News Release - December 9, 2010
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
Faith Based Breakfast Scheduled in Forsyth
GDC & Pardons and Paroles to Address Offender Reentry Services
Forsyth - The Department of Corrections and the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles are hosting a meeting in support of the Macon Reentry Coalition. A breakfast will be held on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at State Offices South at Tift College in Vinzant Hall. The meeting is from 8:00 to 10:30am.
The Macon Reentry Coalition, in partnership with GDC and the Parole Board, is a collaboration to educate and assist offenders who are on probation or parole. The coalition includes law enforcement, faith based organizations and elected officials from Middle Georgia. The goal is to enhance existing risk interventions and services to help reduce recidivism. The group also provides job placement, skills training and counseling to assist offenders upon their release from prison.
“One key to the Department’s success is the relationships we have with Faith and Community Based organizations,” said Commissioner Brian Owens. “We appreciate their work that helps improve an offender’s chance of success,” added Owens.
The purpose of the meeting is to expand the Macon Reentry Coalition by including Faith and Community Based organizations not currently working with GDC and the Parole Board. Both agencies are particularly interested in groups that can provide housing, employment, transportation and substance abuse counseling.
“I strongly believe our work with Faith and Community Based organizations is making a difference in the lives of offenders,” said Parole Board Chairman James E. Donald. “It takes an entire community to help an offender succeed and the more support we get helps make Georgia a safer state,” added Donald.
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.####
