FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Career, Technical and Higher Education (CTHE) certificates have surpassed its fiscal year (July 1, 2018- June 30, 2019) goal of 11,000 by achieving 18,659 certificates earned. The CTHE program completions have exponentially increased by 206%, since fiscal year 2017, yet another accomplishment in GDC’s continuing commitment toward effective offender management and successful reentry.
“Thanks to community partnerships, CTHE affords offenders an opportunity to obtain valuable skills,” said Commissioner Timothy C. Ward. “Upon earning their CTHE certificates, offenders are provided the knowledge, support and assistance that will benefit them in finding gainful employment.”
To ensure offenders have access to programming that will aide in successful reentry, the GDC partnered with Wiregrass Technical College and the Technical College System of Georgia to establish mobile classrooms throughout the state. The mobile classrooms are moved to a different state facility each 6 weeks and provides offenders an opportunity to earn certificates in Welding and Electrical repair. In our Transitional Centers, residents are provided with opportunities to earn Forklift Management, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and ServSafe certificates.
The GDC currently provides seven Education Program Specialists throughout the state who are dedicated full-time to support CTHE, in each of the GDC’s three regions. The GDC offers a vast array educational opportunities in CTHE, for more information please click here .
EMERGENCY training in action
Article by Lori Benoit | lori.benoit@gdc.ga.gov
Achievements Support Reentry Commitment
OCTOBER 2019
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Training staff for various emergency situations plays a vital role in the GDC Office of Professional Standards. Special Agent (SA) Jonathan Spires was able to utilize his training while working off-duty at the Georgia World Congress Center. SA Spires was managing traffic control and security when he was informed that a woman had fallen and injured herself. Immediately, and without hesitation, SA Spires responded to the situation by calling for an ambulance and administering first aid. Through his training, SA Spires was able to remain calm while comforting the woman until the emergency medical services arrived.
On September 14, The Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office requested a multi-agency effort to be prepared for a rally held in downtown Dahlonega, Georgia. The Georgia Department of Corrections TACT squad responded and assisted.
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