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 Bobby Franklin Award Winner Named - James Phelps of Central State Prison Honored
Forsyth - The Department of Corrections presented Lieutenant James Phelps with the Bobby Franklin Award at the Eighth Annual GDC Awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at the State Offices South at Tift College in Forsyth, Georgia.
"The Department is proud to honor James with this prestigious award," said Commissioner Brian Owens. "He is the embodiment of a dedicated and loyal employee," added Owens.
The Bobby Franklin Award was created to honor the memory of Correctional Officer Bobby Franklin of the Colwell Probation Detention Center. Officer Franklin died on August 20, 2003 while deployed in Iraq. He was a Staff Sergeant with the 210th National Guard Military Police in Franklin, North Carolina and voluntarily lengthened his tour of duty to remain with his troops. He began his career with the Department of Corrections in 1987.
Lt. Phelps is a 21 year veteran of the United States Armed Services serving in Vietnam and Desert Storm. He joined the Department of Corrections in 1992 and is currently serving as Lieutenant at Central State Prison. Lt. Phelps is team oriented and happily shares his wealth of knowledge with his co-workers. He is known as a selfless and giving person. He volunteers with Meals on Wheels and in his community by assisting Senior citizens.
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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