June 2013 Newsletter In This Issue 1 9th Annual Awards Ceremony Georgia Public Safety Memorial Ceremony 9th Annual Awards Ceremony 2 50 Years of Fire Services Graduations at Appling and West Central On May 21, the Department recognized employees who had excelled in their chosen field and had shown dedication and service in 2012. Correctional Officer of the Year John Koss, Rogers SP Probation Officer of the Year Maegon Tyree, Augusta Probation Office The James Henderson Award Larry Stell (posthumously), Telfair SP The Tiffany Bishop Horizon Award Antwan Walker, Brunswick Probation Office Quarterly Field Officer Training Adjutant General Jim Butterworth of the Georgia National Guard was the ceremony's keynote speaker. Facilities Supervisor of the Year Betty Bailey-Dean, Hays SP Legacy Award General James E. Donald, State Board of Pardons & Parole, former GDC Commissioner Criminal Justice Symposium 14th Annual Nursing Showcase 3 Recognition of Retirees 4GDC Officer Down Memorial Dedication Audits and Compliance Unit Honors Employees Congratulations to the following recipients: Volunteers of the Year Dottie Benson, Joseph Davis, Elmer Walker, Scott Grimes, Tiffany Lovell, Dr. William Mitchell, Scott Nanney, Kathy Rich, Carol Shannon, Lisa & Brad Waggoner, Michael Sapp and Doyle Yawn Faith Based Contributors of the Year Rock Point Church Partner Agencies of the Year Baldwin Accountability Treatment Court Collaborative, Albany Police/Gang Task Force Toccoa GA Dept. of Labor, GA State Patrol Peer Support Team, GA Correctional Healthcare and Johnson County Probate Office Probation Supervisor of the Year Ashley Christopher, Marietta Probation Office Customer Service Champion Award Carlotta Ficklin, Augusta Transitional Center Headquarters Employee of the Year Jay Sanders, Probation Operations Employee of the Year John Harper, GD&CP Individual Fitness Award Ronnie Simmons, Albany Probation Office The Cynthia Floyd Award Brandon Henderson, Rome Probation Office Corporate Sponsor of the Year Mr. B's IGA and Tri-State Pet Rescue, Inc. The Bobby Franklin Award Gordon Spears, Lee Arrendale SP Facility Fitness Award Baldwin SP Facility of the Year Lee Arrendale SP Center of the Year Colwell PDC Probation Circuit of the Year Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit County Facility of the Year Effingham County Prison Awards were presented by Commissioner Brian Owens and Assistant Commissioners Timothy C. Ward and Gregory C. Dozier. Georgia Public Safety Memorial Ceremony Have a great story idea? Please submit articles and photos to Gwendolyn Hogan by June 20. Email: hogang00@dcor.state.ga.us On May 20, the Georgia Public Safety Memorial Ceremony was held at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. Left Photo: Memorial at GPSTC Center Photo: Governor Deal presenting Commissioner Owens with plaque for Officer Larry Stell Right Photo: Officer Larry Stell name etched into Memorial Wall at GPSTC Officer Larry Stell was honored for his dedication and service to the state of Georgia. Commissioner Brian Owens accepted a plaque on behalf of Officer Stell. The name of Larry Stell along with 11 other law enforcement men and women were added to the Memorial Wall for this years dedication. Did You Know...The Department's Fire Services Program celebrated 50 Years of Service! 2 50 Years of Fire Services L to R: Fire Chief of Long County Richard Truman L to R: Fire Chiefs Glynn Pittman, Don Shugart, Larry Brown, L to R: Commissioner Owens, Lee Arrendale Fire Chief Tam- Fire Chiefs and Fire Services team (and Chief Sylvester Hall Jessica Z. Maher and Sylvester Hall my Ayers and female firefighter crew On May 22, the Department celebrated 50 years of Fire Services at Station #1 at Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto. Guest speakers included Lauren `Bubba' McDonald who assisted with the amendment of O.C.G.A. Title 25 which permits municipalities to hire former in- within the GDC program. During the celebration, wife of Chief Buddy Brooks and Chief Richard Tru- will be added to the Georgia Public Safety Memorial Wall in Forsyth during the 2014 Georgia Public Safety Memorial Ceremony. The inmate firefighter program was established in 1963 by Buddy Brooks at the Georgia Industrial Institute, now Lee Arrendae State Prison. mates who have completed the GDC firefighter program; and Fire Chief Richard Truman of Long County Fire Department who served as a firefighter man were presented with plaques. Inmate William Allen Satterfield, the only inmate firefighter to die in the line of duty in 1984, was remembered and Learn more about the program here: http://bit.ly/10vMOzH Graduations at Appling and West Central Quarterly Field Training Officer Training Contributed by Superintendents Edd Sanders and Jeffery Pearce Contributed by Gary Bell, Program Development Consultant Graduates at West Central ITF On May 15-16, West Central and Appling Integrated Treatment Facilities (ITF) held the program's first graduations. Appling ITF had 11 graduates and West Central ITF had six graduates receive their certificates of completion from the program. Asst. Commissioner Tim Ward at Appling ITF graduation Appling ITF is a male facility that assists with the reduction of chronic recidivism of substance abuse and crime by meeting the dual diagnosis needs of probationers. West Central ITF is a female facility for probation violators with co-occurring conditions who need mental health and substance abuse treatment. Field Training Officers at the Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Training Complex for FTO Training On April 31, the first Probation Field Training Officer (FTO) Quarterly training was hosted at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Training complex in Jackson. Thirty-one officers were present out of the 49 Judicial Circuits. Officers received training on leadership and retention, radio communication and the use of force model. In addition, they were trained and certified as Physical Fitness Coordinators and on the AlcoSensor. A breakout session was conducted where team leaders evaluated and received feedback from the field in order to enhance and improve the program. Criminal Justice Symposium 14th Annual Nursing Showcase Contributed by Pamela Gould, Augusta Chief Probation Officer In honor of National Police Week, a Criminal Justice Symposium and Networking Forum was held for students and the public on May 13. Augusta State Medical Prison Warden Stan Shepard and Augusta Judicial Circuit Chief Probation Officer Pam Gould served on a panel for the University of Phoenix's College of Criminal Justice and Security. Contributed by Stan Shepard, Augusta State Medical Prison case is held annually to honor registered nurses for their contributions to healthcare in CSRA. Nurses are nominated by peers based on criteria which reflects going above and beyond call of duty. Two nominees at Augusta State Medical Prison (ASMP) were Beckye Smith, RN-Infection Control Nurse and Charlene Martin, RN-Director of Nursing. Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree and Juvenile Judge Doug Flanagan joined the panel. The panel answered questions on current criminal justice topics. L to R: Warden Shepard, CPO Gould, Sheriff Roundtree and L to R: Infectious Disease Nurse Beckye Smith, Warden Juvenile Judge Flanagan Stan Shepard and Director of Nursing Charlene Martin Beckye has over 35 years and Char- Issues discussed included gang activ- On May 3, the Georgia Nurses Asso- lene has over 16 years of experience. ity, victim's assistance, women in the ciation Central Savannah River Area Beckye has been with ASMP for 11 and criminal justice field and prison down- (CSRA) Chapter presented the 14th Charlene for seven years. sizing. Annual Nursing Showcase. The show- Recognition of Retirees Thank you Stan Cooper for your 28 years of dedicated service! On May 30, the Department held a retirement ceremony for Director of Probation Operations Stan Cooper. Picture Left: Commissioner Brian Owens (L) and Stan Cooper. Picture Right, L to R: Court of Appeals Judge Michael Boggs, Stan Cooper and Senator Jeff Mullis. 3 Commissioner Owens presents Stan Cooper with GDC Eagle Award Thank you Bob Plemons for your 13 years of dedicated service! Judge Boggs and Senator Mullis present Stan Cooper with Resolutions On May 10, the Department held a retirement ceremony for Assistant Director of Engineering and Construction Services/Legislative Liaison Bob Plemons. Left Photo, L to R: Senator Jack Hill, Bob Plemons, Senator Jeff Mullis and Representative Jay Neal. Picture Right, L to R: Asst. Commissioner Dozier, Commissioner Owens, Bob Plemons and Asst. Commissioner Ward. Senators Hill and Mullis and Representative Neal present Bob Plemons with Governor's Commendation and flag that was flown over the Capitol in honor of Bob. Commissioner Owens and Asst. Commissioners Dozier and Ward present Bob with the GDC Eagle Award. Calendar Events Thursday, June 6 Board of Corrections Meeting Thursday, June 13 Board of Public Safety Friday, June 14 GPA Golf Tournament Monday, June 17 GDC Roll-Up "Day in Central Office" Saturday, June 22 Kids Fishing Event at State Offices South Thursday, June 27 BCOT Graduation Thank you Dennis Brown Thank you Frank Teasley Thank you Darryll Hart for for your 34 years of for your 36 years of your 23 years of dedicated service! dedicated service! dedicated service! On May 1, the Department held a retirement ceremony for Augusta State Medical Prison Warden Dennis Brown. Pictured above, L to R: Dennis Brown, Asst. Commissioner Tim Ward, Deputy Director Johnny Sikes and Field Operations Manager Cynthia Nelson. On May 23, the Department held a retirement ceremony for Whitworth Women's Facility Warden Frank Teasley. Pictured above, L to R: Field Operations Manager Victor Walker, Deputy Director Jack Koon, Field Operations Manager Steve Upton and Frank Teasley. On May 22, the Department held a retirement ceremony for Wilcox State Prison Warden Darryll Hart. Pictured above, L to R: Deputy Director Jack Koon, Warden Darryll Hart, Deputy Director Johnny Sikes and Assistant Commissioner Timothy C. Ward. youtube.com/user/ GACorrections Thank you Stanley Arrington for your 31 years of dedicated service! On May 29, the Department held a retirement ceremony for Atlanta Transitional Center Superintendent Stanley Arrington. Pictured, L to R: Warden Kathy Seabolt, Stanley Arrington, Chaplain Charles Tolbert and James Doctor, GDC retiree. Thank you Anthony Washington for your 30 years of dedicated service! On May 23, the Department held a retirement ceremony for Rutledge State Prison Warden Anthony Washington. Thank you Michael Carlton for your 29 years of dedicated service! On May 30, the Department held a retirement ceremony for Employment Services Manager Michael Carlton. Pictured L to R: Michael Carlton and HR Director Patricia Smith. facebook.com/georgiacorrections GA_Corrections 4 GDC Officer Down Memorial Dedication Attendees after the dedication ceremony On May 29, the Department held an Officer Down Memorial Dedication outside of Roberts Chapel at State Offices South at Tift College. "Today we honor 27 individuals, who during the course of a century, from 1912 to 2012, lost their lives in the line of duty," said Commissioner Brian Owens at the opening of the ceremony. Commissioner Owens stated how the location of the memorial garden was fitting as with every graduating class of officers that leave Roberts Chapel, Memorial plaque L to R: DPS Commissioner Col. McDonough, GDC Commissioner Owens and Asst. Commissioners Dozier and Ward newly credentialed, they will be reminded by the names on the wall the gravity of their chosen profession. Commissioner Owens, Assistant Commissioners Timothy C. Ward and Gregory C. Dozier and Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety Colonel Mark W. McDonough unveiled the memorial plaque during the ceremony. Fallen GDC Officers Joseph Coody, 3/21/12 Clyde M. Greshma, 8/29/36 Z.B. West, 9/11/42 Clarence Cox, 11/8/43 Seaborn Ira Gilstrap, 4/1/57 Donald Boyd Smith, 3/29/70 Richard Harris Rogers, 3/29/70 James Melvin Haywood, 2/18/71 Frank Temples, 10/25/71 William Carl Branch, 8/2/76 Dan Harrison, 7/23/78 Ralph William Kimbro, 11/15/78 Frank C. Scott, 9/18/80 Wilson Morris Cartwright, 11/26/84 Lee Franklin Coxwell, 11/15/86 Walter Owen Fulford, 1/24/90 Eugene Rockett, 3/31/93 Stacy Rama Burnett, 6/20/96 Carlton R. Cherry, Sr., 2/27/97 Eddie Mack Davis, 2/27/97 Tommy Lee Goggins, 2/27/97 Wayne Griglen, 2/27/97 James Grover Henderson, 6/3/2002 Eugene T. "Tal" Groover, Jr., 7/9/2004 Jack Wesley Cannon, 8/20/2009 Tiffany Danelle Bishop, 8/31/2011 Larry Lee Stell, 10/11/2012 "Let the names on this wall remind us that often times safety comes with sacrifice," said Commissioner Owens. Audits and Compliance Unit Honors Employees Contributed by Kevin Roberts, Regional Operations Coordinator L to R: Warden Eric Sellers, FOM Cynthia Nelson, CO Con- Security staff during the comprehensive audit close out on May 15th stance Hamilton and Deputy Director of Audits and Compliance Antoine Caldwell Warden Eric Sellers, FOM Cynthia Nelson, CO Vanessa Brewton and Deputy Director of the Audits and Compliance Antoine Caldwell On May 13-15, the agency's Audit and Compliance Unit conducted a comprehensive audit at Phillips State Prison. After the completion of all audits, two individuals and one group are recognized for exceptional performance. Officer Constance Hamilton received one of the two individual awards. Officer Hamilton began her career with the department in 2010 and currently serves as the Tool Control Officer at Phillips. Her unit was in excellent condition with no critical findings. Officer Vanessa Brewton, whose primary responsiblity is Disciplinary Procedures, received the the second individual award. Officer Brewton began her career in 2000. It was found that the disciplinary process was in excellent condition. The group award went to the Security staff who had an overall score of 98 percent with no critical findings within the 18 topics that were audited. Congratulations Officer Hamilton, Officer Brewton and to the security staff for a job well done. 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 Rachad Hollis Contributor, Public Relations & Information Specialist