May 2013 Newsletter In This Issue 1 A Message from Commissioner Brian Owens Operation Tomahawk 22nd Military Job Fair Held in Glennville Firearm Instructor Training Atlanta Circuit Holds Open House 34th Annual TACT Commissioner's Challenge Northwest RSAT Center Family Education Day A Message from Commissioner Brian Owens form. House Bill 349 is follow-up legislation to House Bill 1176, the criminal justice reform act of 2012. Lastly, the bill contains provisions to keep communities safer by breaking the cycle of recidivism through the following: HB 349 restores judicial discretion by al- lowing a departure from mandatory minimum sentences in some very limited circumstances. Judges will now have the option to make more appropriate decisions in drug-related cases where the defendant is not the ring- leader of the criminal enterprise, or in other cases where the prosecution, defense attorney and judge agree. Limited driving permits will now be available for issue to defendants and participants in a drug court or mental health court program, allowing them to get to school or work as long as they meet the program's requirements Individuals who have earned a HOPE GED voucher while incarcerated will be permitted to use it within two years of release April marked another great stride in Criminal Justice Reform. On April 25, Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law a second round of criminal justice re- In addition, the legislation creates the Georgia Criminal Justice Reform Commission. The commission will conduct periodic comprehensive reviews of the criminal justice system and juvenile justice system to help ensure that they are effective and efficient in fulfilling their purposes. As an employee of the Department of Corrections, I urge you to visit the following site and read HB 349. See what is happening in your field of work: http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20132014/133002.pdf Operation Tomahawk 4Images Across the State Senior Leadership Off-site In April Hancock State Prison Recognizes Employees Have a great story idea? Please submit articles and photos to Gwendolyn Hogan by May 22. Email: hogang00@dcor.state.ga.us The Department participated in the first two-day operation in Gwinnett County called Operation Tomahawk. From April 24-25, the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office (GCSO), Department of Corrections and local Parole Office served warrants and conducted sex offender compliance checks and searches. Warrants included felony probation and misdemeanor probation and criminal offenses. Officers served 192 warrants, conducted 89 sex offender compliance checks and netted 42 arrests. "Operation Tomahawk was the first joint effort for Gwinnett County that our Department was involved in," said Commissioner Brian Owens. "I look forward to our involvement in future task force operations to assist in fighting crime together." Did You Know..We offered 24 jobs to active duty military and veterans at the Military Job Fair in April! 2 2nd Military Job Fair Held in Glennville Program Development Consultant Gary Bell discussing jobs at DOC Col. Mark London and Employment Coordinator Lacy Turner assist attendee Special Operations Mobile Field Force Riot Control demonstration with interested applicant register for the event On April 17 at the National Guard Armory in Glennville, five state agencies and two private companies came together to assist unemployed active duty military personnel, guardsmen, army reservists, veterans and civilians find employment. Participating agencies included the Department of Corrections, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Public Safety, State Board of Pardons and Paroles and Department of Labor. Participating companies included The GEO Group and Corrections Corporation of America. The fair in Glennville is the second job fair the Department of Corrections has hosted in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Defense and the Georgia National Guard. The first job fair was held in September 2012 at State Offices South at Tift College after Colonel Mark London contacted the Department to discuss ideas of how to assist returning military personnel and veterans find employment. "The Department was honored with hosting the first law enforcement military job fair with DJJ, GSP, DNR, PAP and GBI at our offices at State Offices South at Tift College," said Commissioner Brian Owens. "It was such a success that we wanted to bring it to other areas around the state." Over 100 interested military personnel attended the job fair and the Department alone offered 24 jobs on-site. "The Georgia Department of Defense thinks the State Law Enforcement career expo was a great success. About a third of veterans that participated walked away with a job. You just do not find a typical job fair with that high of success," said Colonel Mark London, Director of Joint and Family Services of the Georgia National Guard. "We have established a very solid partnership with State Law Enforcement Agencies. This was the second expo of many to come. We plan to hold one of these every quarter across the State focusing in on a region at a time. This has proven to be a very successful technique of being able to offer a job the same day to everyone that passes the background check and fitness test. Other State Agencies have expressed interest in joining these upcoming events. The third job fair location has yet to be determined, but keep an eye out on the following sites: dcor.state.ga.us GDCjobs.com facebook.com/Georgiacorrections twitter.com/GA_Corrections Firearms Instructor Training Contributed by Forrest Adam Lane, Probation Training Unit Instructor bly, Field Training Manager Murray Tatum and GDCP Trainer Danny Rodriguez stepped in and offered their expertise and assistance, helping the program to become a true success. Please congratulate the Department's newest Firearms Instructors: Back Row- PO Justin Shope (L), Instructor Forrest Lane, BCOT Instructor Phillip Lockett, and Commander Unit Mgr. Tracy McIntyre receiving his Shooter's Challenge ChamGary Bell; Front Row - PO Tony Karmazinas (L), BCOT Instructor David Colon, Unit Mgr. Tracy McIntyre, PSTI pion Trophy I Flemister Wiley and Sgt. Ashley Dupree. Unit Manager Tracy McIntyre Commander Gary Bell BCOT Instructor Phillip Lockett BCOT Instructor David Colon BCOT Instructor Flemister Wiley Probation Officer Justin Shope Probation Officer Tony Karmazinas Sergeant Ashley Dupree Photos were provided by Instructor Dallas Williamson. From March 25 to April 5, the Probation Training Unit conducted Firearms Instructor Training at the Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Prison Training Center. Eight candidates successfully shot a score of 90 or high. Candidates were required to shoot a 90 or better with the Glock .40, Smith & Wesson .38, Shot- gun and .223 Rifle. Additionally, candidates had to score an 80 or higher on an academic test and instructor evaluation. Candidates also embarked on a Shooter's Challenge where they completed an obstacle course, Probation Requalification course and the Georgia Semiautomatic course. Unit Manager Tracy McIntyre won the event with a score of 97. In addition, he earned Top Gun with an overall average of 97.9. The success of the program was made possible by a joint effort from our Probation and Facilities Trainers. The program was coordinated by PTU Instructor Forrest Lane, but most nota- 4th Annual TACT Commissioner's Challenge 3 Calendar Events Thursday, May 3 Board of Corrections Meeting 1st Place Winners - COBRA 1st Place Winners - Ware State Prison 3rd Place Winners - Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Prison On April 26, the Department held the 4th Annual TACT Commissioner's Challenge at the Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Prison Training Complex. There were 12 finalists which consisted of nine facility Tactical Squads, one team from COBRA, one Probation Tactical Squad and one team from Canine. Excellence in Physical Fitness Georg Trexler (Southeast Probation) Excellence in Team Leadership Washington State Prison The Department would like to also congratulate the following team award recipients: Congratulations to the following winners of the 2013 Commissioner's Challenge: Third Place Winners Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Prison Second Place Winners Ware State Prison The challenge included a Firearms test, Leadership Reaction course, Obstacle course and the Team Rope Challenge. Team Leadership Award (Leadership Reaction Course) COBRA The Department would like to congratulate the following employees who accumulated the most points in individual events: Excellence in Policy & Procedures Jamey Jordan (Canine) Excellence in Marksmanship Tony Griffin (Hancock State Prison) Team Marksmanship COBRA GDC Team Obstacle Course COBRA GDC Team Rope Challenge Southeast Probation First Place Winners COBRA The 2013 Commissioner's Challenge first place winners received the Commissioner's Cup, a $500 bonus per member, commemorative jacket and a year's worth of bragging rights. Congratulations to all! Northwest RSAT Center Family Education Day Contributed by Mark Abusaft, Superintendent Northwest RSAT Center Monday-Sunday May 6-12 Public Employee Recognition Week Thursday, May 9 Board of Public Safety Monday, May 20 Georgia Public Safety Memorial Ceremony & GDC Roll-up "Day in Central Office" Tuesday, May 21 Annual Awards Ceremony Monday, May 27 HOLIDAY Front L to R: Bertie Lee, Richa Johnson, Cynthia Ridgeway, Chaplain Jeremy Stroop (Walker SP), Nicole Duck, Marcia Batchelor; Back Row L to R: Rebecca Johnson, Vincent Spann, Superintendent Mark Abusaft, Rev. Terry Roberson, Gene Zwaryck and Counselor Patricia Pierce Participants of the NWRSAT program and family On March 22, the Northwest Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Center held its family education day. Several family members attended and had opportunity to ask questions regarding RSAT program and other services offered by state and private agencies. Representatives for the following agencies and organizations attended and they included Department of Labor Vincent Spann, Georgia Northwestern Technical College Nicole Duck, Northwest Day Reporting Center Marcia Batchelor and Richa Johnson, Oakwood Baptist Church Celebrate Recovery Bertie Lee, Spectrum Health Services Gene Zwaryck, Project Shield Rev. Terry Roberson, Carter Hope Cynthia Ridgeway. Warden Scott Crickmar and Deputy Warden George Curry extended their appreciation to all agencies in attendance. Overall the event was educational to staff, offenders and their families. "I would like to extend a special thank you to all the representatives that made this event a success," said Superintendent Mark Abusaft. youtube.com/user/ GACorrections facebook.com/georgiacorrections GA_Corrections 4 Images Across the State Johnson State Prison Holds Quarterly Awards Ceremony in April L to R: Johnson State Prison Warden Jose Morales, File Room Clerk Letitia Martin (Customer Svc. Champion); Counselor Pamela Cason (NonSecurity EOQ); Jason Hurst (Security EOQ); Darryl Sumner (NonSec Supervisor of Qtr). NOT PIC- TURED: Sgt. Felicia Henderson (SecSpvsr of Qtr) Senior Leadership Off-Site in April Back Row, L to R: Sgt. Vincent Dennis 10 years; Ricky Tucker 20 years; Sgt. Steven Edwards 10 years; Olen Price 20 years of Faithful Service. Front Row, L to R: Larry Timmons 5 years; OA Tech Sharon Dalton 20 years; and Personnel Cynthia Chester 20 years of Faithful Service. Hancock State Prison Recognizes Employees Business Office Team Award Faithful Service Award recipients: 5 years Ulysses Floyd, Kesha Taylor, Natasha Roberts, Christina McCormick, Serika Jordan, Michael Graham and Tammy Nesbitt 10 Years Tessay Lewis On April 24-25, the Senior Leadership Off-site was held at Goodwill in Macon. The objective of the off-site was to develop a common understanding of the Fiscal Year 13 Legislative impacts, Budget and Criminal Justice Reform as well as to achieve a common understanding of the Commissioner's Top 5 Areas of Special Interest. department experts on certain topics within the Department as well as visit Central State Prison, Macon Transitional Center, Macon Probation & Day Reporting Centers. Thank you to all the Operations, Training & Planning staff for putting the event together. On April 17, Hancock State Prison held a quarterly awards ceremony for its employees. Warden Glen Johnson presented the following employees with awards: Martha Smith Warden's Award Eric Ingram Supervisor of the Quarter Alisha Talley & Alfred Rhodes Security Employees of the Quarter 15 Years Maxin Harris, Glenda McCrary, Evonne Foye, Untray Bellinger, Celeste Young, Adrian Williamson and Willie Chapple 20 Years David Wells, Shirley Maddox, Patricia Evans, Clifford Noyes, Debra Turner, Jesse Hamilton, Annie Cheely and Sebastian Hargrove During the two day off-site, leadership had the opportunity to hear from Linda Brown Non-Security Employee of the Quarter 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