll Island.
More than 250 attendees received Basic Probation/ Parole Officer and distracted driving training.
John Heinen, Inspector for the Georgia Bureau of

Investigation, delivered a keynote address on generational leadership. Other guest speakers included Board of Corrections Members Tommy Rouse, Rose Williams and Wayne Dasher. Speakers from the Department included Commissioner Brian Owens, Assistant Commissioner Timothy C. Ward as well as other Executive

Management staff.
On August 24th, an awards ceremony was held to honor deserving staff. Commissioner Owens presented Commissioner's Coins to staff for their contributions and involvement in the 10Step Framework Initiative. Commissioner Owens received a surprise during

the Summer Conference when he was awarded the 23rd Annual Lee Broome Memorial Award for Excellence. The award is presented for excellence related to outstanding performance, meaningful quality improvements to the Probation Division and involvement in community programs.

Awawrd Recipients

Lee Broome Memorial Award Commissioner Brian Owens

GPA Child/Spouse Scholarship IPS Officer Kristen Perrine

Joe Williams GPA Scholarship Hearing Officer Kathryn Bass

GPA Impact PO Tommie F. Terrell

Commissioner Brian Owens is presented the Lee Broome Memorial Award. Asst. Commissioner Timothy Ward, CPO Mike Sutton, Dir. of Probation Operations Stan Cooper, Commissioner Brian Owens, Dir. of Facilities Operations Randy Tillman, GPA President Scott Mullis and Office of Investigations & Compliance Director Ricky Myrick.

Commissioner's Coins 10-Step Framework

Stan Cooper, Director of PO

Jay Sanders, Special Assistant

Cliff Hartley, Field Services Manager

Peggy Elliott, Retired CPO

Kathryn Bass, Hearing Officer

Mark Morris, Deputy Director

William Driver, FOM

Marissa Viverito, Atlanta CIP

Anthony Rutland, Atlanta CIP

Georg Trexler, Brunswick JC

Dawn Corbin, Gwinnett JC

Ryan Baird, Gwinnett JC

Terra Cochran, Southwestern JC

Chief Probation Officer Mike Sutton presented IPS Officer Angel Perrine the GPA

Deonna Johnston, Towaliga JC

Child/Spouse Scholarship on behalf of her daugther, Kristen, who was this year's

recipient.

GDC Feature Photos of the Month

ASMP Donates School Supplies!

BurrussHCaoprrpeyc2ti6otnhaAl nTnraivinerinsagrCyenter!

Calendar of Events
Thursday, September 6 Board of Corrections Meeting
Tuesday, September 11 Thomasville DRC
Commencement Ceremony
Tuesday, September 13 Board of Public Safety Meeting
Monday, September 17 GDC Roll-up "Day in Central Office"
September 18 - 19 In-Service Training at SOS at Tift College
Tuesday, September 18 Columbus DRC
Commencement Ceremony
Tuesday, September 25 Athens DRC
Commencement Ceremony
Wednesday, September 26 Law Enforcement
"Military Recruitment Day" at SOS at Tift College
Friday, September 28 Annual GDC Fire Arms
Competition at GD&CP Training Center

Special thanks to the staff at Augusta State Medical Prison. The personnel at the prison raised more than $1,000 to purchase school supplies for the students at Blythe Elementary School. Warden Dennis Brown presented the school supplies to the students and staff yesterday

Personnel took part in a birthday luncheon on Aug. 23. Retired CO Hardy Dumas (left), Multifunctional Officer Jerri Johnson, Deputy Warden of Security Bethrix Smith, Warden Angela Williams and Deputy Warden of Care & Treatment Patrice Hightower.

Rescued Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On August 29, Colwell Probation Detention Center and Tri-State Pet Rescue, Inc. celebrated its newly implemented Rescued program. The ceremony consisted of both a graduation and a ribbon cutting.
The Rescued program is a joint effort between the Colwell Probation Detention Center and the Tri-State Pet Rescue, Inc. to rescue dogs who would otherwise be euthanized, while provid-

ing a positive impact on the detainees.
The first graduating class from the Rescued program consisted of five detainees. These detainees learned skills in dog training and grooming. The program offers the detainees a specialized skill set they can use when they are released.
"This is a great program and I foresee the Department expanding this

program to additional facilities in the state. I am proud of all the efforts made to make this program a success," stated Commissioner Brian Owens.
The dogs were well trained and eager to show off their tricks to the crowd. Following graduation, the dogs are ready to be welcomed into loving homes.
Detainee and trainer Casey Crowe shared a poem at the end

of the ceremony which summa-
rized how he felt about being in-
volved in the Rescued program.
The things I teach you will help you fit in and hold up the standard of man's best friend. The things you teach, you'll never see but for this a better person I'll be.

Commissioner Owens and Superintendent Diane Hassett cut the Rescued ribbon.

Detainees play with Bentley and Dolly.

Cooper shows off his tricks to the crowd by fetching his ball.

Dolly with trainer.

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

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.