News Release - January 28, 2007
Georgia Department of Corrections
James E. Donald, Commissioner
Director of Public Information
Susan Phillips
Contact: Office of Public Affairs (404) 656-9772
For Immediate Release
Boot Camp Plus Graduation
Ceremony Planned at Scott State Prison
Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Corrections will hold a graduation ceremony for 34 inmate participants of the Boot Camp Plus Program at Scott State Prison on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 2:00 pm. The prison is located at 107 Lawrence Road, Hardwick, Georgia.
“This is the first program of its kind in Georgia, combining the discipline of a military style boot camp with an intensive substance abuse treatment curriculum,” said Corrections Commissioner James E. Donald. “We know that 97 percent of offenders in prison will return to the community, and programs like this will give these participants the tools they need to re-enter society and be successful.”
The Georgia Department of Corrections first began operating this pilot program in August of 2007. The inmates are referred to the program by the Pardons and Paroles Board. The length of the program is six months, consisting of four phases, each six weeks long. In addition to attending classes, morning and evening physical training, and two hours of drill, each participant receives a minimum of 17 hours of intensive therapeutic treatment per week.
The Department of Corrections is the fifth largest prison system in the United States and is responsible for supervising nearly 60,000 state prisoners and over 140,000 probationers. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with nearly 15,000 employees.
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