Commissioner: Timothy C. Ward

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

Tonja Keith Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Timothy C. Ward announced the promotion of Tonja Keith to deputy warden of care and treatment at Telfair State Prison (SP) effective June 16, 2019. As deputy warden of care and treatment, Keith will oversee the supervision of educational programs, health services, library services, counseling programs, recreational services and the mental health services of approximately 1,373 close-security male offenders.

“Keith has shown exceptional leadership skills in each position she’s held in the department,” Ward said. “Her work ethic is nothing short of exemplary and the agency looks forward to seeing her grow in her career with GDC.”

Keith began her career with the GDC in 2002 as a correctional officer at Wheeler Correctional Facility (CF). While there, she became a general population counselor and later promoted to unit manager at Jenkins CF. She worked with Department of Juvenile Justice as a part-time mental health counselor. She came to the GDC in 2015 as a mental health counselor II at Baldwin SP. In 2017, Keith was promoted to medical unit manager, also assigned as the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator and assistant American Corrections Association (ACA) compliance specialist at Telfair SP, where she currently serves.     

Keith holds a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, with a minor in human services from Mercer University.  Keith has completed the following departmental training Basic Correctional Officer Training, Supervision I, II and III, and Management I, II and III. 

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 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 478-992-5247 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.

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