New Superintendent at Helms Facility

Commissioner: Timothy C. Ward

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

Dana Cooper Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Timothy C. Ward announced the promotion of Dana Cooper to Superintendent at Helms Facility effective July 1, 2020. As Superintendent, Cooper is responsible for overseeing approximately 33 staff members and 65 male and female offenders.

“Cooper’s experience and expertise has proven to be an asset to the agency,” said Commissioner Ward. “I am confident that under her leadership the staff and offenders will continue to excel at Helms Facility.”

Cooper joined the Department of Corrections in 2011 as a Correctional Officer at Phillips State Prison. In 2012, she was promoted to Counselor at Phillips State Prison, and in 2014 she transferred to the State of Georgia Office of Victim Services and served as a Victim Services Specialist.  She returned to GDC as a counselor at Phillips State Prison in 2016 and rose through the ranks of Senior Counselor and Chief Counselor.  In 2019, Cooper was promoted to Assistant Superintendent at the Atlanta Transitional Center, where she currently serves.

Cooper has earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Western Michigan University. She has completed Basic Correctional Officer Training, Basic Management Training, and is currently enrolled in Wardens Pre-Command.

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.