New Superintendent at Emanuel Probation Detention Center

Katherine Wells Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. –  The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Tyrone Oliver announced the promotion of Katherine Wells, Deputy Warden at Hancock State Prison (SP), to Superintendent at Emanuel Probation Detention Center (PDC), effective September 16, 2025. As Superintendent, Wells will be responsible for overseeing all staff and supervising male offenders at the facility.

"Katherine has worked her way up through the ranks and excelled at each position she has held," said Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. "We are confident her experience and professionalism will serve her well while taking on her new role as Superintendent."

Wells began her career with the Department in 2001 as a Correctional Officer at Rivers SP. She served as a Correctional Officer until 2005, when she transferred to the File Room as a Secretary. Upon the closure of Rivers SP in 2008, Wells transferred to Hancock SP as the Mailroom Clerk and later in 2008 was promoted to Accounting Clerk.  In 2012, she was promoted to an Account Paraprofessional.  In 2015, Wells was promoted to the Business Manager at Washington SP, and in 2018, she was promoted to Deputy Warden of Administration at Hancock SP, where she currently serves. 

Wells has completed the following departmental training: Basic Correctional Officer Training (BCOT), Basic Purchasing, Advanced Purchasing, Supervision I, II, and III and Management I, II, and III, Deputy Warden’s Academy, and Primary Governmental Accounting.

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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 http://www.gdc.ga.gov.