IMPACT GEORGIA MAGAZINE
Georgia Corrections Academy
PREPARING THE OFFICERS OF TOMORROW
The Georgia Department of Corrections ( GDC ) is known for its tenacity and determination in any situation . On March 16 , 2020 , a public health emergency was enacted , which shut down the state , thus causing a decline in the hiring and training processes for GDC . This shutdown was daunting to facilities across the state , but the agency worked together to make significant health and safety adjustments . The Georgia Corrections Academy ( GCA ) created an efficient safety plan that allowed training courses to resume while working to lessen the spread of the virus .
To create a safe and effective learning environment , training managers quickly met and discussed new training protocols that would best align with the state ’ s COVID-19 regulations . The team members worked diligently to create new procedures utilizing information from the Center for Disease Control ( CDC ) and the Office of Health Services . The new guidelines implemented social distancing , face mask requirements , temperature checks , attestation forms confirming students did not have symptoms or had not been exposed to the COVID-19 virus and reduced the student body ’ s size . They also increased sanitation throughout the classes to include sanitizing during breaks , between classes , and fogging daily . Hand sanitizer dispensers were placed throughout the buildings and sanitizing mats to sanitize shoes before coming into the buildings .
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