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
2011 Correctional Officer of the Year Named - Stephanie Yaughn Posthumously Honored
Forsyth - The Department of Corrections honored the late Stephanie Yaughn of Baldwin State Prison as Correctional Officer of the Year at the Eighth Annual GDC Awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at State Offices South at Tift College in Forsyth, Georgia. Accepting the award on behalf of Officer Yaughn was her mother, Mattie McMullen.
"Stephanie was known as a diligent and dedicated employee," said Commissioner Brian Owens. "She will always be remembered as the Officer with the biggest heart and biggest smile," added Owens.
The Correctional Officer of the Year award is presented to an officer with first rate knowledge of inmate behaviors and policy and procedures. The recipient of this award must display an outstanding effort and motivation towards job performance and duties.
Officer Yaughn began her career with the Department in 1999. In her 13 years with the Department, she made it a priority to understand inmate behaviors to ensure the security and safety of inmates and staff. In addition to her commitment to the Department, she devoted her time to fostering children. On February 21, 2012, after a ten year battle with cancer, Officer Yaughn passed away. She will always be remembered as a hero to the staff at Baldwin State Prison, the Department of Corrections and her community.
Several key officials were on hand for the ceremony, which was attended by 200 guests. Making the award presentation with the Commissioner were Board of Corrections Secretary Rose Williams, Assistant Corrections Commissioner Timothy C. Ward and special guest speaker, State Representative Jay Neal.
The Department of Corrections is the fourth 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 12,000 employees.
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