Commissioner: Timothy C. Ward

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

Tommy Coffee Reassigned

FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Timothy C. Ward announced the reassignment of Tommy Coffee to deputy warden of security at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison (GDCP), effective July 1, 2019. As deputy warden of security, Coffee will be responsible for overseeing approximately 298 security staff members and over 2,700 close-security male offenders.

“Coffee has shown great dedication and leadership in his 26 years of service to the department,” Ward said. “His experience and knowledge of security will serve him and his staff well in his new position.”

Coffee began his career with the GDC in 1993 as a correctional officer at Rivers State Prison (SP).  While at Rivers SP, he served as correctional officer, sergeant and lieutenant.  He also served on the Middle Georgia Correctional Complex Tactical Squad. In 2008, Coffee returned to active duty and upon his return, he transferred to Burruss Correctional Training Center (CTC).  After retiring from the military, he continued working at Burruss CTC and promoted back to lieutenant in 2015.  In 2016, he was promoted to captain at Central SP and in 2017, was promoted to unit manager at Burruss CTC.  In 2018, Coffee was promoted to deputy warden of security at Burruss CTC, where he currently serves.

Coffee holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Phoenix and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in public administration through Columbus State University.  He has completed the following departmental training: Basic Correctional Officer Training, Basic Management Training, Advanced Management Training, Sergeants Academy, Supervision I, II and III, Management I, II and III, POST Instructor Training, Deputy Warden of Security Training and Warden’s Pre-Command.

Coffee proudly served in the United States Army for 26 years, retiring with the rank of command sergeant major.  He completed four combat tours to include Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Afghanistan.

About the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 10,500 employees. For more information on the GDC, call 478-992-5247 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.