Impact Georgia, Mar. 2013

March 2013 Newsletter

In This Issue

New "Inside-Out" Prison Exchange Program at Smith State Prison

1 New Inside-Out Exchange Program at Smith State Prison
Northwest RSAT Graduation
2Bluebird Corporation Delivery Ceremony
MLK Drum Major Award presented to Metro DRC
320th Anniversary Celebration of Johnson State Prison's Fire Station
Recognition of Retirees
4 Images Across the State - Special Management Unit at GDCP

Contributed by Ruthie Moody, Secretary to Deputy Warden of Care & Treatment
of students from Georgia Southern University and a group of inmates who are serving a Life sentence at Smith State Prison to exchange ideas and perceptions about crime and justice, the criminal justice system, corrections and imprisonment. It is a chance for the students to gain a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system through the combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience achieved by weekly meetings extended throughout the semester.

Staff pictured with the program's first participants.
Smith State Prison has begun a new journey. It will be the first state prison in Georgia to take part in the "Inside-Out" Prison Exchange Program with Georgia Southern University (GSU). This program was introduced to the prison by Bryan Miller, Ph.D.; the Head of the Justice Studies Department at GSU. After contacting the facility, permission was granted by the Depart-

ment for the program to begin. Dr. Miller's class has left the collegiate halls of the university and is now being taught inside of a level five close security prison. The program held its first meeting on January 18th, of this year.
The "Inside-Out" Prison Exchange Program is an opportunity for a small group

There are 15 students from the university in the program and 17 inmates from Smith SP actively participating with them. The inmates involved are allowed the opportunity to explore their own views on these issues in an academic setting. This setting will create an environment that will facilitate the honest exchange of ideas in a dialogic format. And will provide each student an experiential setting to test and hone their theoretical understanding about various criminal justice and correctional issues.

Northwest RSAT Graduation

Probation Officer Sentencing Specialists Training
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Gwendolyn Hogan
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Graduating class at Northwest RSAT
Twelve Detainees received their GED certificate at a ceremony held at the

Contributed by Mark Abusaft, Superintendent
Northwest Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Center on Feb. 8.
Representatives from the Georgia Northwestern Technicial College of Adult Education and family and friends attended the ceremony.
Remarks and words of encourgement were provided by Nicole Duck and Brenda Harris of Georgia Northwestern Technicial College of Adult Education. Chaplain Jeremy Stroop providied spiritual guidance and Superintendent Mark Abusaft acknowledge Ms. Duck, Ms. Harris and Mr. Andrew Lee of the college for their commitment and determination for delivering the best education

program at Northwest RSAT Center.
During the ceremony, detainee Tarrant McDowell was acknowledged for receiving a perfect score of 800 in literature and detainee Joseph Gentile was acknowledged for receiving the highest overall average of 3240.
Family and friends had the opportunity to visit and celebrate this special occasion with their loved ones.
"I would like to send a speial thank you to the staff who planned and coordinated this event for Northwest RSAT," said Superintendent Abusaft.

Did You Know..Fire Station #14 at Johnson State Prison celebrated it's 20th Anniversary

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Blue Bird Corporation Delivery Ceremony

er, Brian Owens; Blue Bird President & CEO, Phil Horlock; Yancey Brothers Company Vice President, Eric Arnold as well as representatives from the Department, Blue Bird Corporation, Yancey Bus Sales and the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce.

buses will go into use immediately.
"Our partnership with Blue Bird Corporation is a new beginning for the Department," said Commissioner Owens.

These ten buses will replace buses in the Department's current Fleet that have more than 300,000 miles.

The buses will feature 50 passenger seating, fully-maximized exterior and interior storage with pass-through luggage compartments and a customized on-board lavatory.

L to R: CEO Phil Horlock and Commissioner Brian Owens
The Department is excited to announce the addition of 10 new 2014 All American buses to its fleet.
On Feb. 27, Blue Bird Corporation and Yancey Bus Sales and Service presented the Department with two of the ten buses at State Offices South at Tift College during a delivery ceremony in Forsyth.

2014 All American bus
"Georgia welcomes the new partnership," said Chief Operating Officer for the State of Georgia Bart Gobeil. "We need to always work together to ensure that we look at Georgia made products."
State and local elected officials were in attendance along with Georgia COO, Bart Gorbeil; Corrections Commission-

"Our buses are world class with the best fuel economy, best tight turn range, widest entrance door, best durability in crash testing and best roll over rate, " said Blue Bird CEO Horlock.
For more than 86 years Blue Bird has been making buses. Blue Bird's headquarters is located in Fort Valley Georgia and was founded in 1927. The new

MLK Drum Major Award Presented to Metro DRC

L to R: COO Gobeil, Commissioner Owens, CEO Horlock 2014 All American bus

Contributed by Kimberly R. Davis, M.Ed., Metro Atlanta Day Reporting Center Stakeholder Coordinator

Front Row L to R: :Susan Phillips, Coordinating Chief Probation Officer-Atlanta Judicial Circuit; Sandra Thomas, Northwest Probation Field Operations Manager; Veronica Cox, Chief Probaiton Officer, Atlanta Judicial Circuit; Back Row, L to R: Keith Camp, Chief Probation Officer, Atlanta Judicial Circuit; Rosalyn Davis, Statewide Day Reporting Center Manager; Neal Carney, Center Administrator, Metro Atlanta Day Reporting Center.

On January 29, the Metro Atlanta Day Reporting Center (DRC) received the MLK Drum Major for Service Award during the Seventh Commencement Ceremony by Hands On Atlanta (HOA).
This award was created and executed by President Barack Obama. The criteria states that this award "honors those volunteers who perform extraordinary everyday acts of service with reliability and commitment, but who seldom receive recognition".
The MLK Drum Major for Service Award has afforded Metro Atlanta DRC

the opportunity to address a variety of unmet critical needs in underserved, under developed areas such as the Historic West end area of Atlanta.
HOA is a not for profit organization that partners with the Office of President Obama to serve as the liaison for this award.
HOA has been an invaluable partner with Metro Atlanta DRC for almost three years and continues to provide noteworthy projects specifically tailored to court ordered participants.
Community Relations Manager

Genora Crooke was instrumental in the planning and implementation process of this award. Crooke continues to collaborate with Counselor Kimberly R. Davis, who also serves in the capacity of the center's Stakeholder Coordinator. Crooke was awarded Stakeholder of the Year for her many creative initiatives, her outstanding service, dedication and always going the extra mile to execute the mission of the Metro Atlanta DRC. Crooke said she was honored to share this moment in history with such an outstanding leadership team.
"As a team, we value and understand the importance of giving back without expecting anything in return and have instilled this belief to program participants through our Restorative Justice Initiatives and projects," said the Metro Atlanta DRC team.
Many projects totaling hundreds of exceptional service were performed by program participants and counselors Kimberly R. Davis and Kahala Russell.
A few highlights of those projects are as follows: preparation of meals to feed the hungry and homeless, warehouse assistance to prepare and ship books to children in Africa, gardening projects with the focus of assisting participants with the necessary skills to plant, weed, and harvest fruit and vegetables.
The West End Urban Garden Nursery always encourages those who assist with this project to return to learn additional skills and share in the har-

vest. Participants have also assisted with home renovations to ensure that women who would otherwise be homeless would be able to experience a life inside the walls of their home, and various MLK projects.
The feedback from organizations is that these participants always perform with professionalism, they are reliable, and they work hard and with pride!
President Obama wrote a personal letter to staff at the Metro Atlanta DRC. Below is an excerpt from the letter:
The President's Volunteer Service Award is presented by the Corporation for National and Community Service to Georgia Department of Corrections Metro Atlanta Day Reporting Center in recognition and appreciation of your commitment to strengthening our Nation and for making a difference through volunteer service.

3 20th Anniversary Celebration of Johnson State Prison's Fire Station
ceremony with a story of how firefighters saved his family from a house fire and with the Prayer of Firefighter.
Station No. 14 responds to an average of 125 calls per year and has automatic aid agreements with Laurens, Washington, Emanuel counties and all of Johnson county.

Calendar Events
Thursday, March 7 Board of Corrections
Meeting
Friday, March 8 Forsythia Festival Golf Tournament

Fire Chief Stan Garnto with inmate fire fighters
Community leaders, area fire chiefs and DOC officials came together on Feb. 28 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Johnson State Prison Firehouse.

our station," said Warden's Secretary Jan Martin, who is also a council member in Wrightsville. "These men risk their lives and we thank them."

Station #14 gear

Warden Jose Morales served as the master of ceremonies, recognizing those in attendance and thanking the fire firefighters for their service in the community.

During the ceremony Fire Chief Stan Garnto was presented with a plaque commemorating the anniversary by Assistant Director of Fire Services Larry Brown.

"The community is very appreciative of

Warden Morales concluded the
Recognition of Retirees

Attendees in the middle of the Firefighter's prayer

Katrinka Glass 30 Years of Service

A.J. Sabree 25 Years of Service

"Thank you for your selfless service to the great state of Georgia."

Tuesday-Sunday March 8-10
Forsythia Festival Sunday, March 17
Monday-Friday, March 18-22
Pre-Command College Monday, March 25
Red Cross Blood Drive Sunday, March 31

-Brian Owens

Commissioner

Friends and family gathered for the retirement ceremony of

More than a hundred family, friends, and co-workers gathered

Katrinka Glass on February 26, 2013. Katrinka was presented

for A.J. Sabree's retirement ceremony on February 26, 2013.

with an award for her 30 years of faithful & dedicated service,

A.J. was presented with an award for his 25 years of faithful &

an Alumni Award, a Leadership Award and Certificates of

dedicated service to the Department, an Alumni award, a Lead-

Exemplary Service plaques & an inscribed keepsake box

ership award and certificates of Exemplary Service plaques &

marking distinguished public service.

an inscribed keepsake box marking his distinguished public

February Retirees

service.

10+ Years of Service Marshall Hudson, Hancock SP CO Carol Ruth Gibbs, Wilcox SP CO Connie S. Haynes, Engineering Personnel Rep Cheryl M. Black, Valdosta SP Personnel Mgr Linda Brown, ASMP CO Clinton Hagan, Columbus TC CO Albert Kellum, Jr., McEver PDC CO Leanne Lanzetta, Cobb PC Secretary I Robert McClendon, Facilities Reg. Oper. Coord. Melvin Meeks, Telfair SP Trades Supervisior Stephen Moore, Smith SP CO Karen Lopez, Phillips SP Transfer Officer Marian Robley, Coastal SP Food Service Sup. Rhonda Segars, Baldwin SP CO Shelia Kay Smith, Rogers SP Accountant Lois E. Woods, Phillips SP Accountant

20+ Years of Service William Archer Bell, Public Safety Trn Instructor Karen Jett, OIC Superintendent Gwendolyn B. Clark, Probation Aide Pamela B. Bittick, DW Security/C&T Robert Reb Adams, Baldwin SP LT Cathie Ann Brantley, Telfair SP Dental Hygentist Malcolm V Cox, Dodge SP CO Walter N. Goode, Georgia SP CO Melvin B. Hinton, Metro TC Asst Superintendent Juanita Jinks, GSP CO Myron D. Jones, Atlanta PC Counselor Gerald Baxter Jordan, Inmate Construction CO Jerry Lawrence, Hancock SP CO Terry James Nickelson, Inmate Construction CO John Anthony Sellers, Dodge SP Superintendent William Shamblin Sr., Hays SP Public Safety Trn Instruct.

David Mason Spires, Telfair SP Security Chief Cathy Sumner, Inmate Classification Examiner James Thomas, Douglas PC PO I/II Corey Wells, Hays SP Transfer Officer William Wesley, Douglas PC Counselor Timothy Wesson, Hays SP CO
30+ Years of Service Kenneth Barnes, Macon TC Asst Superintendent Lindy Clark, Probation Opns Hearing Examiner I Jesse Durden, Jr., Smith TC Counselor James Earn, Tift Academy Craftsman Rose Hall, Valdosta SP CO Thomas Moore, Brunswick PC PO I/II Sandra Simmons, Baldwin SP CO Brenda Singleton, ASMP Behavioral Specialist

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4

Images Across the State - Special Management Unit Staff at GDCP

Sergeant John Wilkins and Officer Timothy Fenner operating the automated shower system in the GDCP Special Management Unit.

CERT members Sergeant Andrew Russo and Officer Ricky Parks of GDCP Special Management Unit conducting daily shakedowns.

SMU Clerk Britney Hall, Officer Sarah Barber and Unit Manager James McMillan compiling the monthly
CompStat Report for the Special Management Unit.

Probation Officer Sentencing Specialist Training

Contributed by Cliff Hartley, Probation Management Specialist and Mark Morris, Deputy Director of Probation
ed the Probation Operations' POSS In-Service Training at Middle Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins on Feb. 19.

Group photo of all PO Sentencing Specialist attendees
In step with the Probation Operations' award winning 10-Step Framework Initiative, select Probation Officers statewide have been assigned as Probation Officer Sentencing Specialists (POSS).
Using their experience, training and customer service skills these officers serve the Department as liaisons to

POSS officers participating in a training exercise

ensure seamless professional relationships continue between GDC, the Courts, District Attorneys, Georgia's Sheriffs, Pardons and Paroles and other stakeholders - internal and external to law enforcement.
It is the responsibility of the POSS officers to provide their customers with timely information relevant to current

sentencing alternatives and tailored community supervision options (pre & post incarceration) in order to ensure cost-effective, research driven, evidenced-based practices are available and utilized by Georgia's criminal courts to affect offender recidivism and heighten the public's safety.
These selected officers recently attend-

This training was provided to ensure POSS Officers continue to serve as an indispensible resource for Georgia's Superior Courts and Court family. Training included Mental Health/ Substance Abuse Integrated Treatment programming, Criminal Justice Reform legislation and trends; PreSentence Assessment initiative to include scope and vision; Probation Options Management--current use and credibility; Day Reporting Center-Lite Program - purpose and availability; Offender Administration sentencing requirements; Communication and Protocol expectations between POSS and Georgia's Courts; and, current Sex Offender case management requirements.

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 & Rachad Hollis Contributors, Public Relations & Information Specialist