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
Walker State Prison Commissioning Ceremony
Department to Open First Faith and Character Based Prison
Forsyth - Commissioner Brian Owens and other dignitaries will commemorate the establishment of the first Faith and Character Based Prison in Georgia. The ceremony will take place at Walker State Prison in Rock Springs on Wednesday, September 7th at 11:00am. State Representative Jay Neal will deliver the keynote address.
The Faith and Character Based Program provides an atmosphere for offenders to develop interpersonal communication skills, understand diversity and participate in the rehabilitative process. The two-year program also promotes personal accountability, responsibility, integrity and the building of one's faith and character.
"The Faith and Character Based Program is an opportunity for the Department to work with our community partners to enhance existing risk interventions and services," said Commissioner Brian Owens. "Our common goal is to equip offenders with the skills they need to live productive, crime free lives and reduce recidivism," added Owens.
A change of leadership will also take place during the ceremony. Warden Tom Chapman will assume responsibility of Walker State Prison from James Lanier who retired from the Department with 34 years of service.
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.
###