New Warden at Phillips State Prison

Commissioner: Gregory C. Dozier

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

Shay Hatcher Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. – Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier announced the promotion of Shay Hatcher to Warden at Phillips State Prison, effective October 1, 2018. As Warden, Hatcher will be responsible for overseeing 375 staff members and 851 special mission medium security male offenders.

“Shay has spent 22 years working his way up through the ranks and has shown extraordinary leadership skills in each position he has held,” said Commissioner Gregory C. Dozer. “I am confident that his leadership experience will be an asset to Phillips State Prison.” 

Hatcher joined the department in 1996 at Hays State Prison as a Correctional Officer. He was promoted to Sergeant at Hays State Prison in 1999 and to Lieutenant at Phillips State Prison in 2004. He was promoted to Chief of Security at Northwest Probation Detention Center in 2006 and in 2009, he was promoted to Deputy Warden of Security at Phillips State Prison. In 2010, Hatcher assumed the position of Deputy Warden of Security at Hays State Prison.  He has served as the Warden at Jack T. Rutledge State Prison since 2013. 

Hatcher has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from California Coast University. He has completed the following department training: Basic Correctional Officer Training (BCOT), Basic Management Training (BMT), Professional Management Program (PMP), Corrections Leadership Institute (CLI) and 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.