News Release - March 4, 2011
Georgia Department of Corrections
Brian Owens, Commissioner
Director of Public Affairs
Joan Heath
Contact: Office of Public Affairs (478) 992-5248
STATE OF GEORGIA
For Immediate Release
Karen Jett Appointed PREA Coordinator
Forsyth – Commissioner Brian Owens announced the promotion of Karen Jett to Statewide PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) Coordinator effective March 16, 2011. Ms. Jett will be assuming the position upon retirement of current PREA Coordinator, Betty Lance.
"Karen has served within many facets of government and Corrections," said Corrections Commissioner Brian Owens. "We are confident that her 30 years of experience will benefit the Department greatly in her new role as Statewide PREA Coordinator," added Owens.
Ms. Jett will be responsible for ensuring that the agency is in compliance with the Federal standards mandated by PREA. She will review, revise and devise operating procedures and will provide consultation and guidance under PREA implementation and monitoring regulations.
Ms. Jett began her career in 1972 as a Police Officer with the Griffin Police Department. In 1980, she moved within state government as a Parole Office with the State Board of Pardon and Paroles. In 1982, she began her career with the Department of Corrections as an Intensive Probation Officer. Through the years, she has served as Senior Counselor, Mental Health Counselor, Staff Training Coordinator and Deputy Warden. Ms. Jett most recently served as the Superintendent at Macon Transitional Center.
Ms. Jett holds a Masters degree from Georgia State University, a Bachelors degree from Tift College and an Associate's degree from Gordon College. Ms. Jett had the esteemed honor of delivering a presentation at the Oxford Round Table on Criminal Law and Justice at Oxford University in England. Following the Round Table, the Civic Research Institute's "Women, Girls, and Criminal Justice," published Jett's presentation in 2007. She has two children and three grandchildren.
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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