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
GDC Cuts Ribbon at Transitional Center
Alto – The Georgia Department of Corrections held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Lee Arrendale State Prison Transitional Center Thursday, June 19, 2008. Lee Arrendale State Prison provides housing for female offenders.
More than one hundred attendees were on hand, including Transitional Center residents, to hear Corrections Commissioner James E. Donald speak about the Department’s passion for helping change lives. “I look forward to seeing these women redeem themselves, so they can be a positive force on young children.” A current resident also spoke of the skills she has obtained while residing at the Center, including health and life skills, work ethic and financial guidance.
The Department currently operates 15 transitional centers with 2,807 beds. The centers provide select offenders the opportunity to slowly integrate back into society with a job and skills necessary to cope in everyday life. Research shows offenders are one third more likely to succeed in maintaining a crime-free life after staying in a transitional center.
The Department of Corrections is the fifth largest prison system in the United States and is responsible for supervising over 50,000 state prisoners and 140,000 probationers. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with nearly 15,000 employees.