Georgia Department of Corrections
Brian Owens, Commissioner
Director of Public Affairs
Joan Heath
Contact: Office of Public Affairs (404) 656-9772
STATE OF GEORGIA
For Immediate Release
Southwest Probation Detention Center Slated for Closure
Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Corrections announced today the closure of Southwest Probation Detention Center in Colquitt County effective May 31, 2010. The Department anticipates a savings of approximately $2.1 million annually in direct operational cost.
Southwest Probation Detention Center provides housing for 222 male detainees. Work details will be reassigned to other facilities in the region. The Center’s 52 employees will be offered positions at other GDC facilities, most within a 50-mile radius.
“The Department’s mission of maintaining safe and secure facilities has not changed,” said Commissioner Brian Owens. “This closure is necessary to help us continue being good stewards of public funds,” added Owens.
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 150,000 probationers. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 13,000 employees.
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