Commissioner: Gregory C. Dozier

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

James Blair Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. – Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier announced the promotion of James Blair to Deputy Warden of Security at Johnson State Prison (SP) effective February 1, 2017. As Deputy Warden, Blair will be responsible for supervising and managing 191 security staff and more than 1,550 medium security male offenders. 

“James has spent 20 years working his way through the ranks with the Agency,” said Commissioner Dozier. “His knowledge and experience will greatly benefit both the security staff and the offenders at Johnson State Prison.”

Blair began his career with the Department in 1996 at Johnson State Prison as a Correctional Officer.  During his tenure at Johnson State Prison, he served as a Correctional Officer II, Outside Detail Officer, C.E.R.T. Sergeant, Recruitment & Retention Lieutenant, and Tactical Squad Commander.  In 2012, Blair became a member of the COBRA Unit with Special Operations and later served as Commander of a COBRA team.  In 2014, Blair was promoted to Chief of Security at Hays State Prison. In 2015, he was promoted to Unit Manager over the Probation Boot Camp and Juvenile Offender Unit at Burruss Correctional Training Center, where he currently serves.

Blair served in the United States Army for seven years as a Finance and Accounting Specialist and received a certification in Finance and Accounting from Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana. He has completed the following departmental training: Basic Correctional Officer Training (BCOT), Basic Management Training (BMT), Advanced Management Training (AMT), Professional Management Training (PMP), Corrections Leadership Institute (CLI), Hostage Negotiation, and Special Operations Training (C.E.R.T. and Tactical).

The 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 478-992-5248 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.