New Assistant PREA Coordinator Named

Brian Owens : Commissioner

Director of Public Affairs : Joan Heath

Melvin Butts Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. —Commissioner Brian Owens announced the promotion of Melvin Butts as the Department’s Assistant PREA Coordinator effective January 1, 2015. In this capacity, Butts will be assisting the PREA Coordinator in all matters associated with the National Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), to include preparing for Federal PREA Audits. In addition, Butts will assist in providing consultation, guidance and assistance to facilities and probation staff.

“Melvin’s institutional experience combined with his knowledge and participation on the Pulaski Sexual Assault Response Team will be a tremendous asset to this unit,” said Commissioner Brian Owens. “I am confident that the 17 years of dedicated experience Melvin has with the Department will serve him well in this new role.”

Butts began his career with the Department in 1997 as a Correctional Officer at Pulaski State Prison and served at Pulaski SP for thirteen years in the following capacities: promoted to Sergeant in 2001, promoted to Lieutenant in 2007, and promoted to both Captain and Chief of Security in 2001, where he most recently served. While he served as Chief of Security, Butts also served as the PREA Compliance Manager for the facility for the past five years.

During his career with the Department, Butts has completed the following training courses: Basic Correctional Officer’s Training (BCOT), Facility Inspector’s Training, Sexual Assault Response Team / Investigator’s Training, Basic Management Training, Professional Management Program Training, Advanced Management Training. During his career, Butts also served as the Institutional Security Threat Groups (STG) Coordinator, Facility Inspector, Institutional PREA Compliance Manager, among other committees and duties.  Butts was also a 2010 finalist for Correctional Supervisor of the Year. 

The GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 55,000 state prisoners and more than 160,000 probationers.  It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 12,000 employees.