New Assistant Superintendent at Smith Transitional Center

Deidra Edwards Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. –  The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Tyrone Oliver announced the promotion of Deidra Edwards, Unit Manager at Coastal State Prison (SP), to Assistant Superintendent at Smith Transitional Center (TC) effective November 1, 2024. As Assistant Superintendent, Edwards will be responsible for assisting the Superintendent with the daily operations of the facility, overseeing staff, and supervising approximately 202 male residents.

"Deidra has demonstrated a remarkable work ethic during her 21-year tenure with the agency," said Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. "We look forward to her continued commitment to exceptional leadership as she takes on her new role as Assistant Superintendent."

Edwards began her career with the department in 2003 as a Correctional Officer at Georgia SP. In 2014, she was promoted to Behavioral Health Counselor at Rogers SP and later transferred to Georgia SP in that same role. In 2017, she was promoted to Senior Counselor at Montgomery, and in 2018, she was promoted to Chief Counselor. In 2019, she served as Acting Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment at Georgia SP until its closure in 2022. She then transferred to Coastal SP as the Strategic Intervention Program Coordinator and in 2023, she was promoted to Unit Manager at Coastal SP, where she currently serves.  

Edwards received her Associate of Applied Science from Southeastern Technical College, her Bachelor of Science from Troy University, and her Masters in Criminal Justice from Troy University. Her departmental training consists of Basic Correctional Officer Training, Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment Academy, Management I, II, and III, POST Instructor Training, Unit Manager Training, and Emergency Medical Instructor.

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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 approximately 49,000 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.