June 2010 Newsletter
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE PRESENTS GOVERNOR'S COMMENDATIONS

In this Issue:
Governor's Customer Service Awards Magdalene Women Visit Atlanta Re-entry Programs Graduation Macon Day Reporting Center Thomasville Day Reporting Center Advanced Management Training South Georgia Circuit
Upcoming Events:
June 4 - Family Day in Milledgeville
June 10 - Gainesville Day Reporting Center Graduation Ceremony
June 15 - Quarterly Awards Ceremony
June 17 - Athens Day Reporting Center Graduation Ceremony

Several Department of Corrections staff were presented with Governor Sonny Perdue's Commendations on Thursday, April 29, 2010. Those recognized with this award were: Personnel
Technician Nancy Allen - Hays State Prison, Counselor Shawn Sikes - Smith State Prison, and Wilkes Pre-Release Center.
Each winner was chosen because of their outstanding customer service. Ms. Allen always goes above and beyond her job responsibilities to help those in need, Mr. Sikes exemplifies great customer service to both internal and external customers, and the Wilkes PRC encourages their local community to prepare inmates to successfully re-enter into society.
We are proud to have them as a part of our team. The Governor's Commendations are presented quarterly. Nominations are accepted from agencies across the state and the university system. Pictured above: Governor Sonny Perdue and the GDC winners of the Governor's Commendations.
MAGDALENE WOMEN OF NASHVILLE INSPIRE INMATES AT METRO STATE PRISON Women of Magdalene, a non-profit organization helping women who have a history of incarceration, addiction or prostitution, recently visited Metro State Prison. Some of the women
who have graduated from the Magdalene program, along with founder Rebecca Stevens, conducted their "Find Your Way Home" tour at Metro on April 27, 2010. The tour consisted of uplifting songs and inspirational stories told by the Magdalene graduates. Metro's own "Voices of Hope" choir also lent their voices to the event and received a standing ovation from the crowd (bottom photo).

Did You Know?..... Out of the 3,654 female inmates in our facilities, nearly half abused drugs and/or alcohol. (As of April 2010)

CENTRAL STATE PRISON GRADUATES INMATES IN RE-ENTRY PROGRAMS Central State Prison held their Spring Graduation on April 15, 2010 to recognize inmates in
Academic and Vocational Education, and Counseling groups. The Vocational Trades and Academic Education Certificates are offered through Central Georgia Technical College. The on-the-job training courses are offered through Middle Georgia Technical College.
There were a total of 64 graduates. Fourteen graduated from an academic program, 17 from a vocational program, and 33 from a counseling group.
Pictured to the left: From left to right - Georgia Department of Labor TOPPSTEP Regional Coordinator Rick Henderson, Manager of Workforce Development for Risk Reduction Services Pat Lehn, Director of Risk Reduction Services Katrinka Glass, and Warden William Terry.
MACON DAY REPORTING CENTER GRADUATE ENCOURAGES OTHERS
The Macon Day Reporting Center (DRC) celebrated family night on May 25, 2010. Kathy Jones Williams, a
Macon DRC graduate, brought words of encouragement to participants and their family members. Ms. Williams also shared the importance of obtaining a GED or diploma with the participants. Ms. Williams successfully completed the Macon Day Reporting Center program in March 2009. While in the DRC program, she enrolled in GED classes and continued to attend classes after commencing the program. She has since received her diploma.
Family night at the Macon DRC is held one evening per month The family members are exposed to different topics pertaining to the program goals, support networks, and participant's progress in the program. Pictured to the right: Kathy Jones Williams and Macon DRC Center Administrator, Rosalyn Davis.

THOMASVILLE DAY REPORTING STAFF PARTICIPATE IN CLEANING EFFORTS
The Thomasville community hosted a "Keep Thomasville Beautiful" work day for citizens to volunteer
around the city. Probation Officer Dawn Hurst of the Thomasville Day Reporting Center (DRC), volunteers with probationers from the center. Officer Hurst, along with DRC participants, cleaned and planted flowers at a local park.
Pictured left: Probation Officer Dawn Hurst, along with participants of the DRC program.

TWENTY-FIVE GRADUATE FROM ADVANCED MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The new Advanced Management Training (AMT) program held its first graduation at the
Georgia State Prison training site on May 7, 2010. The program was coordinated by GDC Management & Education Coordinator Delphine Reese and led by Sherri Lawless and Eric Robinson of the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government (CVIOG). The fiveday, 40-hour training course was developed by CVIOG and the GDC Management Training Unit for front-line managers of supervisors or programs.
Pictured to the right: Seated in the front row from left to right is Sherri Lawless, Eric Robinson, and Delphine Reese. In the back row are the 25 graduates.
SOUTH GEORGIA CIRCUIT GETS LESSON ON GANGS The South Georgia Circuit held its quarterly staff meeting on April 20, 2010. Lieutenant Tony Moore, Commander of the
Albany Gang Unit with the Albany Police Department, was the guest speaker. His presentation included identifying gangs, where they hang out, and how they pay for expenses. He offered information about clothing and certain colors officers should be mindful of such as red, blue, yellow, black and camouflage. The information that was shared will assist officers in decreasing criminal gang activity in South Georgia. Pictured to the left: Chief Probation Officer of the South Georgia Circuit, Elaine Carroll and Lieutenant Tony Moore.

COMMAND COLLEGE GRADUATES - MAY 10, 2010

Sarah Draper Billy Bearden Shevondah Fields

Ahmed Holt John Howerton Kathy Seabolt

William Driver Pamela Gould Kathleen Kennedy

Carlia Ray Jeanie Sims Becky East

Commissioner Brian Owens Public Affairs: Joan Heath, Director; Sharmelle Brooks, Managing Editor; Kristen Stancil, Contributor; Peggy Chapman, Contributor Contact: 404-656-9772; www.dcor.state.ga.us