New Warden of Hancock State Prison Named

Commissioner : Brian Owens

Director of Public Affairs : Joan Heath

Eric Sellers Reassigned

FORSYTH, Ga. — Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Brian Owens announced the reassignment of Eric Sellers as the new Warden of Hancock State Prison effective July 1, 2014. The facility is located in Sparta, Georgia. Formally Warden of Phillips State Prison, Sellers will now be responsible for overseeing 351 staff members and 1,037 close security male inmates at Hancock State Prison.

“Eric has demonstrated commitment to protecting the public for over 25 years,” said Commissioner Brian Owens. “His valuable leadership experience will undoubtedly be an asset to the staff and inmates at Hancock State Prison.” 

Sellers began his career with the Department of Corrections in 1989 as a Counselor at I.W. Davis. In 1995, he was promoted to Senior Counselor at J.C. Larmore Probation Detention Center (PDC). In 1998, Sellers was promoted to Assistant Superintendent at Larmore PDC. He was promoted in 2004 to Superintendent of Northwest PDC. In 2008, Sellers transferred to Clayton Transitional Center to serve in the same capacity. Sellers was later promoted to Warden at Burruss Correctional Training Center in 2010 and transferred to Phillips State Prison as Warden in 2012, where he most recently served.

Sellers earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Grambling State University.  He is currently working towards his Ph.D in Criminal Justice Research. 

The GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 55,000 state prisoners and more than 160,000 probationers.  It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 12,000 employees.

For more information on the GDC call 478-992-5247 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.