A Letter From Commissioner Brian Owens
A LETTER FROM OUR COMMISSIONER
I continue to be honored to serve as your Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC). The Department is committed to operating a safe and secure prison system, enhancing prison-based treatment, prevention programs, community corrections, and the successful reentry of inmates into society. Integrity, duty, loyalty, honor, and respect, are just a few of the core values constantly demonstrated by our nearly 13,000 dedicated employees who work diligently to ensure our mission of protecting the public is carried out responsibly.
In the midst of significant challenges created by our declining economy, the Department continues to realize many successes. Best business practices have been implemented through the use of consolidated banking for inmates and probationers, via accountability measures with COMPSTAT for Wardens and Chief Probation Officers, and gained bed space by consolidating diagnostics to a single facility. GDC also remains committed to educating offenders and providing skills to conduct positive change in their communities upon release. More than a dozen risk reduction programs are provided to inmates in each facility, ultimately increasing public safety by reducing recidivism.
GDC continues with preparations to relocate our Headquarters to State Offices South at Tift College in Forsyth. This move will centralize our operation, moving us closer to the state’s correctional and probation facilities, most of which are located south of Metro Atlanta. The final phase of the Tift renovation is scheduled for completion in October, 2010.
I am humbled to support the best team in state government, many of whom are currently serving and protecting our Country. Please join us in supporting our soldiers and their families, with wishes for their safe return home.
Our website demonstrates our achievements and plans for the future. We encourage you to explore our site and gain knowledge about your Department of Corrections, where we strive to remain a leader and partner in making Georgia a safer, healthier, better educated, growing and best managed state.
