Commissioner : Gregory C. Dozier

Director of Public Affairs : Joan Heath

Walker State Prison hosts graduation ceremony

FORSYTH, Ga. – On January 13, 38 offenders graduated from the Faith & Character Based (F&CB) program at Walker State Prison. The goal of the F&CB program is to provide a pro-social, programmatic environment for change, and allow participants to explore and choose alternatives to criminal thinking and behavior through emphasis on spiritual, moral and character development.

“The Faith & Character Based program at Walker prepares offenders for reentry while also encouraging inner growth along the way,” said Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier. “The courses offered give offenders a sense of purpose and keep them motivated for change.”  

To graduate, offenders must complete the two-year Faith and Character program, which consists of four phases and eight core classes. Phase one: Foundation (Faith Enrichment and Cultural Diversity), Phase Two: Discovery (Anger Management and Choose to Do Right), Phase Three: Transformation (Effective Communication and Reentry), and Phase Four: Transition (Introduction to Computers and Family Relationships). Offenders must also take at least one elective per quarter, complete 150 hours of community service, and journal for an average of four days per week.

Though other facilities offer the F&CB program through specialized dorms, Walker State Prison became the first and only F&CB prison in the state of Georgia in 2011. Since it’s inception, there have been 371 graduates.

The 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 478-992-5248 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.