Press Releases | The Georgia Department of Corrections

2018 Press Releases

June 2018

06.21

2017 Vocational Teacher of the Year Named
06.21

2017 Trainer of the Year Named
06.21

2017 Supervisor of the Year Named
06.21

2017 James Henderson Award Winner Named
06.21

2017 Investigator of the Year Named
06.21

2017 Innovation/Process Improvement of the Year Award Named
06.21

2017 Health Services Professional of the Year Named
06.21

2017 Georgia Correctional Industries Employee of the Year Named
06.21

2017 Education Teacher of the Year Named
06.21

2017 Commissioner's Award
06.21

2017 Correctional Officer of the Year Named
06.21

2017 Chaplain of the Year Named
06.21

2017 Bobby Franklin Award Winner Named
06.20

Inmate Death Being Investigated as Apparent Suicide
06.20

New Warden at Washington State Prison
06.20

New Director for Engineering and Construction Services
06.20

New Warden at Telfair State Prison
06.20

New Warden at Valdosta State Prison
06.20

New Warden at Wilcox State Prison
06.13

GDC Releases New Facebook Career Hub
06.05

Calhoun State Prison Contraband Interception
06.04

New Director of Transportation Named
06.01

New Deputy Director of Field Operations Named
06.01

New Director of Field Operations Named

May 2018

April 2018

04.26

Butts Execution Media Advisory
04.23

Inmate Death Under Investigation
04.16

Execution Date Set for Baldwin County Murderer
04.16

New Superintendent at Lee Arrendale Transitional Center
04.16

New Deputy Warden of Security at Georgia State Prison
04.09

Walker State Prison Partners with GSU to Offer New Class to Offenders

March 2018

03.30

More Than 100 Offenders Graduate at Smith State Prison
03.28

New Academic Education Program Director
03.26

New Superintendent at Helms Facility
03.21

New Deputy Warden of Security at Baldwin State Prison
03.21

New Deputy Warden of Security at Ware State Prison
03.19

Residents Graduate from Construction Ready Pilot Program
03.19

Canine Handler Named Beyond the Call Award Recipient
03.16

Inmate Death Under Investigation
03.15

Gary Execution Final Media Advisory
03.15

Walker State Prison Hosts 6th Annual Education Day
03.15

New Statewide Mental Health Director
03.13

Gary Execution Media Advisory
03.13

New Superintendent at McEver Probation Detention Center
03.13

New Deputy Warden of Security at Burruss Correctional Training Center
03.13

New Deputy Warden of Security at Johnson State Prison
03.01

Girl Scouts Beyond Bars

February 2018

02.26

New Southwest Region Principal
02.26

New Director of Library Services
02.24

Inmate Death Being Investigated as Apparent Suicide
02.23

Execution Date Set for Muscogee County Murderer
02.22

Inmate Death Being Investigated as Apparent Suicide
02.22

Inmate Death Being Investigated as Apparent Suicide
02.21

New Education Program Director
02.21

Georgia Department of Corrections Chief of Staff Appointed to Commission on Accreditation for Corrections
02.15

Offender Art Brings Support to Reading Program
02.14

Welding Graduation at Walker State Prison
02.13

New Superintendent at Atlanta Transitional Center
02.13

New Superintendent at Clayton Transitional Center
02.13

New Superintendent at Long Unit
02.13

New Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment at Johnson State Prison
02.09

GDC Contraband Interdiction Efforts Continue in Fourth Quarter 2017
02.09

Impact Report Highlights Successes for Fiscal Year 2017
02.01

Dodge State Prison Hosts GED Graduation

January 2018

01.30

Floyd County Prison Holds First GED Graduation Ceremony
01.29

New Deputy Warden of Administration Named at Hancock State Prison
01.29

New Deputy Warden of Security Named at Coastal State Prison
01.29

New Deputy Warden of Security Named at Hays State Prison
01.29

New Director of Career and Technical Education Named
01.29

New Warden at Washington State Prison
01.29

New Warden at Smith State Prison
01.29

Inmate Death Being Investigated as Apparent Suicide
01.29

Inmate Death Being Investigated as Apparent Suicide
01.24

Correctional Officer Arrested
01.16

Inmate Death Being Investigated as Apparent Suicide
01.11

More than 2,500 IDs Issued to Returning Citizens
01.09

Inmate Firefighters Assist with Blaze
01.09

GDC Awarded ACA Accreditation
01.03

GDC Canine Handlers Assist with Capture

2017 Press Releases

December 2017

12.29

Wheeler Correctional Facility Holds GED Graduation
12.22

New Assistant Regional Director for the North Region
12.22

New Deputy Warden Care & Treatment at Arrendale
12.22

New Deputy Director of Facilities Operations
12.22

New GDC Southeast Regional Director Named
12.19

First Graduation for New Inmate Vocational Training Programs
12.19

Ten Graduate from Inaugural Culinary Arts Program
12.15

Warden Reassignment at Phillips State Prison
12.15

New Warden at Baldwin State Prison
12.15

New Warden at Augusta State Medical Prison
12.15

New Warden at Metro Reentry Prison
12.13

Coweta County Prison Hosts First GED Graduation Ceremony
12.12

Inmate Death Under Investigation
12.08

Agents honored with Governor’s Public Safety Awards
12.07

Inmate Death Being Investigated as Apparent Suicide
12.06

Alarm Alerts Staff to Drug-Carrying Drone at Autry State Prison
12.05

Officer Golden Helps Liberty Communities

November 2017

October 2017

September 2017

09.27

New Deputy Warden of Security Named at Valdosta State Prison
09.26

New Deputy Warden of Security Named at Valdosta State Prison
09.26

Lee Arrendale State Prison Hosts Recovery Day
09.22

New Deputy Warden Named at Burruss Correctional Training Center
09.22

New Director of Health Services
09.21

Smith State Prison Hosts GED Graduation
09.21

New HQ Campus Superintendent Named
09.20

New Superintendent at Metro Transitional Center
09.20

New Statewide PREA Coordinator Named
09.19

Tharpe Execution Media Advisory - Last Meal
09.15

Walker State Prison Hosts Recovery Month Event
09.15

New Deputy Warden Named at Dodge State Prison
09.15

New Deputy Warden Named at Metro Reentry Prison
09.14

GDC Recovery Operations Following Hurricane Irma
09.08

McEver PDC Hosts First GED Graduation
09.08

Central State Prison Launches Building Community Program
09.07

GDC Initiating Plans as Hurricane Irma Approaches
09.06

Execution Date Set for Jones County Murderer

August 2017

08.31

New Deputy Warden Named at Augusta State Medical Prison
08.31

New Deputy Warden Named at Phillips State Prison
08.31

Smith State Prison hosts 7th Annual Korean Ministry Luncheon
08.31

New Deputy Warden Named at Telfair State Prison
08.30

New Director of Risk Reduction Services
08.30

New Deputy Warden of Security Named at Lee Evidence Based Prison
08.29

Visitor Arrested for Contraband Charges Takes Plea Deal
08.29

New Deputy Director of the Office of Professional Standards
08.29

New Superintendent Named at Emanuel Probation Detention Center
08.28

New Deputy Warden Named at Calhoun State Prison
08.21

33 receive GEDs, 12 complete Vocational Landscaping program
08.18

New Warden Named at Ware State Prison
08.17

Don Blakely Named Warden at Valdosta State Prison
08.15

Inmate Death Under Investigation
08.10

2 Offenders receive Seminary degrees
08.09

2016 Commissioner’s Award Winner Named
08.09

2016 James Henderson Award Winners Named
08.09

2016 Bobby Franklin Award Winners Named
08.09

2016 Acts of Heroism Award Winner Named
08.09

2016 Contributions to Profession Award Winners Named
08.09

2016 Innovation/Process Improvement of the Year Award
08.09

2016 Health Services Professional of the Year Named
08.09

2016 Education Teacher of the Year Named
08.09

2016 Vocational Teacher of the Year Named
08.09

2016 Investigators of the Year Named
08.09

2016 Supervisor of the Year Named
08.09

2016 Chaplain of the Year Named
08.09

2016 Trainer of the Year Named
08.09

2016 Correctional Officer of the Year Named
08.09

2016 GCI Employee of the Year
08.09

2016 Volunteers of the Year Named
08.04

139 Offenders Earn Certificates
08.01

38 men complete 2-year F&CB program
08.01

New Warden at Rogers State Prison

July 2017

07.28

Johnson SP Hosts F&CB Graduation and Family Day
07.25

97 Offenders Earn Certificates
07.21

GDC SHARES FINDINGS OF AFTER ACTION REVIEW PANEL
07.19

New Deputy Warden of Security at Whitworth WF
07.18

New Changes within Georgia Correctional Industries
07.14

New Deputy Warden of Security Named at Autry SP
07.12

18 receive GEDs, 3 complete F&CB program
07.12

Melvin Butts New Deputy Warden of Security at Pulaski SP
07.12

New Superintendent at Phillips Transitional Center
07.10

New Superintendent at Albany Transitional Center
07.07

Walker State Prison hosts GED Graduation Ceremony
07.06

52 Offenders Earn their GED
07.01

GDC Contraband Interdiction Efforts Continue in 2nd Quarter

June 2017

06.30

New Warden Named at Johnson State Prison
06.30

New Warden Named at Wilcox State Prison
06.30

Kathleen Kennedy Named Assistant Director of Female Services
06.30

29 Offenders Receive High School Diplomas
06.28

GDC surpasses goal of 2,000 GED completions
06.27

New Private Prison Monitor at Coffee Correctional Facility
06.23

New Warden at Lee Arrendale State Prison
06.23

New Warden at Whitworth Women’s Facility
06.23

New Warden at Lee Evidence Based Prison
06.23

30 Individuals Complete Evidence Based Program
06.23

New Director of Female Services
06.23

26 Offenders Receive High School Diplomas at Lee Arrendale State Prison
06.16

UNPRECEDENTED SUPPORT DURING FUGITIVE MANHUNT
06.15

ESCAPED INMATES CAPTURED
06.13

Correctional Officers Christopher Monica and Curtis Billue tragically killed
06.13

Correctional Officers Killed, Two Inmates Escape
06.09

42 Offenders Complete Welding Programs
06.05

26 offenders, 17 detainees complete RSAT program
06.02

12 Offenders Complete Landscaping Program
06.02

Valdosta SP Recognizes GED Completions

May 2017

05.26

Telfair SP Recognizes GED Completions
05.26

GDC Staff and Offenders provide West Mims Fire Relief
05.19

Five Female Detainees Complete Understanding Dad Program
05.17

Ledford Execution Final Media Advisory
05.12

Inmate death under investigation
05.11

Ledford Execution Media Advisory
05.10

New Director of the Office of Professional Standards named
05.02

Eight Offenders Earn their GED

April 2017

March 2017

03.31

New Deputy Warden Named at Macon State Prison
03.31

Lee Arrendale State Prison Hosts Equine Auction
03.31

New Superintendent at Smith TC and Women’s PDC
03.30

82 Offenders Complete RSAT Program
03.24

Smith State Prison Top Facility for GED Completions
03.24

Macon Transitional Center Hosts Ceremony
03.23

New Deputy Warden Named at GDCP
03.17

Burruss CTC Hosts Landscaping Graduation
03.17

Whitworth Women’s Facility hosts graduation
03.07

Walker State Prison Hosts Education Open House
03.06

Turner RSAT Hosts Graduation Ceremony
03.02

5 Offenders Receive Optics Certification
03.01

Through the Eyes of a Student

February 2017

02.28

New Deputy Warden Named at Rutledge State Prison
02.27

New Deputy Warden Named at EWF
02.24

GDC Investigation Results in Arrest
02.23

New Deputy Warden Named at GDCP
02.23

22 Counselors complete ACPP
02.23

18 Offenders Graduate from Veterans Program
02.23

Inmate death under investigation
02.17

Inmate death under investigation
02.10

Lee State Prison Hosts F&CB Family Day
02.10

Helms Facility Hosts 1st GED Graduation
02.03

65 Offenders Complete RSAT Program
02.02

25 Offenders Earn their GED

January 2017

01.27

Nine Offenders Complete Moving On Program
01.27

10 Detainees Graduate from Rescued Program
01.26

Contraband Interdiction Efforts 4th Quarter
01.24

New Deputy Warden Named at Johnson State Prison
01.20

11 Offenders Complete Lifers Program
01.20

New Deputy Warden Named at Walker State Prison
01.20

38 Offenders complete 2-year F&CB Program
01.19

New Academic Director Named
01.18

New Deputy Warden Named at Pulaski State Prison
01.13

GDC Issues over 1,800 IDs and Driver’s Licenses
01.13

Rutledge SP 3rd Annual Veteran’s Stand Down
01.06

132 Offenders Complete Intensive Reentry Program
01.03

New Director of Risk Reduction/Transitional Services

2016 Press Releases

December 2016

12.30

Georgia Gideons Implement Tier Cell Ministry
12.29

New Superintendent at Columbus Transitional Center
12.22

13 Offenders Earn GED at Emanuel Women’s Facility
12.21

New Warden at Walker State Prison
12.16

GDC Adds 4 New Vocational Programs
12.15

8 Offenders Complete VISION Guide Dog Program
12.15

New Deputy Warden of Care & Treatment Named at Macon State Prison
12.09

90 Offenders Receive Forklift Certification
12.06

Sallie Execution Final Media Advisory
12.02

Real Time Reel Life Video showcases K-9 Unit
12.01

Sallie's Last Meal Advisory
12.01

New Chief of Staff Named
12.01

New Assistant Commissioner of Facilities Division

November 2016

11.23

Walker State Prison Celebrates 5 Years
11.23

34 Offenders Earn their GED
11.18

New Deputy Warden of Security Named at Walker State Prison
11.18

Five Detainees Complete Welding Program
11.17

Execution Date Set for Bacon County Murderer
11.16

Spears Execution Final Media Advisory
11.10

Spears Execution Media Advisory - Inmate’s Last Meal
11.07

New Deputy Warden of Security Named at Wilcox State Prison
11.07

More Than One Million Educational Videos Downloaded
11.07

New Deputy Warden of Administration Named at Autry State Prison
11.04

New Assistant Commissioner of Inmate Services
11.03

Washington State Prison Hosts Inaugural F&CB Dorm Family Day
11.02

New Deputy Warden of Care & Treatment Named at Georgia State Prison

October 2016

September 2016

August 2016

July 2016

07.28

Saints Softball Prison Ministry Reaches 29 GA State Prisons
07.27

Transitional Centers Now Allow Residents to Carry Cell Phones
07.26

27,901 Cognitive-Behavioral Program Completions in FY16
07.22

New Assistant Commissioner of Health Services
07.22

8 Detainees Graduate from Rescued Program
07.16

New Superintendent at Augusta Transitional Center
07.16

New Deputy Warden of Security at Phillips State Prison
07.16

Andrew McFarlane Named Deputy Warden of Security
07.16

Jodi Ford Named Superintendent at Phillips TC
07.16

Clay Nix Named New Deputy Director of OPS
07.16

6 Promoted to Assistant Special Agents in Charge
07.15

Conner Execution Media Advisory
07.11

GDC Facilities Lockdown Update
07.08

4,257 Individuals Complete Programs in FY16
07.07

Conner's Last Meal Advisory
07.06

GDC Contraband Interdiction Efforts Continue in 2nd Quarter
07.01

1,224 Individuals Receive their GED in FY16
07.01

13 Young Women Receive their High School Diploma at LASP
07.01

Bruce Chatman New SE Asst. Regional Director
07.01

Kevin Sprayberry Named Warden at Hays
07.01

Eric Sellers Named Warden of GDCP

June 2016

06.30

Benjamin Ford Named Warden at Calhoun
06.29

Scott Crickmar New SW Regional Director
06.29

Sue Mickens New Warden at Pulaski
06.29

Stan Shepard New Asst. Regional Director, North
06.29

Scott Wilkes Named Warden of ASMP
06.29

Meosha McMillan Named Warden at Emanuel Women's Facility
06.29

James Payne Named New Warden at Burruss CTC
06.29

Annettia Toby New Warden at Hancock State Prison
06.24

Execution Date Set for Telfair County Murderer
06.24

1st class of graduates receive HS diplomas at Burruss CTC
06.24

Inaugural class graduates from Diesel Mechanics Program
06.20

Over 2,300 Children Reached through Little Readers Program
06.20

131 Detainees Complete RSAT Program
06.17

14 Offenders Receive their GED
06.16

Georgia Escapee Captured after 37 years
06.10

Bulloch County Correctional Institution Honored
06.10

Augusta TC Named Center of the Year
06.10

Walker State Prison Named Facility of the Year
06.10

Harris Hodges Named 2015 Legacy Award Winner
06.10

2015 James Henderson Award Winners Named
06.10

Officer Deshawn Jones Receives Bobby Franklin Award
06.10

Officer Lamar Horne Receives 2015 Individual Fitness Award
06.10

Officer Murray & Lt. Shuman Named Employees of the Year
06.10

Cliff Hogan Named Headquarters Employee of the Year
06.10

Lt. Mark Lozano Named Facilities Supervisor of the Year
06.10

Laderka Tillman Brown Named Correctional Officer of the Year
06.10

2015 Corporate Sponsors of the Year
06.10

2015 Partner Agencies of the Year Named
06.10

2015 Faith Based Contributors of the Year Named
06.10

2015 Volunteers of the Year Named
06.10

Offenders Across the State Lead and Assist with Prison Programs
06.10

12 Employees Graduate from GDC Special Agent Academy

May 2016

05.27

28 Incarcerated Individuals Graduate from RSAT Program
05.25

Lee State Prison Launches Welding Program
05.20

11 Detainees complete NWRSAT Program
05.20

Faith & Character Based Dorm Open House
05.19

DA Indicts Four Gang Members in 2014 Homicide
05.13

Deputy Warden Named at Central State Prison
05.13

Macon State Prison Launches Aquaponics Program
05.09

34 Detainees Graduate from BASICS World of Work
05.09

Georgia Escapee Captured; on the run for almost 48 years
05.09

GDC Launches Newly Redesigned Website
05.04

49 Detainees Graduate from the Inaugural RSAT Program
05.04

30 Offenders Receive Certificates in Theological Studies

April 2016

04.29

Cliff Hogan Named Deputy Director of Human Resources
04.27

Lucas Execution Media Advisory
04.19

Lucas Last Meal Advisory
04.19

30 Offenders Graduate from World of Work Training
04.15

7 Detainees Graduate from Rescued Program at Colwell PDC
04.15

Inmate Fire Station Opens at Smith State Prison
04.15

8 Residents Complete Inaugural Welding Class at Arrendale TC
04.12

Fults Execution Media Advisory
04.08

7 Detainees Complete Therapeutic Program at West Central
04.07

Daniel Anthony Lucas Execution Date Set
04.07

Contraband Interdiction Efforts Yield Close to 8,000 Items Seized
04.07

Fults Last Meal Advisory
04.06

Gloria Hawkins-Turnage Named New Deputy Warden of Care & Treatment
04.06

Connie Moody Named New Deputy Warden of Administration

March 2016

February 2016

02.29

Eugenia Harrison Named New Deputy Warden of Care & Treatment
02.28

Augusta Transitional Center Opens New GED Classroom
02.22

Real Time, Reel Life Video Rides Along With SERTF
02.21

13 Detainees Graduate from the RSAT Program
02.21

G.O.A.L. Devices Increase Offender Education
02.21

Angela L. Williams Named New Assistant Superintendent
02.21

Van Harris Named New Superintendent
02.21

GDC's 1st Veterans Reentry Dorm Program Graduation
02.18

Pamela McDonald Named New Deputy Warden
02.18

Central State Prison hosts 1st Family Reunification Day
02.18

Grand Opening of 100 Shares Children's Visitation Center
02.11

Hittson Execution Media Advisory - Last Meal
02.10

Two year GDC & FBI investigation results in more than 45 Federal Indictments
02.08

Paul Lindner Named New Campus Superintendent
02.08

Inmate Written Article about Class Experience of Horticulture program
02.08

10 Inmates Earn a GED at Wilcox State Prison
02.04

GDC Fire Services Employees Deputized
02.04

5 Detainees Return to Society
02.02

Jones Execution Media Advisory
02.02

32 Faith & Character Based Program Participants Graduate
02.01

Execution Date Set for Houston County Murderer

January 2016

01.27

Hudson TC Resident Fails to Return From Work Assignment
01.21

Autry State Prison Shakedowns Net More than 1,000 Items of Contraband
01.20

GDC joint investigation with the FBI results in Federal Indictments
01.18

Integrity Project graduates 18 at Burruss CTC
01.13

3 Detainees Return to Society
01.12

Execution Date Set for Cobb County Murderer
01.12

8 Graduates Receive Wiregrass Technical College Certificates
01.10

G.O.A.L. Devices Expand Offender Education Opportunities, Strengthen Family Ties
01.07

Inclement Weather
01.07

Inmate Fire Crew Assists In Response to Fire
01.06

RESCUED Dog Program Graduation 14

2015 Press Releases

2014 Press Releases

2013 Press Releases

2013 December
- 12.30 | Corrections to Host Military Job Fair
- 12.23 | Rick Jacobs Named New Director

2013 January
- 01.30 | Paul Lindner Promoted