Impact Georgia, 2013 July

July 2013 Newsletter

In This Issue
1 Newly Appointed Probation Operations Employees

Newly Appointed Probation Operations Employees

2 Delivery of New Vehicles for Facilities Operations

Facility Memorial for Officer Larry Stell

L to R: Dir. of Probation Operations Kraft, CPO Christy Thomas L to R: Dir. of Probation Operations Kraft, CPO Marnesha Oliver L to R: Dir. of Probation Operations Kraft, CPO Cindy Murphy

and Asst. Commissioner Ward

and Asst. Commissioner Ward

and Asst. Commissioner Ward

Americus Job Fair for Ex-Offenders
3 BASICS Graduation at Macon Transitional Center

First Annual Kids Fishing Event at State Offices South at Tift College

L to R: Dir. of Probation Operations Kraft, CPO Lance Karl and L to R: Dir. of Probation Operations Kraft, CPO Jasmin Hill and L to R: Dir. of Probation Operations Kraft, CPO Rob Gross and

Asst. Commissioner Ward

Asst. Commissioner Ward

Asst. Commissioner Ward

4Audits and Compliance Unit Honors Hancock State Prison Staff

Equine Rescue Program Offenders Participate in Horse Auction
Have a great story idea?
Please submit articles and photos to Gwendolyn Hogan by July 18.
Email: hogang00@dcor.state.ga.us

L to R: Dir. of Probation Operations Kraft, CPO Christina Parker and Asst. Commissioner Ward

L to R: Dir. of Probation Operations Kraft, CPO Susan Phillips L to R: Dir. of Probation Operations Kraft, Deputy Director of

and Asst. Commissioner Ward

Probation Operations McIntyre and Asst. Commissioner Ward

On June 18 at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Training Complex, Assistant Commissioner Timothy C. Ward and Director of Probation Operations Mike Kraft presented badges to newly appointed employees.
Congratulations to the following: Marcia McIntyre Deputy Director of Probation Operations

Susan Phillips Northwest Field Operations Manager
Christina Parker Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit
Jasmin Hill Rockdale Judicial Circuit
Cindy Murphy Western Judicial Circuit

Marnesha Oliver Paulding Judicial Circuit
Christy Thomas Douglas Judicial Circuit
Lance Karl Appalachian Judicial Circuit
Rob Gross Middle Judicial Circuit

Did You Know...The Department will be hosting a Military Job Fair in Augusta on July 30!

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Delivery Ceremony of New Vehicles for Facilities Operations
Contributed by Grace Atchison, Developmental Assignment, Facilities Operations

L to R: Commissioner Brian Owens, Deputy Director Jack Koon, Division Director Becky East, facility representatives and Asst. Commissioner Tim Ward

Division Director Becky East hands off two keys to Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Prison Officers

On June 12, Facilities Operations distributed 13 of 153 new vehicles to facility drivers across the state of Georgia.
Vehicles were purchased, by bond funds, to reduce the number of vehicles with over 200,000 miles.
"Because we went several years without being able to replace any vehicles, the need was fairly significant," said

Division Director Becky East.
The new vehicles purchased for Facilities Operations include trucks, minivans, passenger vans and sedans.
A photo-op was conducted on the Historic Circle at State Offices South at Tift Campus with Executive Staff to include Commissioner Brian Owens, Assistant Commissioner, Chief of Operations,

Timothy C. Ward, Business Operations Director, Becky East and Deputy Facilities Operations Director, Jack Koon.
All vehicles have been delivered to all state facilities across Georgia as of June 28.

Facility Memorial for Officer Larry Stell

Americus Job Fair for Ex-Offenders
Contributed by William "Chris" Hall, Acting Americus Chief Probation Officer

L to R: Probation Officer Tyler Denham, Chief Parole Officer Jody Dillard, Parole Officer Mike Reeves, TOPPSTEP Coordinator Dianna Gonzalez and Probation Officer Gabe Jacobs

On June 19, Telfair State Prison honored Officer Larry Stell with a Memorial Wall in the front lobby of the facility.
Nearly 100 family, friends and co-workers were present to view the unveiling of the memorial wall.
Thank you to all who came out in honor of Officer Larry Stell.

On May 30, the Americus Parole Office and Probation Office participated in a career expo at South Georgia Technical College.
The expo was sponsored by the Americus Career Center and Americus Area Employer Committee.
Approximately 35 businesses were represented and 135 job seekers attended.

Chief Parole Officer Jody Dillard worked the registration desk along side Probation. Parole Officer Mike Reeves and Probation Officers Tyler Denham and Gabe Jacobs answered questions of potential employees and handed out flyers.
Regional TOPPSTEP Coordinator Dianna Gonzalez established many contacts with local employers and stressed the benefits of employing offenders.

End of Watch - October 11, 2012.

Commissioner Brian Owens, Asst. Commissioners Greg Cozier and Tim Ward, Warden William Danforth, wife of Officer Stell and co-workers, family and friends

3 First Annual Kids Fishing Event at State Offices South at Tift College Contributed by Travis Kennedy, Director of Financial Services

Calendar Events
Thursday, July 4 HOLIDAY

Division Director Becky East, Director of ECS Stan Hall, Director of Fi- Age 7 and under fisher nancial Services Travis Kennedy and Administration staff

Superintendent of Campus Operations Tim Williams presenting door prizes

On June 22, the Department held its First Annual Kids Fishing event, with a successful turnout of over 120 children and parents.
The event was open to children 15 years old and younger.
During Saturday's event, children focused their efforts on catching catfish. The catfish was donated by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). DNR donated over 800 catfish, bream and bass in February.
During the event, children caught between 300-400 catfish.

Prizes, a rod and reel combo set, were awarded to three children in each age group.
Ages 7 & under 1st - Evan Rogers 2nd - Thomas Naber 3rd - Zach Presley
Ages 8-11 1st - Dylan Smith 2nd - Autumn Hammond 3rd - Calvin Brown
Ages 12-15 1st - Myles Johnson 2nd - Dalton Fogarty

3rd - Shelton Minor
Children also received door prizes to include six rod and reel combos, five tackleboxes, three tacklepacks and 22 gift cards to Walmart, I-Tunes and Game Stop. Additionally, every participant received a goody bag full of snacks and fish-themed knick-knacks.
"We look forward to another successful experience next year," said Director of Financial Services Travis Kennedy.

BASICS Graduation at Macon Transitional Center

Contributed by Meosha Smith, Superintendent

Thursday, July 11 Board of Public Safety
& GPAI Annual Training
Monday, July 15 GDC Roll-Up
"Day in Central Office"
Tuesday, July 23 Quarterly Awards
Ceremony
Tuesday, July 30 Military Job Fair Fort Gordon, Augusta

BASICS graduating class at Macon Transitional Center

Instructor Alex Hambersham presenting certificate to graduate

Spreading the Wings of Our Minds was the motto for the Bar Association Support to Improve Correctional Services (BASICS) World of Works graduation ceremony held on May 22 at the Macon Transitional Center (TC).
Amongst family and friends who attended the ceremony, the State Bar of Georgia President Robin Frazer Clark, Executive Director Cliff Brashier, Attorney Seth Kirschenbaum (BASICS Committee Chairman), BASICS Committee member and Program Director Ed Menifee, Instructor Alex Hambersham,

Executive Director of the Georgia Bar Foundation C. Len Horton, Lawyers Foundation of Georgia, Superintendent Meosha S. Smith, Central State Prison Warden Ahmed Holt and Macon TC staff.
BASICS is an offender rehabilitation program sponsored by the BASICS Committee of the State Bar of Georgia. BASICS assists program participants in being able to stay out of jail once they are released by providing effective instruction, guidance and employability counseling.

The program's mission is to aid and steer inmates in the direction of self rehabilitation.
During classes, staff at Macon TC assisted with developing career, educational and/or work plans, preparing resumes, setting goals and teaching interviewing techniques.
Upon release, staff will assist with job research, applying for colleges or vocational schools, completing or changing personal action plans, as well as developing financial plans.

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Audits and Compliance Honors Hancock State Prison Staff

On June 11-12, the Compliance Unit conducted a Comprehensive Audit at Hancock State Prison.

Contributed by Kevin Roberts, Regional Operations Coordinator

Three individuals and one group was recognized for their exceptional performance.

Inmate Barber Shop Officer Tia Williams scored a 100 percent in her area. Officer Williams takes ownership in her responsibilities and is very organized.

Lieutenant Calpurnia Washington, who assists in the Back gate/Portal Security area and with the CellSense Device, Deputy Director of Audits and Compliance Antoine Caldwell with Medical Department staff scored a 100 percent. She was very professional and the staff is very knowledgeable in the operation of these areas.

L to R: Deputy Dir. of Audits and Compliance Caldwell, Marilyn French, Medical Services Administrator Sharon Sparks, Lisa Thomas and Warden Glen Johnson

Health Services Administrator Sharon Sparks along with medical team members Marilyn French and Lisa Thomas accepted an award on behalf of all medical staff. The team has been working together for years with very little turnover and they work extremely well together.

The facility's Medical Department

won the Team award. The department

scored a 97 percent overall with high

L to R: Deputy Dir. of Audits and Compliance Caldwell, Lt. Calpurnia Washington and Warden Glen Johnson

L to R: Deputy Dir. of Audits and Compliance Caldwell, Officer Tia Williams and Warden Glen Johnson

scores in all fifteen areas.

Equine Rescue Program Offenders Participate in Horse Auction

Contributed by Belinda Davis, Warden of Pulaski State Prison

L to R: Training Instructor Monica Lazaurs, offender detail and Warden Belinda Davis

Offender showing horse during auction

Offender preparing horse for auction

Offender preparing horse for auction

On June 8, offenders from the Pulaski State Prison Equine Rescue Program attended the Department of Agriculture horse auction in Mansfield.
All horses were trained and treated by

the Equine Program offender detail.
Offenders of the program will receive a Veterinary Assistant/Animal Healthcare credit certificate from Middle Georgia Technical College.

Proceeds from the sale will be utilized to purchase items needed for the Equine Program.
For more information on this program, please visit our website at:

http://www.dcor.state.ga.us/Research/ Fact_Sheets/Info_Sheets_Animal_Programs_2013.pdf. Tune in to 41NBC, http://www.41nbc.com/, on July 5 for a feature story on the Equine Rescue Program!

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
Contributors Rachad Hollis, Public Relations & Information Specialist
Elizabeth Pierotti, Summer Intern