New Warden at the Special Management Unit

Commissioner: Tyrone Oliver

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

Joseph "Joe" Williams Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Tyrone Oliver announced the promotion of Joseph "Joe" Williams to Warden at the Special Management Unit (SMU) effective May 1, 2023. As Warden, Williams will be responsible for supervising and managing staff and special mission offenders at the facility.

"Williams has been a dedicated employee while working his way up through the ranks during his 19 years with the agency," said Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. "We are confident that he will continue to carry out the GDC mission in his new role at the SMU."

Williams began his career with the Department in 2004 as a Correctional Officer at Calhoun State Prison (SP). During his tenure at Calhoun SP, he was promoted and served as a Tactical (TACT) squad member, Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) member and was selected to serve on the COBRA squad. In 2012, he was promoted to Sergeant at Burruss Correctional Training Center, and in 2013, he was promoted to Lieutenant. In 2017, Williams was promoted to Chief of Security at Metro Reentry Facility, and in 2018 he was promoted to Unit Manager at Burruss Correctional Training Center. In 2021, he was promoted to Deputy Warden of Security at the SMU, where he currently serves.

Williams’ departmental training consists of Supervision I, II and III, Management I, II and III, CERT Basic Training, TACT Basic Training, Effective Communication Training, and numerous Correctional Counseling trainings.

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 47,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 9,000 employees. For more information on the GDC, call 478-992-5247 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.