Impact Georgia, Jan. 2013

In This Issue
1 Operation Snowman
2Around the Perimeter with Jack Koon

Operation Snowman

Administration Division Attends a Statewide Business Conference
3Inaugural Wardens versus Chiefs Pistol Competition
Probation honored with Innovations Award
4 Images Across the State
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Director of Probation Operations Stan Cooper speaks to the task force during initial Operation Snowman meeting

Chief Probation Officer Keith Camp (right) with his team during APEX meeting at the Atlanta PD

On Dec. 11-13, the Department provided support to Atlanta Law Enforcement for Operation Snowman.
The Department's Probation Operations Division, Northwest Tact Squad and Phillips State Prison Tact Squad joined forces with the Atlanta Police Department, Parole and Fulton County Sheriff's Office.
The joint task force focused its efforts on six zones and four specialized teams in order to enhance safety and security of selected Atlanta locations targeting specific crimes.

probation warrants and heighten law enforcement presence.
"After three years of Operation Snowman, this operation continues to improve each year," said Field Operations Manager Sandra Thomas. "The Operation ran smoothly with no injuries to GDC, Parole or APD Officers during the three day operation."
Law Enforcement performed compliance checks on sex offenders, field contacts, parole checks, Rapid ID checks, served warrants and captured fugitives.

drug charges.
On Dec. 14, the operation concluded and netted a total of 86 arrests. Twenty-nine arrests were Probation, two were Parole and 55 were civilian arrests.
"I want to personally thank all GDC employees and law enforcement officers who participated in this successful operation," said Commissioner Brian Owens. "It is essential to work together to help clean up the streets of Georgia."

The objective of this operation was to serve 153 outstanding criminal and

Offenders were arrested for crimes ranging from burglary, domestic violence, to

Please submit articles and photos to Gwendolyn Hogan by January 24th.
Email: hogang00@dcor.state.ga.us

Program Development Consultant Torian Weldon (left) and CERT Officer Scott Dean (right)

Command Center - Day One

Did You Know..Facilities and Probation competed in the first Wardens v. Chief Pistol Competition!

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Around the Perimeter with Jack Koon

On Dec. 19, Public Relations & Information Specialist Dabney Weems sat down with the new Deputy Director of Facilities Administration/Support Staff Jack Koon to get to know a little more about our newest leader in Facilities Operations.
Q: Educational background. B.S. from Georgia College and State University and a MBA from National University
Q: Previous positions. Started with the Department as a Counselor in 1992. Held positions as Sr. Counselor, DW of Administration, Southwest Regional Business

Manager, Superintendent, Statewide Coordinator for Transitional/Diversion Centers and most recently Warden of Coastal State Prison.
Q: Why did you want to pursue a career in Corrections? My family worked in Corrections. My father was a Correctional Officer and my mother was a Warden's Secretary.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about working in Corrections? I feel like what I do matters.
Q: Proudest accomplishment. I married the right woman. I have a great wife and kids.

Q: What are some of your goals as Deputy Director of Facilities? Restructure the Administration and Support side of the Division to better respond to the needs of the field and to make us better at what we do. I'd also like to move toward longer range planning so that the Facilities Division stays ahead of changes in the Corrections field as a whole. Hopefully, we can then anticipate changing dynamics in prisons, budgets, staff, inmate populations and structure our people, processes and infrastructure to meet the challenges.
Q: What are some of the major challenges facing our facilities? Bed space management, staff turnover and violence.
Q: What do you look forward to most working in management? Being part of improving operations
Q: What is your favorite quote? Mark 12: 29-31 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: `Hear, O' Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
Q: Do you have any hobbies? Play the guitar, refinish furniture, golf, tennis and video games

Q: What is your favorite movie? Forrest Gump
Q: What music/artists are on your iPod? Nickleback, Coldplay, AC/DC, Talking Heads, Jars of Clay, Indelible Grace
Q: What was the first concert you attended? AC/DC
Q: What was the first record you owned? "Groovy Grubworm" by Harlow Wilcox and the Oakies on 45.
Q: What's your favorite website? YouTube and Facebook
Q: What's your favorite app? GarageBand
Q: What's your favorite book? "The Call" by Os Guinness and "Desiring God" by John Piper
Q: If you could be a fictional character, which one would it be and why? Superman, so I can fly.
Q: Do you have a celebrity look-alike? I have been told by my wife and others that I look like Gonzo the Muppet.

Administration Division Attends Statewide Business Conference

GDC Staff at the Statewide Business Conference
On Dec. 4-5, the Administration Division hosted a Statewide Business Conference at Unicoi State Park and Lodge in Helen, GA.
More than 190 participants, primarily field business office personnel, attended the event.
The purpose of the Conference was for Administration Division updates. Topics included the following:
Ken Nash from Budget gave an update and overview of the agency's budget process and status.

Contributed by Tammy Sexton, Business Management Manager
Norman Wilson from Georgia Correctional Industries spoke about the new furniture line they offer.

Jackson Defore and Deanna Crews from Financial Services gave an overview of the new Concur software we are now using for travel reimbursements.

GDC Staff at the Statewide Business Conference

Marcia Williams, Ute Shepherd and Chuck Smith from Purchasing gave an overview on the new purchasing limits and making sure we get the proper quotes needed.

Keith Abrams from OIT gave an update on the email transition from GroupWise to Outlook.

Stan Hall and Joe Davis spoke to the group and explained the new process for requesting bond funds from ECS for projects in the field.

Denise Forrester from Fleet spoke about new vehicle purchases, accident reporting and Automotive Resources International.
Dan Sumner with Care & Custody spoke about the new C&C module that will be in Scribe and how CARES will no longer be in use. Sharon Luckett from Financial Services gave HIM and Financial updates on PeopleSoft.

Kristine Pham and Bethany Whetzel from Legal spoke to the group and explained how the Official Code of Georgia concerning the Employee Benefit Accounts is to be applied.
"My staff and I would like to extend our appreciation on a job well-done with the conference this week," Deputy Warden of Administration (DWA) Jamie Clark of Johnson State Prison. "In the days of having to do more for

less it is difficult to keep employees morale up and events like this go a long way. I think it was very important to include the paraprofessionals and first line staff."
"I left armed with some very good information, more understanding and the knowledge that we have solid support," said DWA Katrina Hagan of Coastal State Prison. "More importantly, we realize that we do not need to fear asking for those things that we need. The morale boost alone was priceless."
"Great job on the conference, we really enjoyed it," said Business Manager Shirley Kilgore of Georgia SP.
"I got alot of useful information from the meeting along with seeing people I had not seen in a long time," said Business Manager Geronda Nall of Bacon Probation Detention Center.
"The conference had alot of great information and was very organized."said DWA Beth Ethridge of Dodge SP.

Inaugural Wardens versus Chiefs Pistol Competition

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Calendar Events
Thursday, January 3 Board of Corrections
Meeting

Thursday, January 10 Statewide Probation Chiefs Meeting

L to R: Asst. Commissioner Ward, Director of Probation Operations Cooper, Commissioner Owens and Asst. Commissioner Dozier

L to R: Director of Facilities Operations Tillman, winner of challenge against Director of Probation Operations Cooper

L to R: Director of Facilities Operations Randy K. Tillman, Asst. Commissioner Timothy C. Ward, GDCP Warden Carl Humphrey, Commissioner Brian Owens and Asst. Commis-

sioner Gregory C. Dozier

On Dec. 12, the Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Training Center was host to the inaugural Wardens Versus Chiefs Pistol Competition.
There were 57 Probation Participants and 33 Facility Operations Participants.
Division Directors, Assistant Division Directors, Field Operations Managers, Wardens and Chiefs were the shooters.
Probation Operations won the overall average edging out Facilities Operations by less than one tenth of a point. Director of Probation Operations Stan Cooper

accepted the trophy which was presented by Commissioner Brian Owens and Asst. Commissioners Timothy C. Ward and Gregory C. Dozier.
The Top Gun award went to Facilities own Warden Carl Humphrey of Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Prison. Commissioner Owens, Asst. Commissioner Ward and Dozier and Director of Facilities Operations Randy K. Tillman presented Warden Humphrey with the award.
In a close head to head competition Director of Facilities Tillman beat Director of Probation Cooper by one-tenth of a point.

The Wardens v. Chiefs Pistol Competition will become a yearly event taking place in the Fall.
Congratulations to all the winners!

Tuesday, January 15 Tifton DRC Graduation
Ceremony
Tuesday, January 22 Quarterly Awards Ceremony
Tuesday, January 29 Metro DRC
Graduation Ceremony

Probation Operations Honored with Innovations Award

youtube.com/user/ GACorrections

Manager Field Services Cliff Hartley (center) and Asst. to Probation Director Jay Sanders (second from right) are

2012 Innovations Award

presented with the 2012 Innovations Award from the Council on State Governments

The Council of State Governments hosted its 2012 National Conference from Nov. 30-Dec. 3 in Austin, Texas.
The conference provided state leaders

On Dec. 1, Manager Field Services Cliff Hartley and Assistant to Probation Director Jay Sanders accepted the Innovations Award from the Council of State Governments for the Department's

est risk probation population while "freeing-up" officer resources to most effectively manage higher risk offenders and provide incentive for probation behavioral compliance.

with a robust agenda structured to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing state governments such as education, health care and criminal justice reform.

Probation Reporting Contact Center (PRCC) initiative.
The PRCC efficiently monitors the low-

For more information on PRCC, visit: http://www.dcor.state.ga.us/NewsRoom/ VideoLibrary/Video_PRCC.htm

facebook.com/georgiacorrections GA_Corrections

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Images Across The State - Spreading Holiday Cheer

Wilcox State Prison staff participated in the Christmas Star program to assist Wilcox County Department of Family and Child
Services to help gather gifts for children of Wilcox County.

Johnson State Prison Faith & Character Based program participated in a Christmas Project for Wrightsville Manor Nursing Home and the retirement center. Staff gave out Christmas Cards and trinket boxes
filled with candy made by the dorm.

On Dec. 17, Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Prison staff delivered blankets to Westbury Nursing Home in Jackson and
Hilltop Nursing Home in Forsyth.

Rogers State Prison staff held a Christmas Drive and adopted COII Lawrence Davis and his family. Officer Davis has been out of work for an extended period of time due to an ongoing illness. He and his wife (COII Kendra Davis of GSP) have two children (3 months & 6 years old). Staff held several fundraisers which included a chicken dinner plate sale, Bake Sale, Food Drive and held a drawing for several bags that were designed and created by Ms. Jesse Sapp. In addition, many cash donations were received by staff. We were very excited to present Officer Davis $2,100 in cash and
checks as well as a "FREE Oil Change" from Georgia Tire!

The Cherokee, Blue Ridge, and Cobb circuits participated in Shop with a Cop on Dec. 15 at the Wal-Mart in Cartersville. Over 338 children were placed with officers who helped them shop for $100 worth of clothing and $50 of items of their
choice.

Ware State Prison worked in conjunction with Salvation Army, Magnolia House and Department of Children Services to provide toys (handmade
by the woodshop) to children for the Christmas Holidays.

Every year, Lee State Prison has a Three Day Holiday Feast. Each Day, different departments team up and feed all the staff. On Day One, Care & Treatment provided the food. On Day Two, Administration and the Warden's Office provided
the food. On Day Three, Security provided the food.

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